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lovodx 05/18/2011 1:54:00 AM
I am also from a small town and understand this concept. Highland Mommies may well help many establishments succeed via word of mouth. This usually comes with request for special exceptions, discounts or privileges that other customers are not a part of. Conversely, if one single person has a qualm with a business, they call out for the heads of that business for feeling jilted. That is not the way to deal with a problem with a local business. I whole-heartedly know that many of the HM are great moms and people individually. However, the group persona of the HM is a very different thing. There are a lot of us out there who have problems with this group, and I hope the HM realize that there is a true reason for this. Though there is a lot of anger, and irrational tirades about the HM on this thread... many defending the HM aren't taking accountability for the valid points and arguments.
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Annie 02/21/2011 7:20:00 PM
I'm not a Highland Mommy but Missy - you sure sound like one sad, bitter pathetic woman. Successful people do not speak/argue the way you did in your post, so I am sure you run one of the dirty and unkept businesses that still exist in that neighborhood.
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Guest 01/14/2011 1:25:00 AM
Chris Smith is a wonderful lady who does a lot for Denver...not just the Highlands. From the article, she was not the one who told the customer to get out, but if someone put their foot up at MY dog...I would have done more than tell them to get out of my store. Guess what MOMMIES? You don't have a right to bring your "in constume" obnoxious children everywhere you go...especially a wine store. Get a clue and maybe even a babysitter.
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D. Quintana 12/28/2010 5:47:00 AM
The truth of the matter is that when women get organized, good things happen. "If you want the job done right, do it yourself". Highland Mommies are Secret Shoppers who are not afraid to tell it like it is or to develop a network of consumer information. If businesses are treating their customers with courtesy, there should be no problem. I am proud to say that my daughter Elina is a Highland Mommy. Since when has showing leadership qualities been something negative? Instead of praising them for refusing to accept mediocrecy; which we all deal with from time to time, why not praise them for trying to add quality to our consumer experiences? From what I read, they are willing to listen to both sides of a story before passing any judegments. My respects to Highlands Mommies and their mission to improve consumer experiences!
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Druid0621 12/26/2010 2:28:00 PM
A new type of urban terrorism. Their kids will probably grow up to be unctuous creeps too.
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CRST 12/23/2010 3:50:00 PM
Sounds like this group is a continuation of high school bullies with a new name. Unfortunately for their community and children, now have a new avenue for their insecurities.
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Missy 12/22/2010 6:35:00 PM
Highlands - "Diverse"? My ass. It's about as "diverse" as Boulder, only with about half the disposable income and property values.
FYI - I'm a business owner in NW Denver, and I am incredibly weary of the yoga pants-wearing, Bugaboo-pushing, brat-dragging clique that is the Highlands Mommies organization. I will suck up to you, because I want my business to thrive - but I truly do abhor you and your offspring. Thank God Westword did this article, so that it (and the comments section) will live on for all eternity and hopefully sound a death knell for this idiotic group.
I'm not impressed by the $12,500 you raised - that works out to just over $4 per member, less than a skinny vanilla latte per. Big friggin' deal.
I can't wait to see this meaningless group of Mean Girls fade away and die. Washington Park managed a very nice renaissance without 2,900 SAHMs running their peroxided mouths - and the property values there are about twice that in Highlands.
Oh, and one more thing: I predict that about half of you HMs will be kicked to the curb, meaningless empty resumes in hand, once your brats reach middle school. If you need an $8 per hour (plus tips) job when that does happen, come by and fill out an application.....
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The Blue Collar 12/22/2010 3:20:00 AM
I don't care what anyone says in these comments, I'm staying out of that area. These women sound like another "Tea Party" waiting to happen. I'm suprised they don't wear jack boots and swastikas on their upper arms. I see another Kristallnacht happening in the near future. And we know what happened during that horrifying time.
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Michele 12/21/2010 11:49:00 PM
That was great Bob. I, on the other hand, have lived in the area for 3 years and never heard about them until now.
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Bob 12/21/2010 8:52:00 PM
BTW, I have little doubt there are Highlands Mommies feverishly trying to figure out who my wife is and how they can retaliate for her husband's insolence. Sorry, honey. I hope we don't get a drive-by eye-rolling.
