Photos and Article by Kristin Kleimann-Duggan
 
We finally made it to see the Ice Castles this year and it was well worth it! The Ice Castles are located in Dillon, Colorado and are open until the weather becomes too warm. Teams work to grow more than 5,000 icicles each day so they can build the castles by hand. 
 
We bought our tickets in advance (highly recommended, as they sell out quickly, especially on weekends) and chose to go around 5:30 pm because we were hoping to experience the Ice Castles in both daylight and at night. This was a good choice as it was easier to see at 5:30 and then the castles are lit up at night with LED lights. Dressing for winter was important and waterproof pants and gloves (especially for the kids) are a must if you plan to crawl around in the caves or go on the ice slides. Do not bother with a stroller, it won’t make it.
 
Currently, hours are 4-9pm Monday, Wednesday, and Thursday. On Fridays: hours are 4-10pm; Saturdays:  12pm-10pm; and Sundays: 12pm-8pm. The ice castles are closed on Tuesday.
 
Ticket prices vary by the day and whether you buy in advance or not. Adult prices range from $15.95 to $21.00. Children (4-11) are $10.95-$16.00. Children under 3 are free.
 
Get there soon to see the Ice Castles before the weather warms. If the Ice Castles return next year, I encourage you to see them. It’s winter magic.
 
Please visit, www.icecastles.com for more information.

Ivy at the Glenn Restaurant at the Streets at Southglenn in Centennial is a seasonal, contemporary restaurant that changes out its menu and wine list four times per year. The restaurant is beautiful inside with its gorgeous wood feature wall, indoor/outdoor fireplace, contemporary and natural décor, and outdoor patio. The restaurant uses local and area purveyors for fresh fish and produce and its menu highlights small plates with different flavor profiles. This fall, you can try Fried Brussel Sprouts with with a garlic, bacon, lemon and balsamic reduction as well as an Ahi Tuna Carpaccio in a ginger soy reduction sauce with edamame and wonton chips. Ivy on the Glenn is a neighborhood restaurant and offers wine tastings, a $40 3-course dinner special, and hosts a big Oscar night, and several Holiday parties.
 
The restaurant was founded five years ago by Jimmy Lambatos, a 40-year veteran of the Denver Restaurant scene. In the 1970s Jimmy arrived in Colorado from New York to attend school at the University of Colorado. He started working at the (infamous) Colorado Mining Company Restaurant in Glendale where he ultimately became the executive chef. In the early 1980s he partnered to open the iconic Footers Restaurant and Catering Company in Capitol Hill. (Jimmy’s son now runs the award winning catering company!) He then partnered to open a small, fast, casual sandwich company you may have heard of---Quiznos. With its 2003 Superbowl ad, Jimmy (or Chef Jimmy), became the face of Quiznos and spent the following year promoting Quiznos nationally, getting to meet many famous people, such as Cameron Diaz, and even appearing on Jay Leno. In addition, from 2008-2011, Jimmy opened and operated Baur’s Ristorante near the Denver Performing Arts Center in Downtown Denver. Chef Jimmy certainly has the experience to guarantee you great food and impeccable service. He looks forward to welcoming you to his latest restaurant endeavor.
 
"Please let me know when you're coming over so I can
welcome you to my house. I am always looking forward to meeting and serving new friends and family." –Jimmy Lambatos
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Ivy at the Glenn
6955 South York Street
Centennial, Colorado 80122
303.730.7200
 
Ivy at the Glenn is open Monday through Friday from 11am until close.
Saturday and Sunday brunch is offered from 9am-2pm.
Lunch is offered daily from 11am to 4pm.
Dinner is offered daily from 5pm till close.
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This article was written by Kristin Kleimann and will be appearing in a future  issue of "Life in the Park" magazine.

Ryan Surroz and his family are University Park residents and neighbors. He and his family have lived in the neighborhood since 2013. The Surroz Family loves living in the neighborhood and enjoys Dinosaur Park, morning and evening walks around the neighborhood, and The Pioneer and Ginza restaurants.
 
