City Tests Recycling on Pearl Street Mall

Enjoying a nice, albeit hot day by reading the paper and having a bottle of Perrier on Pearl St is quaint, and it just got greener to do so. Starting the week of July 28th, blue recycling lids will be added to approximately one-third of existing trashcans in downtown Boulder. Glass, paper, plastic and cans can be recycled in the new single stream receptacles Downtown. The bins will make it easy for pedestrians on Pearl to do their part, and you can have your paper and recycle it too.

The recycling upgrade is a combined effort by Downtown and University Hill Management Division and Parking Services, the Office of Environmental Affairs and the Parks and Recreation Department. The Parks and Recreation Department's Pearl Street Mall maintenance staff will monitor the volume of recycled materials and add more in the future if we prove how much we love to recycle.

Savory Spice Shop Now Open on Broadway

If one thing can make an ordinary dish extraordinary, it's high quality spices. Now, thanks to Mike and Janet Johnston, you can add a gourmet touch to every meal you make just by walking to the new Savory Spice Shop at 2041 Broadway.

The Johnstons moved from Chicago to Colorado in 2004 and brought with them a passion for cooking and dreams of seasonings, spice and everything nice. They opened the first Savory Spice Shop in Denver. Soon they opened a shop in Littleton, and now they've decided to grace Downtown Boulder's presence. The shop offers fresh spices which are ground in-house weekly, and more than 140 original recipe seasonings. The spices are offered in quantities as little as a half-ounce, and the prices are great to boot. Read people's rave reviews here. Visit their website here. Photo courtesy the Savory Spice Shop website.

Church on Spruce Now Home to etown

Etown is a Boulder based radio show that is recorded live each week and broadcast coast to coast on NPR, public, commercial and community stations. It provides entertainment while educating. Nick Forster and his wife Helen have been recording their show successfully since 1991. However, the Forsters still wanted more. Specifically they felt that church at 1535-1539 Spruce Street would be a perfect spot for etown’s needs. Over the years, the church has gone on the market several times, but city regulations have prevented its use as etown envisioned it.

This month, Forster finally got his way. He recently closed the deal to purchase the church from developer Stephen Tebo. The church has been appraised for $3 million, it sold for $2.156 million, and Forster paid only $1.4 million. Tebo donated the difference. Why such a deal? To keep etown here in Boulder. Tebo says, "I believe very strongly in etown and what they do for the community." With help from city officials like business liaison Liz Hanson, Forster found a way around the regulations and into the sanctuary. Turns out there is a line in the city code that says music recording is a permitted use. "We want to keep good business here. It's more than just saying we're glad that etown is here. We want to make sure they stay here." Hanson remarked in a July 16^th Camera article.

So while etown won't stop performances at Boulder Theater, their longtime venue, they will use the new space for operations, tapings, and the creation of "Etown Hall.", a place for smaller performances and community gatherings. Forster says, "We have a very deep and lasting commitment to Boulder." To learn more, visit etown's website, www.etown.org. To read the original article by the Camera, click here.

Downtown Boulder Chef on the Martha Stewart Show!

Downtown Boulder's Own Chef Lachlan Mackinnon Patterson of Frasca Food and Wine at 1738 Pearl Street, will be a guest on former jailbird Martha Stewart's TV Show this Monday, July 21st. This is not the first time for our esteemed local culinary genius on the show either. Chef Mackinnon Patterson will show viewers how to prepare Frico Caldo, part of the wonderful salumi plate which all diners heartily enjoy at this fine Pearl Street sensation. The episode will air at 10 a.m. MST on CW channel 2.

2008 ArtFair Celebrates 30 Years on the Bricks

2008 ArtFair: Boulder’s Commitment to Art
Celebrates 30 Years on the Bricks

This year’s ArtFair, presented by Wells Fargo on July 19 & 20, will host close to 150 artisans whose works will span mediums from watercolor, acrylics, photography and jewelry to large sculptures and works of fiber. All work is original and produced by the exhibiting artist. Of the 150 artists who will showcase their work, 80 are Colorado residents (with nine who call Boulder home). Other participants hail from California, Florida and as far away as Israel.
Click here for a list of participating artists.

There will be two music areas this year; the jazz sounds of Bob Culbertson and his “Chapman Stick” will grace the 1100 block, while Dave Villano will play the violin in the 1400 block. At 15th & Pearl Street, ArtFair attendees can get a good dose of album rock from first-time radio sponsor, KQMT FM (The Mountain). Souvenir ArtFair photos will be available at the Camera Booth, and refreshing water from Eldorado Natural Spring Water can be sampled at their booth.