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Bob 12/21/2010 8:44:00 PM
Hold on, L and Foodforthought. I do have personal experience with this group, about six months of listening to my wife recount how petty, back-biting and downright mean many of its leaders are. I agree, it would be great if their focus was helping children and helping the community, but it's basically a self-glorifying gossip group that likes to come down -- hard -- on anyone they don't like, including members who disagree with them, members who don't dress fashionably enough or businesses that won't "support" their causes or basically cave in to their veiled threats of bad publicity. (The mafia calls that a shakedown, by the way, and someone should investigate HM's "business" function for that reason to see if there is a quid pro quo.) We moved to the area from out of town and my wife was excited to meet other parents and children for our daughter to play with. My wife finally (thankfully) dropped out completely when she became concerned our daughter was learning horrible lessons about gossip and retaliation from overly entitled stay-at-home moms who like to exert power. I suspect other's reporting similar experiences is what alerted Westword to this story and why they began the story with the dog-kicking incident. It's a perfect example of how they operate. The mottow should be "Don't Cross Me, I'm a Highlands Mommy." Don't tell me I don't know this group. On the other hand, I can gleefully get under my wife's skin with a sly smile and two words: Highlands Mommies.
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L-- 12/21/2010 5:48:00 AM
OK, people seriously. The Highlands Mommies have been made out to be so much more drama than actually exists. Without betraying any personal information from the site here is a brief and random list of discussions from the past month. Talk about making a mountain out of mole hill - geeze!
Subject Lines-
Anyone have experience with this medication for children? ...
WANTED: wooden dollhouse
Borrow Pack n' Play?
Re: Language immerion education-or other?
looking for rum cakes
Need a babysitter tonight!
Giving Gals are organizing caroling at the Argyle Senior home
lost kitty help!
Neighborhood Watch Set-Up meeting
(another) car break in
Language Immersion education questions
Starting a book club
There! The curtain lifted! Wow so much strategizing and plotting to rule the world - can you believe this is going on??? Such scandal!
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foodforthought 12/21/2010 2:25:00 AM
I just wonder what all these self righteous complainers on here do for their community? You are talking about an area of Denver where schools have been challenged to "make the mark". If these were men working in their community it would be looked at differntly. Half the people here think this is in Highlands Ranch, its damn near the inner city. What's funnier, is the women here who get on and bitch about women. So much for sisterhood, the women here can't give another woman any credit at all, and the men who defend their wives probably have to speak for them all the time. This article isn't about wine, or crying babies, its about women who have the guts to do something to change their neighborhood. Someone is going to bitch inevitably, but overall I think they are pretty interesting. Keep doing what you do and don't let these bitchers change what you are doing.
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luckyme 12/21/2010 2:13:00 AM
Seriously?? Is this for real??? What a bunch on desperate housewives...I can't believe this story of Gamma Theta pathetic people was even written. Don't you have anything better to do like schedule a "date" so someone will play with your spoiled kids?
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Bob 12/20/2010 9:33:00 PM
I was just forwarded this story and can say I'm completely unsurprised and appreciate Westword taking a look at this group. My wife dropped out after a few months and refused to have anything to do with them precisely because of the Mean Girl mentality and rank abusiveness of it. Complaining and retaliating are not community services, ladies, but the acts of overgrown children. I called them The Sisterhood of Traveling Rants.
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Native NW Denverite 12/20/2010 5:42:00 PM
Why has no one questioned why the dog was in the store? Isn't that a health code violation?
The owner of Winejester came off just as over-entitled as the mother in that story. People who think their dogs are the most important thing in the world are just as bad. And if you are going to have your dog running loose in your store, I hope you are prepared for lawsuits. I would have stuck my foot out also if a dog charged at my children. As for those who wonder why she was there with kids, hello - people need to run errands do so with their kids! She wasn't at Billy's (the old version - ha!) bellying up to the bar, throwing back JD shots.
That being said, YES, NW has been invaded with interlopers who think they can change everything to suit them, and run roughshod over everyone else. I am the third generation born in NW Denver and the fourth to live there (great grandparents from Italy). I came of age in the 80s when NO ONE would come to NW Denver - they were terrified of being shot. And i too am tired of the interlopers who think they are the saviors of this neighborhood, attempting to turn it into a patch of Cherry Hills. Yes, some good things have come from gentrification. But the whole world does not revolve around you and your world view! Stop acting like you are the only person on earth and the universe revolves around you (and your rotten kids). This goes for you as an individual as well as part of a group as profiled in this article.
