This past weekend and today I took a small step forward in reducing my carbon footprint. As of this morning I am an officially licensed motorcycle licensed scooter driver.

How does this reduce my carbon footprint? Well so far whenever I had to get somewhere quick or without the time or the convenience of jumping on my bike I would pull out my keys and jump into that gigantic SUV I bought back in 2000 to travel across town. I keep the beast because (1) it is paid for and (2) I have a 125 lb pup along with tons of gear that I need to carry between Denver and Vail whenever I get a chance to enjoy the mountains. [Read more →]

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It’s nice to see one sport root on another. At last nights Rockies game we noticed a familiar face in the seats next to us. Jay Cutler appeared to be enjoying a night in the fan’s seat rather than in the spotlight as the Rockies played the Padres at Coors Field. The previous night the Rockies pulled it out at the tail end of the game. They were on the verge of repeating this on Tuesday night but it just wasn’t in the cards. But still, a great game night even with the heat. Something about a cold beer and baseball on a summer night appeals to many, including Denver Bronco quarterbacks.

I was glad to see Jay getting a chance to kick back and relax before the season kicks off. With his arm and the combined team strength we have a shot at taking the A.F.C. West. The papers are all doing their comparisons of Jay with his arm and the days of Elway. I’d say lets not compare him to anyone and let him make his own way.

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Okay, here is my newest favorite to share. Especially since I keep heading to the mountains to get some break from the heat.

So you are heading to the mountains and don’t have time to grab grub in Denver and arriving at your destination too late for dinner… here is my favorite pit stop. And even if I am getting to the mountains in time for dinner this is still a must do.

Kermits

Yep, that little motorcycle hangout off of I-70 has a secret treat that you have to get. Kermits offers awesome Green Chili. Try it alone loaded with cheese, onions, and sour cream or get it in poured over their beef enchilada and you are in heaven. Dip your flour tortillas, order some ice cold beers, and kick back on the outdoor patio. Or hang out inside and take in the hundreds of signed dollars pinned to the walls and ceiling for with some classic comments left by others.  And I can’t forget to mention the old school juke box that is always throwing out some off the wall classics.  During my last pit stop Jack Black was bellowing out some of his famous tunes from The Pick of Destiny.  Where else are you gonna get this authentic kind of spot.
Either way… this little spot is worth the trip and you can get pints to go to share with others.

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On Sunday we enjoyed another wonderful dinner at Sushi Sasa (does this place rock or what) celebrating a birthday and then continued over to Forest Room 5 for a little after dinner cocktail. What a pleasant suprise we got when we arrived and learned that they were holding their weekly movie nights.

So here is the scoop. Every Sunday and Monday FR5 (Forest Room 5) takes full advantage of their great outdoor paito and sets up a projector and launches a movie against the big brick wall opposite them. What a great idea! Just take a sight sore vacant wall and turn it into drive in style entertainment.

Whatever movie was playing on Sunday was definitely from the offbeat path. A mix of artsy and Kill Bill style gore, it was if nothing else some great background for in depth discussions over slowly sipped tequila or tasty micro brew beers.

If you want to know what kind of movies you can regularly expect, the answer is anything goes. Apparently all requests are considered and the joint is not so busy yet that you can’t have your own screening occur.

So check it out, pick a good flick, and swing back to the Urban Brain Forum to please let us know what you are planning or what is playing next.

P.S. photo take on iphone.

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Isn’t it amazing sometimes how rumors can spread on the tips of the wind covering a city in just one day. Today I heard a nasty rumor not once, but three times.

So go ahead, have a seat, and I’ll share the rumor. The rumor is that “My Brother’s Bar” has been sold, as sad as it is, to a new owner. Needless to say I was shocked, baffled, mystified and more. Dumbfounded (one more term to use) I stared blankly as one of these persons shared with me (with an edge almost on tears) that it was so sad that the oldest bar in Denver was closing or changing hands. Where is our heritage? Where is our tradition?

The rumor continued to talk about how the bar was a huge money maker, the owners getting to the point of wanting to chill out, and how it all made sense. Well it sure as heck didn’t make sense to me and I was getting bummed out.
Turns out it is all horse puckey. I had thought about doing a post to ask all of you out there if anyone had heard the rumor, and then realized that was a moronic way to handle it. So I just called them. Duh.

