Fireworks. They’re loud. They’re colorful. They’re only legal parts of the year.

Where do you like to go to see the local-government-sanctioned explosions? We’ll be at Broomfield County Commons Park this year, because it’s walking distance from our house. Last year, we were driving to a gathering in Thornton, and saw several of the north metro city displays from the car. Westminster, Broomfield, Northglenn, Thornton … saw parts of all of them, from the relative safety of the car. Not that I recommend trying to watch fireworks while driving.

Tell us where you’re going tonight, if anywhere. Then tomorrow, let’s check back in and review the various displays throughout the city.

With apologies to abisset for hijacking a thread, I wanted to bring this little issue out of the comments from the last post and open a wider discussion here.

In the last post, abisset asked about the future of the 16th Street Mall, and I promptly insisted there was nothing afoot. Valerie quickly reminded me that a quick search is a handy thing to conduct before speaking, and so I jumped on a belated Google search and found the following information.

Denver Infill Blog has a nice write-up about the history of the Mall, and some of the issues its faced, as well as the architectural awards and attention.

The Downtown Denver Partnership has a 16th St. Mall Project Page, which includes a recap of the April 8th Meeting. Basically, the Mall is 25 years old, and it’s time for a review. The discussion at the Denver Infill Blog brings up some interesting ideas, including the idea of introducing streetcars to the Mall.

So here’s where you all chime in. What do you think? Should vehicle traffic be allowed on the mall? What improvements would you suggest? Let’s hear it. I think it would be pretty wicked cool to write up a page of Metroblog Endorsed Recommendations, and submit our ideas to the Steering Committee. They’ve asked for input, and we have a great forum to provide some quality input from diverse viewpoints.

The game felt like it got off to a bit of a slow start, but it didn’t take long for the crowd to get into it. When people say there is nothing like playoff hockey, they aren’t kidding. On top of that, when you’re packed in a building that’s truly full of Avs fans – people who know and appreciate quality hockey – it makes for a very enjoyable experience. Even the guy next to us who felt it was his God-given duty to heckle Backstrom (who clearly couldn’t hear him) was entertaining, without being overly vulgar or offensive (most of the time).

I’ll leave the hockey experts to analyze the game, I’ll just say that having been an Avs fan since the first Cup run, but only making it to one regular season game early this season and this game, it was a singular pleasure to see Peter Forsberg on the ice. I know, he’s not the Foppa he used to be… but to watch him skate – he’s still very fast – and to watch him handle the puck was downright enjoyable, and any true hockey fan would say the same.

The best part of the whole thing was the last 20 seconds. Actually, before that– as the last minute began to wind down, the fans were getting restless. Backstrom skated off leaving the net empty, and it seemed as if the Avs smelled the blood and clamped down. The easily could have given up a goal, but didn’t. The defense, like the whole night, was solid. Yes, it was “bend don’t break” kind of stuff, and Theodore saved them with another great performance, but some of the defensive plays to stop shots from ever taking place were quite good. So with 20 seconds left, they go to a media timeout. The fans kicked up the noise, and when I say noise I mean it was a deafening roar in that building. Through the whole timeout… media breaks are usually two minutes, and it was at full throttle the whole two minutes. Even when the referee extended the timeout to adjust the clock, the noise stayed full tilt, it just turned into a chance to boo the officials. The puck dropped, and it got louder. The Wild lost control of the puck and it slipped back into the zone for a delayed offside, which all but killed their chances. The horn sounded, and it got yet louder.

For my first playoff game, it was a great experience. Even watching the hockey tradition of shaking hands at the end of the series was cool– it’s a display of sportsmanship that other pro sports could learn from.

Up next – bring on the Dead Things— er, I mean, Red Wings?

More photos from the game here: Avalanche vs. Wild Game 6 Gallery.

I love living in Denver, and it would take quite a circumstance to pull me away, but I do lament the lack of a good shot of espresso. Thanks to the ‘buck, most espresso around here is either too smokey, too bitter, or just plain yucky. Most espresso drinks are done at the push of a superautomatic button, with no attention paid to the art of steaming the milk just right to bring out the velvety smooth sweetness of a cappuccino… yikes. I’m making myself jittery just thinking about it.