The indulged brats are everywhere. I currently have the misfortune of living in an area (DC) where there are even more over privileged, spoiled rotten brats. They have never heard the word "no". And I do have children myself. They are taught how to behave in public! Tell your brats "no" once in awhile and teach them some manners! At least watch the Supernanny if you are too stupid to figure out how on your own.
So stop thinking the world revolves around you and your brats - and your dogs too! Show some respect for other people and start teaching your kids to do the same! teach them how to behave in public and have a basic set of manners! And that goes for your dogs too!
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Jennifer 12/20/2010 6:20:00 AM
After reading the story about the Highland Mommies, I have to say these woman need to find something better to do with their time. An online comment stated what a bunch of uppity self-righteous women,and I agree. The woman who complained about the wine store, my question to her, is what was she doing taking her kids into a liquor store in the first place? If these women really want to make a difference try staying at home and teaching their own kids about respect towards other people and responsibility. Something the kids in my area don't have because their parents aren't around. And PLEASE make sure your kids don't get knocked up before they are ready.
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KC 12/20/2010 12:45:00 AM
After reading through the whole article, it seems to me the Highland Mommie's is just a bunch of bored, self-righteous housewives on a crazy power trip. They've built themselves up so high that businesses are afraid to badmouth them, and they can badmouth any business they want. I do believe that the woman got too offended over a hyper puppy touching her precious kids. In her original posting, she acts as if she was told to leave for no reason, at least acknowledge the fact the owner may have been upset because of some incident with her dog. She over-dramatized the situation, and in typical fake suburban politeness, she pretended she wanted to resolve the situation while making it worse. This is a group of bullies and they should just stick to the PTA and leave neighborhood businesses well enough, alone.
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pleasently surprised 12/18/2010 6:37:00 AM
This is a great article. I keep reading all these posts about "suburban" mommies, but I look at the picture of these two women and I am utterly shocked that they are both not at all what I thought they should look like. Two beautiful, ethnic women running a group of "Mommies". I love it!
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adam 12/18/2010 4:02:00 AM
This is getting dirty, I like it. Fuck.
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Laura 12/17/2010 10:43:00 PM
Whoever wrote in as "Adam's Wife" is a baddass! LOVED your post!!!!!!!!! Whoever you are, you should be a comedian!!!! XOXOOX
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LCQ 12/17/2010 10:37:00 PM
Delta, WELL SAID!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! You go girl!
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Mutha 12/17/2010 9:26:00 PM
Adam, if we believed in physical punishment, we would place you over our collective knees and give you a sound spanking. But I have a feeling you would enjoy that and that thought totally creeps me out. You should tell your mom that your hatin' on a bunch of mothers and maybe she'll spank you.
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vegurl 12/17/2010 9:11:00 PM
So this is a group of SAHMs who kick puppies who dare to come near their precious little brats? Nice.
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adam 12/17/2010 8:53:00 PM
Righteousness, sorry.
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adam 12/17/2010 8:49:00 PM
Wow, this is getting fun.
@Adams Wife, my actual wife would beat your fat, suburban ass into the ground for pretending to be the amazing woman she is.
@Mutha, yes, I kiss my mother with this fucking mouth. I kissed your mother last night.
@Mother, I agree mothers have a tough job. My mom worked her ass off in order to create this demon you see before you. I had a great child-hood, and respect the hard work most decent parents exhibit.
@Catherine, I do not work at Garbanzo's, that incident happened a couple years ago.
To you all who have now grown to hate me and my opinions, take this opportunity to teach your children how to behave, maybe they wont turn out to be a foul-mouthed cretin like myself. Wait, what's that? There seems to be a torch-bearing mob gathering outside! So many strollers, they're blotting out the sun! What have I done? You can cut the self-rightenous with a knife! Help! Help! Help!
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PaPa Bear 12/17/2010 8:07:00 PM
Tina Fey said something about Hillary Clinton that works here...
"She is [a bitch]. And so am I. Bitches get stuff done. That's why Catholic Schools use nuns instead of priests... At the end of the year you hated those bitches, but you knew the capital of Vermont."