So I ring up My Brother’s Bar and shared with them the scary rumor. With a half laugh and half disgusted chortle they let me know that the rumor was not true and was simply a vicious rumor. They also asked me to squash it, and to help spread the squashing word/

So SQUASH SQUASH SQUASH to this rumor. My Brother’s Bar isn’t being sold. My Brother’s Bar isn’t going anywhere. Now go get off your butts and enjoy a beer and a jcb on the patio and toast to the fact that sometimes things actually do stay the same.

Whew… that is a relief.

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Yes, I was at opening day. It was fun, warm, breezy, loud, rowdy, relaxing, and an overall barrel of monkeys fun. The place was packed, the bars afterwards were even more crowded. We drank beers in the sun, one of life’s true simple pleasures, and followed pieces of the game. But overall opening day is all about hanging out with good peeps and laughing.

For the record, I heard that this gentleman pouring beer has been there for slinging ale for as long as anyone can remember. I love tradition.

Hope you went. If not, go next year.

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Here is an email I just got on Vita. Thought I would pass it on because today is BEAUTIFUL and I should be sitting on their patio right now writing a review in the sunshine.

Not only is VITA’s patio open and offering TWO new Happy Hours - - they are NOW serving Sunday Brunch! Starting this Sunday, March 25th Brunch will be served from 10:00 to 2:00 pm and Happy Hour begins 2:00pm – 6:30pm. Come down and soak up some sun and martinis on Vita’s patio this weekend!

IT’S FRIDAY - - so don’t forget about VITA’s TWO new Happy Hours (not only on Friday but EVERY DAY)!:

Happy Hour Times: 3:00pm – 6:30pm AND 9:00pm – Close (7 days a week!)

Food Specials: 2 for 1 (antipasto platter, olive hummus, calamari, bruschette, and specialty cheese and cracker spreads)

Drink Specials: Wines are 2 for 1 by the glass, and Bud, Bud Light and Italian Peroni and Moretti beers are $2.

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With a craving for curry and a cool beer we set out last night searching for a great Thai restaurant in town. Our selection was J’s Noodles located over at 945 South Federal.

It took us a bit to find it, looking from strip mall to strip mall for their sign. If you go don’t give up in your search, it is worth it.

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Here is a quick post for those of you hooked on Girl Scout Cookies. You may already have someone where you work selling these, but there is one place I wouldn’t expect establishing a storefront for these cookies.

My Brothers Bar (the actual place not an actual brother) has a big sign in their window announcing they are a Girl Scout Cookie station. That’s right, this little spot known best for it’s beer and burgers is also a great spot to pick up some thin mints and tag-a-longs. Can you imagine how many drunken customers walk out at the end of the night with those magic girl scout cookies under their arm. Cookies and beer, a great combo.

I peeked in the window and they are stocked. There are stacks and stacks of Samoas and DoSiDos towering just inside the front door. Awesome.

Girl Scout cookies (credit to the Girls Scouts for their photo above) have been around forever. Wikipedia says they first rolled out as early as 1917 in an effort to raise funds to support troop activities. These little beauties have been growing in popularity ever since.
So just for fun and in honor of the Girl Scout Cookie season, what is your favorite type of Girl Scout Cookie? Then compare the Denver Results to the Worldwide results which Wikipedia reports to be…

As of 2004, the best selling Girl Scout cookies are:

• Thin Mints (25% of total sales)*
• Samoas/Caramel DeLites (19%)*
• Hoedowns/Tagalongs/Peanut Butter Patties (13%)*
• Savannahs/Do-si-dos/Peanut Butter Sandwiches (11%)*
• Trefoils/Shortbread (9%)*

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Living in Riverfront Park means you certainly know one pub by heart. And just like that old Cheers show with norm and cliff, the beauty of this gem is that everyone really does know your name. Of course sometimes that is because you had a little bit too much fun the night before and your antics are well remembered. This, of course, is not a story about me and my friends… It is everybody else.
McLoughlin’s is like a den mother that is always there to make sure you are well fed, warm, and never thirsty. When we are working 80 hour weeks they have been kind enough to bring over our lunch and make sure we don’t forget to eat. When we come home late at night and want to regroup with friends for a nightcap they are open until their 2 am closing, no matter how slow their evening is. When you need a great meal and a friendly face they are always there. The people are great, the food is great, and the beer is cold.

And I haven’t even told you how great the summers are sitting out on the patio. That was the best.

During the blizzard when everything was shut down they kept us fed until the last scrap of food was gone. How’s that for reliability.

So join me in getting to know a little bit more about McLoughlins and Jon Koenig General Manager/Owner. [Read more →]

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