Many people don’t know that the Specialty Coffee Association of America holds regional barista competitions, leading to a national competition, which ultimately leads to a world competition. For the first time ever, the Mountain Region held a barista competition, hosted by Allegro Coffee in Thornton.

Twenty-seven of the region’s best barista descended upon Thornton to demonstrate their skills. Now keep in mind that a skilled barista doesn’t just sling coffee and pastries. These are men and women who are driven to provide the very best. They understand that a large percentage of the population hasn’t developed the palette or discernment to know that when you’re talking best coffees in the world, Starbucks isn’t even a part of the conversation. It’s a specialty industry, and they hope to bring that new experience to you. The first time I tasted a straight shot of espresso that came from some of the best coffee in the world, and was served by a top-quality barista, my life was changed, as coffee goes. It sounds kindof geeky, and it is. And I’m ok with that.

Doug Naiman, the owner of Aviano Coffee in downtown Denver, competed this year for the first time. I’ve grown to enjoy Doug’s shop very much. Most of the competitors this year were first timers… which lends a distinct disadvantage, because the format is very performance-oriented.

Each competitor has 15 minutes to prepare for the judge’s panel 4 shots of espresso (one for each judge), pour 4 traditional cappuccinos, and then prepare 4 servings of a specialty drink, something each of the competitors devise themselves. The signature drinks vary from hop-infused beer-like coffee, to chocolate based creations. The sky is the limit, with the only restrictions being no alcohol, and each drink must have espresso as its base ingredient. All these things must be done within the time constraint, all the while keeping the station and equipment clean, and narrating the process as well. The best competitors have their 15-minute performance scripted to the second, and can perform the preparation of the coffee while simultaneously chatting up the judges as part of the show.

This year’s winners were:
3rd place- Heidi Bickelhaudt – Trident Cafe, Boulder (right)
2nd place- Nolan Dutton – Conscious Coffees, Boulder (left)
1st place- Jon Lewis – Long Story Short, Coeur d’Alene Idaho (center)

(The winners’ home cafe and location are by memory, please forgive me if they are incorrect)

Jon comes from northern Idaho, and his signature drink involved home-cultured yogurt, honey, and espresso. For the win, Jon gets an expenses-paid trip to the US Barista Championship this spring in Minneapolis.

As regional competitions go, this one was small. But for the first time out for our region, it went off particularly well, with everyone excited to see how it develops for next year. The specialty coffee culture is slowly making its way into the Rockies, and I for one couldn’t be more happy. And a tad jittery.

Next year, I plan on taking a Metroblogging podcast/videocast/live blogging team into the competition. Who’s with me?

(Photo of the winners courtesy of Ray Welsh, competition judge and owner of Allegretti’s Coffee Products.)

The food there is quite good, and you can’t beat the lunch special. You can walk out of there only $6 poorer and with a very full tummy. Now I see how they can afford to feed you so cheap.

As a little preview, I’ll be writing a report this week on the 1st Annual Mountain Region Barista Competition. I’d do it now, but I’m still jittery from consuming an ungodly amount of espresso.

A couple was randomly attacked while hiking in Boulder County.

From the Post article:
The suspect is described as a white man with an olive complexion, about 26-years-old, six-feet tall and weighing about 190 pounds. The day of the attack he was wearing cargo pants, an olive-colored polar fleece jacket, and a knit cap with a flat top and brim. He had an unkempt, curly black beard worn in a goatee style.

Based on the description, approximately 64% of the population of Boulder was arrested this morning.

More details as they develop.

I did find out that the Specialty Coffee Association is holding the Rocky Mountain Regional Barista Competition (shut up, it’s real, and it’s awesome) right here in Denver, or more accurately, the Denver appendage known as Thornton end of next month. Expect a full report from this over-caffeinated blogger. I’m actually inquiring about being a judge — EEE! The thought makes my heart flutter, and not just because I had an extra shot in my cappuccino this morning.

So anyway… I’m glad to be back where my sunglasses actually serve a purpose and I can go outdoors without a hat and not have water dripping into my face instantly. I hope your holidays were all as good as mine, if not a tad less scattered and hectic.

so until january– blessings upon you. and if you can throw some prayer and/or good vibes our way for our travel (whichever suits your fancy)– it would be much appreciated.

peace,
–jason.

i love denver weather.