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Catherine 12/17/2010 7:54:00 PM
I am a Highland Mommie and I think that those of you who are posting negative things about this group are misinformed and assuming the worse. I am in a subgroup that includes children the same ages as mine. This group has been a tremendous support to me and my kids. This is not a snobby or noninclusive group of people; it is Denver Highlands not Highlands Ranch. Jenn, my subgroup includes a few dads and a lesbian couple. Adam, do you work at Garbanzo's in Highland's Square? If so, I saw that family (it was the dad not the mom) that was changing their baby on the table. Of course, that is wrong but it does not represent the HM group. (Maybe they should put a changing table in the bathroom.) If you hate the people in Highlands go work in a different neighborhood.
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Ernest Silva 12/17/2010 7:00:00 PM
I must say this has to be one of the best articles I have read in some time. I think if there were more organizations like this one in every community the country as a whole would be a better place to live.
Supporting you local business, schools, etc is what it is all about. We all as a human race can survive and do well if we could all come together and work with each other. We live in a world where no one talks to each other anymore and our social skills have been declining over the years.
Your organization is not much different then facebook, which is a huge success. However, instead of typing on the computer you all get together on a regular basis and work with each other to make your community thrive and a better place to live.
This may turn into something huge. I wish I had an organization in my community that cared about our local schools, vendors, and quality of life.
Keep up the good work LaVerne Herrera Hay!!! I am proud to see you run an organization like this one.
Your Friend,
Ernest J Silva
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nick 12/17/2010 4:43:00 PM
Here is the truth and some of you who are not natives may have on idea what this is truly about. North Denver was built on Families, huge Italian families, that worked together to get buy during war and depression. North West Denver finally has this back… Without the double income families with children, this would still be a sorry beaten down corner of Denver. The Highlands was rich in history but full of low income rentals and crime. If the people who hate the Highland Mommies so much would take the time and look at the value of the home their home in the Highlands they may have a more open mind and a little more patience for the fussy child in the adjacent table at dinner. Without that influx of money there would not be those restaurants, bars and shops. My assumption is that the people who truly hate this group are not natives; they are transplants that need a history lesson. If this is not the area or group of people you enjoy, there is always Aurora…. Happy Holidays
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Mamma 12/17/2010 4:12:00 PM
Mother's have the most important and toughest job there is and need all the support they can get. When Mom's feel frustrated, lonely and distraught, they are more likely to turn out children who grow up to be like James, David and Adam.
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patricia calhoun 12/17/2010 4:06:00 PM
If any of you would like your comments included in the print edition (where we like to include full names/towns, but not e-mail addresses), please e-mail me at patricia.calhoun@westword.com
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Mutha 12/17/2010 3:50:00 PM
How dare we put our shoes on, leave the kitchen and then the house and do some good for the neighborhood? We must have forgotten our place. What were we thinking? We have forgotten that once we have a child we lose our voice in the community. Oh, the nerve of us! And why would we frequent places like Mead St. Station, that offer high chairs and children's menus? They offer enticements to bring our children in but how can we be so brazen to actually accept their acceptance?
Those that refer to the 'mean girls' and the 'mafia' are focusing on the very rare, less than 1% of members and posts. Negative postings are strictly enforced and highly discouraged. Not many online communities can boast the supportive atmosphere we have. For those of you being so negative, I'm sure you find negativity everywhere you look and that is unfortunate for you. There's nothing wrong with making friends and giving back to the community. Even if you do happen to have children. Adam - do kiss your mother with that mouth?
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Melissa 12/17/2010 3:27:00 PM
It's a sign of an uneducated and immature mind when a person uses such hurtful and vulgar means to express him/herself. Whether Adam or an irate HM, when we speak to each other with the intent to hurt, we make the world darker. Any of you who have commented here or on the HM list with the intent to hurt have absolutely done so. Shame on you, and I request that you reconsider when you make such choices in the future. The world and your neighborhood will be a better place for it. I intend to raise my son to behave both in restaurants and on public comment lists.
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Me 12/17/2010 3:19:00 PM
Adam, a group of mom's who change their baby on the table and leave the diapers behind do not represent a group. I am a HM and I consider myself to be a courteous person. I don't bring my child into bars after a certain time of day, I don't change my children on tables and I certainly would never expect somone to clean up after me. I am not a business owner nor do I take the time to bully businesses. What I do get is a lot of support from women who I might never have known that I have now formed lasting friendships with. I can swap child care, share ideas for the various challenges that come with raising a child. I don't have family here and I feel lucky all the time that this group was formed so that I could feel the support of my neighbors. I love that I can go into the directory and find tried and true referrals for businesses that do good work. I have never thrown my Highland's Mom group membership around. In fact, if you met me or saw me out and about in the hood then you would probably know that I am one of "them". Do not judge this group by a few situations that happened with a few women. As with anyone, you can't judge those particular women by ONE situation nor should you judge a group of 2000 by what a you've observed a few to do. My guess is that you have probably crossed paths with the other 1995 and maybe have even had a pleasant interation...but you just didn't know that they were ((GASP!)) Highland's Moms.
