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Best Bum

Smoky

Armed with a guitar, a sign and a smile wider than the Platte River, Smoky's been in the game long enough to claim a coveted corner as his own. Camped out at the busy intersection of Speer Boulevard and West Colfax Avenue, he treats drivers to daily shows, singing, ripping jokes and telling it like it is. No rat-race-humpin' day job is going to cut it for this bluesman of the boulevard, so he needs some money -- bad. But unlike many of his panhandling peers, whose art is often limited to carefully crafted cardboard signs, Smoky's giving something to the people in exchange for a little coin. Isn't that what the free market's all about? C'mon, brother, you can spare a dime.

Best Bum

Smoky

Armed with a guitar, a sign and a smile wider than the Platte River, Smoky's been in the game long enough to claim a coveted corner as his own. Camped out at the busy intersection of Speer Boulevard and West Colfax Avenue, he treats drivers to daily shows, singing, ripping jokes and telling it like it is. No rat-race-humpin' day job is going to cut it for this bluesman of the boulevard, so he needs some money -- bad. But unlike many of his panhandling peers, whose art is often limited to carefully crafted cardboard signs, Smoky's giving something to the people in exchange for a little coin. Isn't that what the free market's all about? C'mon, brother, you can spare a dime.

Best Sidewalk Psychic

Ms. Mac

Ms. Mac doesn't need a crystal ball or a smoking urn full of incense to look into your future. All she needs is a table, tarot cards and your open mind. A small, spry medium of the deck, Ms. Mac doesn't waste time with vague predictions, observations or ego strokes. If the cards say you're shacking up with the wrong girl or guy, she's going to tell you to get out quick. If you're wasting your time in a going-nowhere job, heading for trouble or missing an opportunity to make some money, expect an earful. Ms. Mac reads every Saturday afternoon at Herbs & Arts on East Colfax Avenue; Tuesdays, she's up the street at the funky new-age coffee shop Oh My Goddess. See her only if you're ready to face the truth: Oracles don't get much saucier than this.

Best Sidewalk Psychic

Ms. Mac

Ms. Mac doesn't need a crystal ball or a smoking urn full of incense to look into your future. All she needs is a table, tarot cards and your open mind. A small, spry medium of the deck, Ms. Mac doesn't waste time with vague predictions, observations or ego strokes. If the cards say you're shacking up with the wrong girl or guy, she's going to tell you to get out quick. If you're wasting your time in a going-nowhere job, heading for trouble or missing an opportunity to make some money, expect an earful. Ms. Mac reads every Saturday afternoon at Herbs & Arts on East Colfax Avenue; Tuesdays, she's up the street at the funky new-age coffee shop Oh My Goddess. See her only if you're ready to face the truth: Oracles don't get much saucier than this.

Best Development on Colfax

Original Downtown Aurora Arts District

While Denver's just beginning to define its new vision for Colfax Avenue, twenty years ago Aurora officials looked at a crumbling stretch of the street and decided to create the twelve-square-block Original Downtown Aurora Arts District. That stretch, which is already home to the Aurora Fox Arts Center, will soon see the opening of the $10 million Martin Luther King Library and Municipal Services Center. Next up is the Florence Square mixed-use project, which includes not just housing, commercial and retail space, but artist live/work studios and an Artists Walk area. If Aurora builds it, will they come?

Best Development on Colfax

Original Downtown Aurora Arts District

While Denver's just beginning to define its new vision for Colfax Avenue, twenty years ago Aurora officials looked at a crumbling stretch of the street and decided to create the twelve-square-block Original Downtown Aurora Arts District. That stretch, which is already home to the Aurora Fox Arts Center, will soon see the opening of the $10 million Martin Luther King Library and Municipal Services Center. Next up is the Florence Square mixed-use project, which includes not just housing, commercial and retail space, but artist live/work studios and an Artists Walk area. If Aurora builds it, will they come?

Best Architectural Visionary

Cabell Childress

When University of Denver chancellor Daniel Ritchie embarked on a plan to re-create the campus a decade ago, he enlisted the help of distinguished Denver architect Cabell Childress. The DU of today, dotted with many impressive new buildings done by a host of mostly local architects, owes its distinctive character to the overriding vision of Childress, who imagined it all before any of the structures were even

started. Although Mark Rodgers has now taken over as DU's campus architect, Childress is still architect emeritus -- and the campus stands as testament to his good work.

Best Architectural Visionary

Cabell Childress

When University of Denver chancellor Daniel Ritchie embarked on a plan to re-create the campus a decade ago, he enlisted the help of distinguished Denver architect Cabell Childress. The DU of today, dotted with many impressive new buildings done by a host of mostly local architects, owes its distinctive character to the overriding vision of Childress, who imagined it all before any of the structures were even

started. Although Mark Rodgers has now taken over as DU's campus architect, Childress is still architect emeritus -- and the campus stands as testament to his good work.

Best Addition to the Denver Skyline

Clayton Lane

Although it raised the hackles on the necks of neighbors in Cherry Creek North who

tried to stop it, Clayton Lane is now nearing completion. Built on the former parking lot of the Sears store, the project is a handsome set of neo-modernist buildings that includes offices, condos, retail and a luxury hotel. David Tryba, one of the city's best architects, designed the complex, which is being developed by the Nichols Partnership. The interplay of the various buildings on the tight site is very nice, as is the expert orchestration of the beautiful materials. With Clayton Lane, Denver has a brand-new landmark. And in the highly commercial Cherry Creek, no less!

Best Addition to the Denver Skyline

Clayton Lane

Although it raised the hackles on the necks of neighbors in Cherry Creek North who

tried to stop it, Clayton Lane is now nearing completion. Built on the former parking lot of the Sears store, the project is a handsome set of neo-modernist buildings that includes offices, condos, retail and a luxury hotel. David Tryba, one of the city's best architects, designed the complex, which is being developed by the Nichols Partnership. The interplay of the various buildings on the tight site is very nice, as is the expert orchestration of the beautiful materials. With Clayton Lane, Denver has a brand-new landmark. And in the highly commercial Cherry Creek, no less!

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