Flatirons Bank: Local, Green and Brand-Spankin' New

This Monday, our local Flatirons Bank will proudly open its doors at a new branch location on 11th & Canyon in Downtown Boulder. Flatirons Bank invites the entire Boulder community to its grand opening ceremony on August 3 from 3 – 7 p.m. (including a ribbon-cutting ceremony at 4:30 p.m. and tasty refreshments).

The bank, Boulder County’s only locally-owned, locally-managed bank, has continued its emphasis on local throughout the design and construction process for the new building. Boulder-based firms and individuals such as Communication Arts, Eric Smith & Associates and designer Grady Huff provided an interior design that includes artwork, wall coverings and furniture specially designed to complete the at-home feeling only a local bank can provide. Local, sustainable materials (such as Drystack Sandstone from Mead, Colorado) are also utilized throughout the facility. Additionally, all contractors hired for the ambitious enterprise were Boulder County businesses.

And if that isn’t enough, the new facility is also pursuing LEED® for Commercial Interiors certification (granted by the U.S. Green Building Council) - the benchmark for designing and constructing the world’s most sustainable, energy efficient, high performance green buildings. Earning LEED certification will place the bank among an elite group of properties within the United States; currently only one other bank in Colorado has secured LEED certification.

Flatirons Bank Grand Opening
August 3, 2009 – 3:00-7:00pm
1095 Canyon, Boulder, CO
www.flatironsbank.com

The West End 3k Rumbles Though Downtown

There is this super-elite super-star society of thousands of people that call Boulder their home. Maybe you've heard their gentle steady footsteps passing you on the sidewalk, maybe you've seen them in nothing but shorts on the bike path, or waiting at a crosswalk like they have somewhere really important to be. Know what I'm talking about? Sure you do: runners.

They seem to swarm over boulder as often and as swift as all that cottonwood that somehow finds its way into your mouth or nose. If you tend to avoid certain areas or times of increased runner density, I have some advice for you: stay away from the West End tonight...runners are taking over. If you, however, enjoy seeing people jettison themselves forward in competition or doing so yourself, don't miss 5430 Sports' West End 3K tonight from 6 - 8 p.m.

The Annual West End 3K is a very fast-paced race by the tantalizing shops, restaurants and bars that the West End has to offer. Runners will suck air (or what little we have to offer) twice around down the West End of Pearl Street for a shot at the many awards up for grabs including over $3000 cold, hard, well-earned cash. The race is open to 800 racers total including wheelchair participants, kid's age groups (11 and under race 1500 meters) and walkers.

Plot out your sitting spot or check out the course here. Registration will be available for those last-minute sprinters at the start point between 4 and 5:45 p.m. for $20. This is a great event to watch and an even better one to race!

-Claire Little

Downtown Boulder's 31st Annual ArtFair

This weekend, the bricks along Pearl Street (and one block over to the East End) become infused with visual arts of all shapes, sizes colors and textures. Downtown Boulder's 31st annual ArtFair will be in full swing from Saturday (10 a.m. - 8 p.m.) through Sunday (10 a.m. - 5 p.m.) with 150 artists showcasing their works. Booths will line the Pearl Street Mall (from 10th - 14th streets) as well as the 1500 block.

Over 80 artists from Colorado (including 16 who call Boulder home) will participate this year. Returning artists include Yoram Gal from Israel who took home the 2008 ArtFair Best In Show title. Gal paints in water based colors. In his Artist Statement, he says, "In my paintings I try to capture fleeting moments of intense dramatic, comic, grotesque, lyrical and melancholy interactions between people..."

While enjoying ArtFair and the beautiful scenery throughout Downtown Boulder, please remember to visit the business community (which is 85% locally owned and operated). The Downtown Boulder Business Improvement District runs from 8th to 21st streets and Arapahoe Avenue to Pine Street. Parking is free on Saturdays and Sundays in all five of the city parking garages throughout Downtown. To learn more about parking, check out www.BoulderParking.com. For more information about ArtFair as well as businesses and events in Downtown Boulder, visit: www.BoulderDowntown.com.

Downtown's Top Chef Master Tomorrow!

Another famous face from Downtown Boulder food lore reigns on Bravo tomorrow: Lachlan Mackinnon-Patterson, the famed multi-syllabic named chef/owner of our own world renowned Frasca Food and Wine on the lovely East End, takes on competitors on TV's Top Chef Masters. Bravo's first season Top Chef spin off features four famous chefs per episode battling it out under the camera's bright glare for up to $100,000 for a charity of their choice. Already named one of Food & Wine Magazine's Best New Chefs, Mackinnon-Patterson takes his Northern Italian inspired cuisine to Bravo's L.A. studios to continue Downtown Boulder's amazing record of bringing the world its own Top Chefs ( See Hosea Rosenberg, last year's Top Chef Season 5 winner and chef at Jax Fish House).

Tomorrow on episode five we finally get to see Mackinnon-Patteron in culinary combat. He will be playing for hometown charity Denver's Children's Hospital, a choice close to his heart as his own daughter received life saving treatment there. Wednesday evening you can see Chef Lachlan test his meddle with Chefs Michael Chiarello, Rick Moonen, and Nils Noren to have a chance to go on and meet up with finalists from the first four episodes. Those include notable names Hubert Keller of Fleur de Lys in San Francisco, Suzanne Tracht of Jar in Los Angeles, Chicagoan Rick Bayless of Frontera Grill, and Anita Lo of Annisa in New York.