Besides his full time job, Ryan Surroz also serves as President of Denver Active 20-30 Children’s Foundation. Denver Active 20-30 Children’s Foundation is a philanthropic organization dedicated to raising money to support at-risk and disadvantaged children throughout Colorado. A secondary goal is to cultivate the talents of young philanthropists (generally young male business leaders aged 20-39 years old) and to raise awareness of those less fortunate. Ryan has been involved in the organization for six years, served on the board for 4 years, and previously acted as the Membership Chair.  He has raised over $200,000 for Denver Active 20-30 and also sits on several other philanthropic boards.
 
“Denver Active 20-30 is the most rewarding activity that I pursue — I think it is safe to say that my involvement has developed into a healthy passion.  I joined DA20-30 because I was inspired by this group of young professionals who were united in their dedication to supporting at-risk and underprivileged kids. I recognized right away that this was a truly unique organization and I wanted to be a part of it. Now as President of DA20-30, I see daily reminders of the impact on the kids that we support as well as the philanthropic leadership development in our members.”  -Ryan Surroz (President of Denver Active 20-30 Children’s Foundation)
 
This year, Denver Active 20-30 is celebrating its 29th anniversary. It has given away more than $10 million through several established fundraising events. The largest and most well known is the Denver Polo Classic, which is the nation’s largest charitable polo tournament and takes place at the end of June.
 
The next fundraising event is the 4th Annual Denver Active 20-30 Golf Classic presented by Bank of America-Merrill Lynch Wealth Management. It will be held September 15, 2016 at the Arrowhead Golf Club.  Sponsors will be treated to breakfast, drinks, a catered lunch, and great prizes.
 
To find out more about the organization and how to get involved or to support the organization through their events, please visit: www.da2030.org
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This article was written by Kristin Kleimann and will be appearing in the August 2016 issue of "Life in the Park" magazine.

​How fortunate are we to live in an urban community that has a world class historical telescope, housed in an architecturally beautiful and historic building, available to the public on a regular basis?
 
Visit and answer for yourself…
 
What’s the history?
Construction on the Romanesque style Chamberlin Observatory, located at 2930 East Warren Avenue, in Observatory Park, Denver, began in 1890 after a generous donation by Humphrey Barker Chamberlin, a real estate businessman, in 1888. Chamberlin was one of Denver’s wealthiest citizens and believed in sharing his wealth and giving back to his community.
 
Robert S. Roeschlaub designed the building itself and the astronomical functions were designed by Herbert Alonzo Howe, who was the very first professor of astronomy at the University of Denver and first director of the Observatory.
 
The refracting telescope has a 20-inch aperture lens that was made by Alvan Clark and Sons of Massachusetts who were world renowned lens makers. The telescope is very large, at 28 feet long. The telescope became operational in 1894.
 
The Observatory is currently owned and operated by the University of Denver and is considered priceless.
 
Did you know these fun facts about Chamberlin Observatory?

• The refracting 28-foot telescope is among the largest in the world with moving parts, and weighs several tons.
• The iron dome on top of the Observatory weighs 12 tons.
• The building is constructed from rusticated red sandstone blocks.
• The Observatory was modeled after the Goodsell Observatory at Carleton College in Northfield, Minnesota.
• Herbert Howe had the mini observatory, located next door, built for beginning astronomy students which included a smaller telescope for their studies until they graduated to using the larger telescope. The smaller telescope is now housed inside of the larger building and is used as a finder telescope.
• The telescope was exhibited at the World’s Columbian Exposition in Chicago in 1893 prior to arriving in Denver.
• The telescope arrived by train in Denver with Herbert Howe accompanying it. An entire Pullman train berth was rented just for the lens.
• Chamberlin Observatory is one of the few remaining observatories in the United States that allows public access.
• The Observatory is one of the earliest buildings built in University Park.
• It is listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1980 and designated a Historic Landmark in 1994.
• The University of Denver renovated the Observatory inside and out in 2008 with the support of a Historic Colorado grant, the Observatory Park community, and the Denver Astronomical Society.
• Public Nights are a tradition that began over 120 years ago on August 1, 1894.
• The Denver Astronomical Society has hosted Public Nights for over 60 years.

Visiting Chamberlin Observatory
On April 12, 2016, we visited the Chamberlin Observatory for one of the public nights. Even though the night started off cloudy and rainy, we were lucky enough to have the skies clear enough to be able to view Jupiter and its red spot.
 
Here’s some more information about how you can visit.
 
