Sun Valley

Photos: Ten notable Denver police shootings

News that no charges would be made against the three police officers who nearly beat Alex Landau to death in 2009 has brought renewed scrutiny to the Denver Police Department, especially when it comes to the question of race. Jared Jacang Maher explored these questions in his 2008 feature "Target Pr ... More >>

Photos: Top ten suggestions to make Denver a better bike city

For "On a Roll," our feature on cycling, we connected with many local bike advocates, who have a wide range of perspectives on what officials can do to make Denver a top urban center for biking. Concerns about the rise in bike-car collisions, and the sometimes fatal results, have pushed these ideas ... More >>

Michael Hancock takes cabinet to community for a preview of tonight's de-Brucing briefing

Mayor Michael Hancock held his second "Cabinet in the Community" town-hall meeting Saturday morning at the transformed Rude Recreation Center in west Denver -- a physical manifestation of his campaign promise to "reconnect people to their government." Even if there were more government representativ ... More >>

Parks and Rec hosts open houses at rec centers as membership numbers decline

Denver Parks and Recreation is holding open houses at its recreation centers to showcase their amenities "and hopefully gain some new members and excite our existing members about what we have to offer," says spokeswoman Angela Casias. Since Parks and Rec increased its fees in January, membership ha ... More >>

Gang-related deaths are on the rise in Denver

Also read: Denver's plan to cool down gang violence

Photos: Lakewood Gulch ribbon-cutting celebrates Sun Valley, Baby Matthew

In our recent epic tome about the rehabilitation of the South Platte River, we told you about improvements to Lakewood Gulch. The trickling tributary in Sun Valley was for years walled in by concrete in an attempt to corral its flow -- a dangerous situation that proved deadly in 2007 when a two-year ... More >>

Photos: Lakewood Gulch art prank celebrates day drinking, off-leash dogs

Peter Miles Bergman is drawn to the unsanctioned. In 2004, the founder of art-prank society The Institute of Sociometry made his backyard into a faux parking lot to showcase how ridiculous it was that homeowners near the Broncos stadium couldn't sell parking or even to give it away. This year, Bergm ... More >>

After ignoring the South Platte River for decades, Denver is once again panning for gold

Video: Take a fast-forward ride down the South Platte River trail

Lowry Leeks are prized for their lighter Denver flavor: Kenny Be's Hip Tip

​ Lowry leeks are closely related to Denver Onions but have a sweeter, creamier, more delicate urban flavor. Prized by residents who seek urban flavor without all the dicing and tears, Lowry leeks are extremely hardy and many will grow in a compact space...

University Park turban squash improves observing conditions: Kenny Be's Hip Tip

​ The University Park turban squash is a colorful heirloom that inspired the design of University of Denver's Chamberlin Observatory back in 1889. Just as the observatory helps students look deep into the night sky, the buttercup-type squash is better for gazing than grazing...

Skyland mushroom spawn contains the fungi needed for better futures: Kenny Be's Hip Tip

​ Much like the residents of the Skyland neighborhood, fungal mats are the most prolific biological entities on the planet and respond with inherent intelligence to stressed environments by recycling plant and animal debris into a nutritious food source...

Overland potatoes grow deep in rich, soiled history: Kenny Be's Hip Tip

​ Montana City, the area's first platted township, was founded in September 1858 on the east banks of the South Platte river near West Evans Avenue. The following spring, the cabins were dismantled and floated downriver to be rebuilt at the confluence of Cherry Creek. Rufus "Potato" Clark then ... More >>

South Platte light industry yellow onion adds aromatic flavor to Denver: Kenny Be's Hip Tip

​ Long before light industry's varnish and diesel fumes flavored the air of the South Platte neighborhood, truck farms utilized the area's fertile river bottom soil to grow the aromatic vegetable used to flavor the dishes of Denver dinner tables...

Seedy cartoonist to bedazzle urban farmers at Denver County Fair: Kenny Be's Hip Tip

​ The illustration above appeared as the third panel of my "Predictions 2011" Worst-Case Scenario comic in the December 30, 2010 issue of Westword. I was predicting that the success of the Denver County Fair would turn all loft and apartment residents into rooftop and balcony farmers. But, in ... More >>

Globeville eggplant is a healthy and habit-forming meat substitute: Kenny Be's Hip Tip

​ Throughout its history, Globeville has been separated from Denver by the South Platte River, the railyards and two interstate highways. Consequently, the isolated residents have created a kingdom with a unique urban-farming culture. Globeville eggplant, a member of the tobacco family, is the ... More >>

Athmar Park fennel plants help clear eyesight and the air: Kenny Be's Hip Tip

​In Greek mythology, Prometheus stole fire from Zeus and stored it in the hollow stalks of Athmar Park fennel to free mankind from the brutish ignorance of the gods. Today, the plant grows wild in the yards of neighborhood bungalows and is eaten raw as a natural treatment for glaucoma and to c ... More >>

Congress Park cauliflower grows best in a cool neighborhood: Kenny Be's Hip Tip

​Built in 1887, 1906 and 1955 respectively, Capitol Hill Basins Numbers one, two and three were built in Congress Park to hold a three-day supply of water for the 105,000 Denver residents who lived downtown. Consequently, Congress Park Cauliflower has always thrived in the cooler, moister atmo ... More >>

16th Street Mall bright lights Swiss chard mix is a big-city favorite: Kenny Be's Hip Tip

​ To know 16th Street Mall Swiss chard is to love its tender and delicious, if somewhat meaty, flavor. Originating in large, mallside Downtown Denver planters, this big-city bright lights strain of chard is a celebration of all that is colorful in the capital city of Colorado...