So root, root, root for the home team as Chef Lahclan ponies up his best Fruilian fare for the judges and tune in tomorrow at 8 p.m. on Bravo. Who knows, maybe Downtown Boulder could have TWO Top Chefs...

Older Boulder Artists exhibit in Downtown Boulder

"The Chinese Jacket" by Betty Evans Cook

At 80 years young, Gay Curran teaches the art of watercolor to students three times a week. Her beginning and advanced classes consists of aspiring artists who are between the ages of 79 -94. Her classrooms are at the Golden West and Flatirons Terrace retirement homes.

This Sunday, July 12, Boulder Arts and Crafts Gallery in Downtown Boulder will host a reception for Curran's students from 3 - 5 p.m. The public is invited to come out and meet the artists who will be discussing their works. Boulder Arts and Crafts Gallery's Older Boulder Artists exhibit is on display now through July 26.

Read more about the Older Boulder Artists:

Seniors' art gains exposure (Camera, June 22)
Art classes keep Boulder seniors young (Camera, June 25)

Located on the 1400 block of the Pearl Street Mall, the Boulder Arts & Crafts Gallery is one of the oldest artist cooperatives in the United States and a popular destination for locals and visitors alike. year-round. The gallery is owned and operated by 42 artists and represents the work of hundreds of artists from Colorado, the Rocky Mountain region and throughout the United States. Paintings, prints, photography, jewelry, pottery, wood, stained and blown glass, sculpture and furniture are represented. Learn more

5280's Top of the Town Issue 2009

Congratulations to the following Downtown Boulder businesses who were recognized in 5280 Magazine's Top of The Town Issue:

Top Shoe Repair (Editor's Choice): Perry Shoe Shop

Top Men's Clothing (Affordable) (Editor's Choice): Weekends

Top Fashion Accessories (Editor's Choice): Common Era

Top Baby Boutique (Readers' Choice): Real Baby (Note: The magazine mentions only the Highlands location but we are going to claim credit too!)

Top Deli (Reader's Choice): Heidi's Brooklyn Deli (Note: The magazine mentions 'multiple locations')

Top Fine Jewelry (Editor's Choice): Carla Morrison Fine Jewelry

The magazine's title is '205 Reasons to Love Denver' but we can think of hundreds of more reasons to love Downtown Boulder!

~ Terri Takata-Smith

That's How I Roll: Big Wheels Rally is Back in Town

"Because it's never too late to have a happy childhood."

What better to do with your Saturday then speed down the streets on your tricked-out, super fast and super fun...big wheel? Join The Almost-Annual Big Wheel Rally for some grown-up fun with little-kid toys. Drinking will be involved.

The ride starts at The Walrus for drink specials then at 6:30, test runs and tune ups will happen at the St. Julien. At 8:30 p.m., the rally officially gets underway at the Camera parking lot for some adrenaline-pumping, speed-or-die racing. For a full itinerary of the night, including which downtown bars will give you discounts, click here.

If you're in it to win it, www.bigwheelrally.com is a great resource for trike modifications so it doesn't break from all your adult (beer) weight. Costumes are encouraged to increase aerodynamics, create distractions for your opponents, or have shiny thing at which the spectators can marvel.

As ridiculous as this all may sound, The Almost-Annual Big Wheel Rally benefits some great causes. Registration fees and t-shirt sales all go directly to help support capital needs, continuing education for Saint Joseph's NICU staff and any special needs for the babies or families of the NICU.

Fool around for a good cause - register now!


- Claire Little

Tuesday Dance Night in Downtown Boulder

If you find yourself sitting at home on a Tuesday night just itching for Wednesday to roll around, listen up: Tuesday night is now dance night in Downtown Boulder!

The grooves begin with free Children's Folk Dancing on the Plaza beside The Dushanbe Teahouse. This event is open to tiny dancers of all ages and levels of experience, held from 6:15 - 7 p.m. Only two more classes scheduled for July on the 7th and the 21st, so don't miss it! Call 303 499-6363 for more information.

No tots? Try adult Folk Dancing Classes on the Plaza 7 - 8 p.m. Enjoy this wonderful Boulder outside dancing experience every Tuesday evening throughout the summer. Lots of free parking in the lots on 14th Street. Call 303 499-6363 for more.

Want something a little more exotic? Take a beginner's Belly Dancing Class at Hasma Design & Arts at 7:30 p.m. Learn to shimmy your stress away with this wonderful comprehensive exercise that teaches you grace and beauty while you get a great workout.

If you know you've already got the moves, then head down to The Foundry for 80's night. Enjoy classic beats from the leg warmer decade and outrageous costumes every Tuesday evening, year-round. If you're shy, booze it up with $3 well drinks and Sierra Nevada drafts until you're ready to hit that dance floor.

Finally, if you're in the mood for something a little more contemporary, try b.side Lounge's Breakin' and Eggs tonight and every other following Tuesday. It's Boulder's only exclusive all-breaks night and it's free! Bring your cardboard and baggy pants tonight at 9 p.m.

So get your groove on and ring in the middle of the week Boulder style with Tuesday's Dance Night Downtown. Have fun and boogie down!

- Claire Little

More Noon Tunes!

Noon Tunes is well underway this Summer and we've already had some great performances. See the videos below for clips from Beloved Invaders and The Cantrells.

Go to our website to see a full list of upcoming Noon Tunes performances! This Friday is Flexigrass w/ Pete Wernick.

- Claire Little