The Observatory, through the Denver Astronomical Society (DAS), offers both public nights and open house nights throughout the year.
Events are appropriate for the cosmically-curious non-astronomer (or burgeoning astronomer) and are family-friendly.
 
Public Nights:
Each public night event begins with a 45-minute educational presentation by a DAS lecturer. Afterwards, and weather permitting, guests are invited to tour the Observatory and view the moon, stars, planets, galaxies, and other celestial wonders through the 28-foot long, 20-inch aperture Alvan Clark-Saegmuller refracting telescope. If the weather is not good for viewing guests can still tour the building itself.
 
When: Each Tuesday and Thursday beginning at 8:30pm.
How: Make reservations online in advance (nights do sell out)
Costs: $4.00 for adults/ $3.00 for children (via PayPal online). http://www.denverastro.org/das/chamberlin-observatory/
Note: Children need to be at least 41” tall to be able to use the ladder to view.
 
Open House Nights:
Open House nights are for those who are interested in learning more about telescopes, cosmically curious children, parents, or teachers, or someone who is interested in learning something new.
 
Denver Astronomical Society members are available to share information and views from personal telescopes on the Observatory ground, and to answer questions about astronomy or telescopes. Members can also help guests learn how to operate a personal telescope.
 
When: Saturday of each month nearest the first quarter moon at dusk (varies by season- Winter, around 5:30 or 6pm, Spring and Fall, around 6:30 or 7:30pm, Summer, around 8 or 9pm) until 10pm. The remaining schedule for 2016 is as follows: June 11, July 9, August 13, September 10, October 8, November 5, and December 3.
How: Make reservations online in advance (nights do sell out)
Costs: $3.00 per person/ $5.00 per family (via PayPal online) to view through the Observatory telescope. There is no charge for only viewing through DAS member telescopes. http://www.denverastro.org/das/chamberlin-observatory/
Note: Children need to be at least 41” tall to be able to use the ladder to view.
 
Contact Information:
2930 East Warren Avenue
Denver, Colorado 80210
Information line: 303-871-5172
Website for information about public and open house nights and observation conditions: http://www.denverastro.org/das/chamberlin-observatory/
 
Thank you to the websites of the University Park Community Council, Denver Astronomical Society, University of Denver, and Rosemary Stoffel for information relating to this article.

This article was written by Kristin Kleimann and will be appearing in the June 2016 issue of "Life in the Park" magazine.
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The Denver Metro Association of Realtors (DMAR) held their annual luncheon and awards ceremony on March 24th, 2016 at the Hyatt Regency Denver at the Colorado Convention Center to celebrate the past year of real estate and Realtor accomplishments. DMAR recognizes Denver-area’s top performers in residential real estate by presenting Denver Metro Realtors Excellence Awards. These prestigious awards honor the determination, dedication, and endless drive of Realtors in the Denver Metro area.
 
Kristin Kleimann and Marilynn Wanamaker were recipients of a 2016 Excellence Award in the Bronze Team Category for 2015 sales.
 
Thank you to DMAR and to our past, present, and future clients!
 
Click here to see the full list of award winners:
http://www.dmarealtors.com/sites/default/files/content/excellence_awards_winners_2016.pdf
 
 Click here to see the recap of the awards ceremony:
http://www.dmarealtors.com/post-event-recap-excellence-awards-2016

It's the most wonderful time of the year, particularly if you love holiday lights!  Blossoms of Light at the Denver Botanic Gardens is glowing again beautifully. We managed to visit when the weather was a balmy 56 degrees, at night! Instead of hot chocolate, we enjoyed lime popsicles and lemonade. Our favorites light displays were the different colored floating balls, and the blue fairy forest. Parking was a bit problematic as the lots filled up quickly but street parking was pretty plentiful. We'll be back again next year...

Dates: Nov. 27-Jan. 2, including Christmas Eve, Christmas Day, New Year's Eve and New Year's Day.  
Time: 5:30 p.m.-9 p.m., lights are on until 9:30 p.m.
Where: The Denver Botanic Gardens, 1007 York St.
Cost: Starting December 14th, costs are:
$13 Adult
$11 for Adult Members, Seniors (65+) and  Military 
$10 Child (Ages 3-­15) 
$8 Child Member
Free for children 2 or younger
Information and tickets: botanicgardens.org