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fluffy 12/17/2010 1:56:00 PM
just wondering why the complaining "HM"'s who are on here bitching stay joined? If you don't really like the group, leave.
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Adams Wife 12/17/2010 1:53:00 PM
Adamn, frankly as your depressed childless wife I can't bear to "breed" with you. You are a "pretentious, demanding twat". "The most extreme example" I have is of your You tantrums at home are similar to the one here, "but I've dealt with spoiled breed" right here in this "neighborhood for several years". Frankly, I am sick of you. Maybe we should divorce, and you move to a "coven" of all men where you can sit around and scratch your ass, complain about your shitty life and start an "start an opposing organization" or "coven", and overall "your a screaming spawn" who is running "amok as you blah, blah, blah". I wish you would get off the computer with your bitching, but when you finally do peel your fat ass away I will be gone! "Mwahahhahaha! This pleases me"
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JR 12/17/2010 5:50:00 AM
HM is a group of whining, aging housewives with some benign "power" to complete the neighborhood's HUNI-do list through their incessant nagging. After that, it's a marketing list to promote their crummy stay-at-home-mom jobs, often soliciting some skeptical "donations".
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1HMmom 12/17/2010 4:50:00 AM
This is not about Highlands Ranch! This is about The Highlands aka The North Side (Mexican Food, Italian Food, Young, Elderly, History, Education Reform, Smart Parents, Savvy Business Owners, good people all round). Welcome to the world of what parents can do in creating community. Stop by, you will probably want to stay.
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Beth 12/17/2010 4:23:00 AM
One of the reasons we love living in Sunnyside is the diversity. My neighbors range from older couples who built the home they are living in to young families (like mine) to single urban professionals. HM is only one contingent of our 'hood. This article could have made more of the point that NW Denver is in the midst of a renaissance of a sort. People are choosing to stay put and raise their families in the city and that is significant.
And by the way Adam and David: when you get to the place in your lives when you decide to marry and have children, you will realize that you don't want life as you know it to end. You will still drink wine (probably even more than you did before), you will still want to eat at great restaurants, you will still want to shop in hip stores, etc. You will love your children and you will want to bring them with you to the places that you love. Grow up and get over it. Maybe I'll see you around the 'hood in 10 years...you'll be the Highlands Daddies with your *perfectly behaved* (and leashed) kiddos annoying me while I dine (sans children) at the latest and greatest Highlands hot spot.
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Rachel T 12/17/2010 3:22:00 AM
This is an interesting article in terms of characterizing the "Mommies" in a very theatrical, over-the-top Sopranos kind of way... but it seems a little bit too easy (unethical?) to biasly stereotype Highlands Ranch women in this way. I think you make a stronger comment about the power of social media and internet reivews in our modern times more than anything else.
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J 12/17/2010 2:05:00 AM
I applaud the HM for all the hard work they have done for the local schools and businesses. However, as a mom in the community I have felt the "mafia" feeling of the group and choose not to be a part. I grew up in this neighborhood, I used to call the "northside", and feel that what came into the neighborhood was a good thing and a bad thing. The good thing, it raised the value of my property. The bad thing, it has been overrun with people and businesses with a "conform or get out of town" attitude. So I'm split...
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We are not the BogeyMan 12/16/2010 10:58:00 PM
I disagree with how Westword opened this article about a negative e-mail about a business; however, make sure you finish reading the article because it also states how the HMs absolutely do not condone this type of defammation. As a Highland Mommy who peruses the list serve daily, I have witnessed a couple of incidents similar to this. Each time, the original e-mail has been promptly removed and there have been several follow-up e-mails from other HMs who disagree with this behavior.
I'm sorry that a few of you don't like children and feel you need to express this here in an extremely vulgar manner. They are a reality in this neighborhood. While it's possible they exist in a group of almost 3,000 members, I don't know any HMs who act the way you describe them.