Downtown Boulder proudly thanks our 2008 ArtFair sponsors: Wells Fargo, The Camera, City of Boulder Parking Services, KQMT FM, Peleton and Eldorado Natural Spring Water.

Older Boulder Artists Exhibit at Boulder Arts and Crafts

The residents of the Meridian Retirement Community have been learning the ways of watercolor from local artist Anne Gifford, and now it's time for us all to enjoy their efforts. Their paintings will be exhibited at the Boulder Arts and Crafts Gallery until July 28th.

Gifford is a contributer and partial owner of the gallery and has been teaching the class at the Meridian for six years. The women, ranging from 85-99 years old, are amazing examples of perseverance, optimism and talent. They've pushed through obstacles like hand tremors and little prior painting experience to produce meaningful pieces of art. But painting isn't all they've learned from Gifford. Student Ruth Thomas, an accomplished artist, says the Gifford's class teaches more than just art. She mentions the importance of camaraderie in the class.

Don't miss this opportunity to see an awesome exhibit at the Boulder Arts and Crafts Gallery, known for weaving art into the community. However, don't go expecting to buy- many of the women's paintings aren't for sale. Some are keeping their work and others are giving the paintings to family. But just viewing this show should be enough to inspire and excite, the way Gifford has inspired and excited the women at the Meridian.

Click here to read more in an article from The Camera
Photo by Cliff Grassmick from The Camera

Hot Dogs with Heart

How do you make a hot dog stand? Steal its chair. No doubt Mike Horowitz, owner and hot dog seller at Freddie's Hot Dogs downtown, has heard that joke countless times before. Or, if he's lucky, maybe he hasn't. Judging from the success of his charcuterie chariot, he is very lucky indeed.

Freddie's has been providing sustenance in sausage form for the past twelve years, right on the corner of Pearl and Broadway. Horowitz bought the cart in 1996 and has been serving up satisfaction ever since. Condiments abound. You can get a Buffalo Bratwurst for $4- and that's the most you'll spend for any one item at his stand. Where else will 75 cents get you a soda? Can't think of a single place. While there's no such thing as a free lunch, this is close.

Horowitz relishes the regulars. If a repeat customer finds him or herself in a pickle, he won't hesitate to say, "I'll put this on your tab- pay me next time." That's something you don't hear too frequently. As Jim Grady, one of the lucky regulars, says, "It's like the hot dog version of Cheers." How do you make a hot dog stand? Ask Mike Horowitz- he's got it figured out.

For more information on Mike Horowitz and the stand see the Colorado Daily article here.

The Lounge at Boulder Theater

Seeing a show or going to a movie is great fun, until you get halfway through and notice a rumbling down below. Hunger- it can strike at the most inopportune moment, during a great rendition of your favorite tune or right amidst the climax of a harrowing film. The folks at Boulder Theater know this problem, and they have found the solution.

The Lounge at Boulder Theater is the latest hangout with the hottest happy hour, and combined with sophisticated snacks it makes for the perfect pre- or post-show way to keep spirits up. "We just wanted a place where people could have happy hour or grab a light bite before a show," says Boulder Theater publicist Sarah Coffield. The trattoria inspired cafe/bar features an array of fresh and authentic brushette, panini and anitpasti, plus these cool treats can be ordered to go and taken into the show if you don't have the time to sit and enjoy your bite. Check this out: Italian inspired eats like asparagus, reggiano and truffle oil bruschette; panini with prosciutto, fontina and hot mustard; and a nutella panino with fresh berries. Wash that down with $3 well drinks, drafts and house wine from 4-6pm, and you're set to sit back and enjoy the show.

2028 14th Street
Boulder, CO 80302
Located just south of the Boulder Theater
303.998.9350
Open daily 4pm-Close
Happy Hour 4pm-6pm, $3 well, draft beer, & house wine.

Click here to visit the website and view a sample menu.

Used Furniture Store the Latest on Pearl

A new used furniture store just opened on Pearl! Joyful Earth-friendly Interiors is located on the east end of Pearl Street at 2210 Pearl St. in Boulder. Joy Wallin and Emily Wilson opened up the shop together, "taking old pieces that might not be in great shape and refinishing them using eco-friendly techniques."

Recycled furniture is a great idea for a lot of reasons. Other than the aesthetic benefits (sweet one of a kind pieces; some at Earth-friendly Interiors are created by local artists), environmentally friendly furniture prevents deforestation, promotes healthier air in homes and businesses, and creates that feeling of satisfaction when doing something good for the environment.

Stop by Monday through Saturday 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. or Sunday 11 a.m. to 5. Visit their website, or call 303-565-6678.