Bear Valley watercress is the water weed that turns back time: Kenny Be's Hip Tip

​ Originally found along the banks of Bear Creek, the vitamin-rich medicinal qualities of Bear Valley watercress attracted seniors in search of better health to settle the neighborhood in the mid-1960s. Now grown in water gardens across the city, Bear Valley watercress is highly prized for it' ... More >>

Valverde tomatillo is the tart Westsider that gets sweet in the heat: Kenny Be's Hip Tip

​ Valverde is a historic west side neighborhood that is a complex blend of light industry and single-family housing. It is the perfect place to grow Valverde tomatillo. A member of the tomato family, the Valverde tomatillo plant bears bright green fruits with a taste that is a complex blend of ... More >>

Elyria-Swansea heirloom tomato performs well in gardens and coliseums: Kenny Be's Hip Tip

​ Dating back to the 1911, the Elyria-Swansea heirloom tomato was developed by stockyard workers who wanted to create the perfect beefsteak tomato. It has since become a Mile High favorite that is undoubtedly destined to be the first blue ribbon winner at the Denver County Fair...

Clayton sweet potato is more flavorful than white cousin: Kenny Be's Hip Tip

​ Clayton sweet potato is a North American native that was cultivated in Polynesia long before western exploration, and was ranked highest among all vegetables in nutritional value by the Center for Science in the Public Interest. It's no wonder that the Clayton sweet potato is considered more ... More >>

Baker green peas movement inspires direct action: Kenny Be's Hip Tip

​ Developed by hippies in the early 1970s, Baker green peas have been specially adapted for the cooler climate of the Baker neighborhood lifestyle. Guaranteed to produce a diversity of sustainable and nurturing pods, gardeners in all Denver neighborhoods are encouraged to give Baker green peas ... More >>

West Colfax kohlrabi is the chicken soup of the soil: Kenny Be's Hip Tip

​ By 1904, West Colfax Avenue, originally the southern road from Denver to Golden, had become the main street of the Denver Jewish community. A longtime favorite of the "Mile Chai" West Colfax neighborhood is chicken vegetable soup made with Sloan Lake turnip, U-Hills parsnip and West Colfax K ... More >>

Lincoln Park asparagus is the crown jewel of Denver vegetables: Kenny Be's Hip Tip

​ Lincoln Park asparagus can be grown from seeds or crowns, but the latter method respects the prestige of Lincoln Park. Home to the Santa Fe Arts District, Denver Health Hospital, West High School, Xcel Energy Zuni Generation Station and the 105-year-old Buckhorn Exchange, Lincoln Park is the ... More >>

Sun Valley horseradish roots grow fast in the shadow of Invesco Field: Kenny Be's Hip Tip

​ In addition to being the home of Invesco Field at Mile High, Sun Valley has the lowest median age (thirteen) of all Denver neighborhoods. And much like inner-city children and fans of Denver Broncos football, Sun Valley horseradish root sets will grow wild with minimal supervision...

Jeff Puckett's helicopter gets Denver closer to God

Midget contemplates kicking crocodile ass and other wall-art shoe tributes: Kenny Be's Sign Language

Photo by Kenny BeMidget in big boots contemplates the kicking of some crocodile ass.​ Valverde: The hand-painted sign pictured above covers the entire east wall of El Nuevo Rancho Grande on West Alameda at Clay Street. The artist leaves it up to the viewer's imagination to decide whether the ... More >>

Q&A with Eric Gilbert of Finn Riggins

​Eric Gilbert, Lisa Simpson and Cam Bouiss formed Finn Riggins in the small town of Hailey, Idaho, in August of 2006. Since that time, the band has put out five releases. Three of those albums were released on the Portland, Oregon-based Tender Loving Empire label including the act's latest, Vs. Wi ... More >>

Another year, another Warren Miller flick: Dynasty at Paramount this week

​Old man Miller doesn't have much to do with the films that bear his name these days, but his dynasty lives on all the same: Denver screenings of the annual ski porn from Warren Miller Films are as reliable as the changing of the seasons. Warren Miller celebrated his 85th birthday last month, ... More >>

Denver's top ten underutilized neighborhood business districts: The next hot 'hoods!

Denver Public LibraryIn 1986, before Highland Square was Highland Square​ I got into a conversation at a party this weekend about which neighborhood business district in Denver might emerge as the next cool place. Or, as real estate agents like to say, an "up-and-coming location." People who s ... More >>

Video: Teens spraypainting Rude Rec Center! And that's a good thing....

I got a call a few weeks ago from Jolt, local graffiti OG and head of the graffiti advocacy group Guerilla Garden. "Hey, man," said Jolt, aka Jeremy Ulibarri. The background was noisy, like a freight train or an... indoor swimming pool? "We're doing that project I was telling you about today. Yo ... More >>

Delegating Denver #16 of 56: Idaho

Young and Growing

Delegating Denver #3 of 56: American Somoa

Absolutely Fabulous

Denver is a little bit duller without the life and art of John Haeseler.

Garden Party

Fairview fifth-graders sprout success in Sun Valley.

Bite Me

That's All, Folks

To Market, to Market

Osage Mercado goes public

Best Cultural Market

Osage Mercado

The Bounce-Back Kid

Professional snowboarder Chris Klug carves his way back to the top of the mountain.

Edge

Westword's Guide to teh '96-'97 ski and snowboard season

Letters