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lubalisa 12/16/2010 10:27:00 PM
I also wonder...since many people keep referring to reading beyond the first few paragraphs...if this cover article in Westword is REALLY just about the Highland Mommies group. Why did you take this opportunity to trash a local business (that obviously has a dedicated client base and supports the community and provides jobs to local people)?
Your concept for the article (with it's opening vitriol) is vindictive, ego-based and self serving.
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lubalisa 12/16/2010 10:10:00 PM
Lisa and Lubalisa are not the same person. I just can't believe that this "TRASH" story made it into Westword. If you would have catapulted my dog (if I had one) into the air...I would have banished you too!
Winejester is a GREAT store with great people! I will go back. And shame on you for taking an unfortunate situation and trying to destroy a small business for your petty personal hurt.
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Delta 12/16/2010 9:46:00 PM
For all of you that are Boo-Hooing this article, think of this. Westword picked one post as an example. Period! Let's face it, the intention of a social media group is to be able to share with other like minded people. In this case there are over 2 thousand like minded people.
I ask you... did you read the whole article or only the first few paragraphs???
If you are a HM, you know that this is a terrific resource for those of us who have children and are doing our best to "figure it out". I personally don't have family close by and this group is the next best thing! Instead of feeling alone and frustrated, I can quickly feel connected to other "mommies" who are in my neighborhood and feel the same way I do. That is the glue that makes this group stick. It's not about making or breaking a business, it's not about a small group of mean girls, it's not about political issues. It's about 2 thousand people who are looking out for each other. I can email my mother who is an ocean away... or I can email an immediate and local group of people just like me. For those of you who have negative things to say, I can only imagine that you are either jealous or don't have kids!
Then I ask you... do you currently devote 20+ hours a week to something you believe in? I am not a moderator nor would I ever be because as much as I love this group I am too selfish to devote that much time. I am grateful to those who are willing to take the time and energy to create something this powerful and wonderful. They don't get paid, they are called names, they have to jump in when things are not pleasant, and they do it because the believe in this resource.
So, if you are one of the negative nellies out there... maybe you should start a new group and devote your time to making this world a little easier, and then maybe, just maybe, someone will listen to you!
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Tammy 12/16/2010 8:39:00 PM
The Highland Mommies as it seems do much more harm than good. The story about that wine shop and the dog is just the tip of the iceberg. Not all bad but there is a reason that they strike fear in the hearts of business owners in North Denver. More horror stories trust me.
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twinmama 12/16/2010 8:05:00 PM
I am so glad Highlands Mommies got a moment to shine, it is such a wonderful group to be part of! Even though I am not the most active member, I see many of the great things this group does. Helping the homeless woman on the street corner, bringing treats to the elderly, finding lost dogs (and loveys!) I have found terrific friends and playgroups for my little totts, I have traded goods and services, and participated in great family events. Some seem to think Highlands Mommies is a group of "privileged" women, and this is so far from the truth. We come from all backgrounds, all different countries, all different incomes, political, religious views and family situations. We have lots of gay/lesbian parents, we have lots of dads, single parents and even grandparents in our wonderful community.
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ProNeighborhood 12/16/2010 7:44:00 PM
As a homeowner in NW Denver, why wouldn't I want the community banding together to fight crime, volunteer at schools, encourage farmers markets, help local businesses grow?
I bought my place 10 years ago for $80K and is now appraised at 250K, I believe it wouldn't have happened without the community involvement of the Highland Mommies. You have made this a great neighborhood, its nice to see families here invested in making this area thrive!
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adam 12/16/2010 7:07:00 PM
Mwahahhahaha! This pleases me.
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MomHM 12/16/2010 6:43:00 PM
LCQ - Changing a diaper on a table in a restaurant is not only a health code violation, but it is extremely rude. I have two kids under two and can manage to change both their diapers in any given tiny stall in the smallest of bathrooms (I've even done it inn an airplane bathroom).
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a_HM_too 12/16/2010 6:40:00 PM
I must admit, the way this article started, it didn't paint a very positive picture of the HM.
Truth is, a bad review of a local place is very rare, and when I do see one, there are about 10 comments refuting the claim. I joined because I had a baby and just wanted to meet other mothers in the same boat that were also on maternity leave and available to go on a walk at the last minute. I have met some very good friends through these play-dates, and it is convenient to not have to drive across town so your child can play with another (especially true before your kids enter school).
I am a normal person and I don't go around feeling entitled because I am part of a moms group. I have friends outside the neighborhood and do not just stay within the boundaries of the highland to shop/eat/hang out. However, I do want to see the neighborhood succeed and for the schools to become stronger; how is that different from any other mommy (or homeowner) in any other neighborhood?
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LCQ 12/16/2010 6:05:00 PM
First of all, we wouldn't have to change our diapers on tables if the restaurants were kind enough to put changing tables in the bathrooms...obviously, Adam, you don't have children or you would understand, and with a mouth like that I hope you never do.
Lovodx - I am from a small town and without a sense of community, businesses would not survive. The Highlands neighborhood is essentially a small town within a bigger city. The power of the Highland Mommy group has allowed many businesses to prosper.
BooOnTheHiMafia - I do agree with your comment on the Wine Jester and do feel the end result of the story should have been posted earlier in the article, but that is the power of journalism. The goal is to create drama, which this article obviously did. In response to the rest of your post, my high school years were very much fulfilled and I am blessed to be able to have a group of moms to use as a resource. All of us our successful in our own ways and being a bully or being seen as a "strong arm" is the last thing on our agenda.
David - Sarah Palin? I can assure you that most of the families in this neighborhood are Democrats...perhaps you could find a better comparison? Again, most of us do shopping in the 'hood to support the local businesses. What have you done for your neighborhood lately?
James Novak - Funny you should mention Highland Pacific, as they have a family night every week, and I believe Mondo Vino handed out full sized candy bars for Halloween, so my guess is they embrace children, and since I know the owner has three kids of his own, I know they do. And frankly, without wine none of us would be sane, right?
**In summary, we are lucky to have an organization such as the HM. Many neighborhoods are not us lucky as we to have such a great resource!
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Jenn 12/16/2010 5:28:00 PM
As a mother this is really embarrassing. A community is a collection of all its members - (the elderly, gay and lesbian, singles, couples). Will I appreciate the initial efforts of HM, it has grown into a mafia monster of elitist women promoting their businesses and take down anyone who dares to question them. Before I moved to Highlands I was told I needed to join HM because they basically ran the neighborhood and that they were a "moms group on steroids" and they would boost my business. This did not seem healthy to me as I a much more than just mother and I don't want my business to grow under the thumb of HM. Dear Herthought, I assume you are a HM, because you chastised Lisa for having an opinion and others who commented (typical entitled HM). Highland Mommies, I hope you take this chance to see that there is a huge amazing world outside West Denver and a community is much more than Mommies.
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Sarah 12/16/2010 5:24:00 PM
Exhausted parents letting their children run amok in public places isn't just confined to the Highlands neighborhood- it is everywhere in Denver. I'm a member of the site and I do not have children or live in the neighborhood (any longer). I initially signed up to find out about local crime and other goings on. You do have "crazies" on the site like the co-sleepers/, people who specifically name a sitter/nanny/business and tell people to never use them but not why BUT 99.5% are honest, informed, nice people. I have found a fantastic handyman, plumber and gotten recommendations for other services close to where I live. It is kinda like craigslist- you can read every posting or ignore them all or just pick and choose to read what interests you. Maybe the HM's have the power to persuade but so does a publication like the Westword.
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Jenn 12/16/2010 4:51:00 PM
As a mother in the Highlands I am completely embarrassed by the Highlands Mommies influence over this community. While I appreciate how HM was initially conceived it has developed into a ring of self-righteous women. A community is a place the includes all members - Mothers, Fathers, children, elderly, single, couples without children, gay and lesbian (with or without children) handicap and yes drunken men have a voice. These Mafia-Mommies" have slowly taken away the voice of everyone else in the community. I am sick of how these women parade selflessly promoting their own businesses around without any consideration for the Community works as a whole. "HERTHOUGHT" is a perfect example of how these entitled, self promoting mommies act - they believe they are doing good (for themselves only), but they attack all others who dare to question them. "HerThought" suggested Lisa is insecure and depressed because she dares to have an opinion against HM and suggesting the other comments are from drunk men without families is ridiculous and completely ignorant. WAKE-UP Highland Mommies there is a big beautiful world outside of West Denver and there are many great people (Non-mommies) you should meet.
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L-- 12/16/2010 4:30:00 PM
So as I reading these comments -and I am on the HM listserve- what exactly is the difference between the people who post their opinions here and what's posted on HM? Really it's surprisingly similar. (lot less F-bombs on HM.)
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Herthought 12/16/2010 1:14:00 PM
Let me get this straight: These women, all 2784 of them are working, volunteering, community issues, raising kids, and taking pride in there community and you all have a problem with it? Lisa sounds insecure and obviously depressed, she should get out of this group if it's so bad. Lubalisa must not have gotten past the first paragraph maybe the words were to big, but I am guessing it is just the same Lisa from before, again, depressed. Note her effort to point out how poor she is and overall again "depressing". The other comments are from a bunch of drunken men who not only are lonely, but probably eating and drinking out alone because they have no family, no friends, no one. Say what you will, they must be doing something right, they made the article, and the cover. I think these men are intimidated by smart women, easy to wine here in this forum. Men, you realize you do need to find one who is willing to carry that seed because men are not capable of pulling that off on your own.
Cheers.
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James Novak 12/16/2010 8:09:00 AM
Instead of complain about local business why don't they catty mommies do something about keeping children out of the local restaurants?
I can't tell you how many times I have had a meal ruined because some Highland Mommy brought their spoiled brat of child into a local drinking establishment. Children shouldn't be in Meade Street Station, Highland Pacific or Mondo Vino. If the businesses have to allow these little trolls in, could we at least enforce some sort of leash law?
Here is a clue Highland Mommies, stay out of the bars and do your job as a "Mommy"
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david 12/16/2010 6:17:00 AM
The Highland Mommies organization is a platform for some women without a sense of importance to feel important, who are then buttressed by their community of women who only share one thing in common: fertility. Personally, I avoid anything with the Highland Mommies label as it implies arrogance, false superiority and snarkiness. It's a little like a thousand Sarah Palins decending on our neighborhood, except they can't see Alaska because they won't go out of the hood they think they dominate. No thanks Mafia.
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BooOnTheHiMafia 12/16/2010 6:03:00 AM
The Highland Mommies are run by a self-possessed cadre of mean girls who finally have a voice after what surely were unfulfilled high school years. The comment about the Highland Mommies being bullies is true. They are a joke rapidly becoming an embarrassment in the neighborhood. The decent ones are ashamed of the rest. Feeling big because you can 'ruin' a small business or individual trying to make a living is nothing to be proud of. The people in the Highland Mommies who perpetuate this behavior are sorely mistaken into thinking they actually make a difference--locally or not. Oh, and shame on the Post for making the Wine Jester sound bad until the reader gets farther into the story for the other side. Very sloppy writing. I'm thinking a visit to Wine Jester for a bottle of vino is in order...
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one of them 12/16/2010 4:13:00 AM
This story is written about an organization of mommies who happen to have some influence in the neighborhood. Mostly good influence.
Adam just wishes that he could be a mommie too. Sorry, Adam.
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Nottellin 12/16/2010 3:36:00 AM
Rumor is that there was video of the incident with the puppy punting from the security camera. Just post that and then let them defend try to defend their actions.
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lovodx 12/16/2010 2:35:00 AM
This is long overdue. I am sure many of the mommies are great nice people as individuals but this group has become a Leviathan. They are jokingly called the highland mafia all over because they are bullies. No business would bad mouth them because of their rep for blackballing businesses. I am so sick of these women who seem to think they are so damn important. Everyone in restaurant and retail can't stand your rude holier than thou group...
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Lubalisa 12/16/2010 2:31:00 AM
Winejester is a great store, a great asset to the neighborhood with a very smart staff.
I simply won't believe this article. I know better.
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modchen 12/16/2010 2:17:00 AM
gee, some overly-entitled Get Out Of My Way, I'm A Mommy with too much disposable income takes a bunch of children into a *wine store*, and then, when their puppy gets excited because a bunch of little people just came in, she kicks their dog?
i'd love to know who that woman is. i would *love* to know.
i've done some time in retail. not recently; but i do know that must have been one mellow, conscientious clerk, and stuffed with goodwill towards men in the bargain. if someone pranced into my place of business and proceeded to kick my animal, there's no way i'd react that well.
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adam 12/16/2010 12:51:00 AM
Coming from the perspective of working at various restaurants in the Highlands for several years, fuck all of you over-privileged breeders. You allow your screaming spawn to run amok as you blah, blah, blah on the cell, change diapers on tables where people eat, and generally behave as if having a child/being impregnated makes you a queen. Again, fuck you.
