The Stasko Blog

Stasko Agency Offers New Services

2012-02-23T16:34:00.002-07:00

As 2012 began, I spent some time reflecting on ways we canbring even more value to our clients. Networking, making connections, andinteracting with media can present some of the biggest challenges toprofessionals and organizations.

With this in mind, I am excited to announce three newservices that Stasko Agency will offer this year:

Networking StrategySessions:

Participants in this two hour session will learn the art ofnetworking, and why it is so important in personal and professional life.

From the socially comfortable to the very shy, participantswill come away feeling more confident about building relationships with peoplewho can be potential clients or business resources. Topics include what to sayand do at social events, whom to speak with, and how to use time wisely. Anyoneinterested in expanding their business or social networks will benefit fromthis session. Networking is also a great tool for anyone who is job hunting orchanging careers.

Rates for this service are based on an hourly fee.

Resource Builder:

With this new service I will leverage the media and businesscontacts I have cultivated for years, and facilitate valuable connections formy clients.

We will start with an intake session to determine if thereare quality connections in my resource bank. When I locate resources that mightassist you in reaching your goals and objectives, I will set up an introductorymeeting and will attend with you to better explain why I feel these two peoplewill be a good match. There is always a specific reason why I think peopleshould meet each another, even if it’s not obvious from the start.

Rates for this service vary by project.

Media Training:

My clients often comment that interacting with the media canbe intimidating. Our media training sessions will help ease your jitters andguide you through communicating your messages confidently and effectively tothe media.

We partner with Scoop PR principal Erika Gonzalez to providethis media training, which includes a primer on how the media works, offersstrategies for creating clear and compelling messages, and gives hands-onpractice through mock interviews.

A veteran journalist, Erika worked as a reporter for theDenver Business Journal, Boulder Daily Camera and Rocky Mountain News, whereshe served as a staff writer for more than a decade. She was also a chiefspokesperson for the Colorado Lottery, where she was interviewed regularly by avariety of local and national media outlets.

Our media training services are available on either anhourly or project fee basis depending on the number of participants seekingtraining.

For more information contact me at 303-477-9902 or email lu@staskoagency.com.

Photo courtesy: http://www.freedigitalphotos.net/images/view_photog.php?photogid=1499

The Stasko Agency Adds New Restaurant Client

2012-02-14T23:53:00.000-07:00

One of my newest clients is not only keeping me busy, but introducing me to a whole new world of Mexican food. Paxia Authentic Mexican Cuisine, located in Denver's Sunnyside neighborhood, offers real Mexican fare - the kind that dates back centuries and includes such traditional dishes as Tlacoyos (oval-shaped masa and black bean cakes topped with pear cactus, jalapeno, tomato and onion) and Molcajetes (a mouth-watering stew that I've been dreaming about since I first tasted it, made with tomatoes, garlic, jalapenos, onions and either fish, meat or a mixture of both). Open since August 2011, Paxia is the brainchild of brothers Cesar, Roberto and Igancio Leon, who started the Los Carbonitos chain of taquerias in 2004.

Paxia is like Los Carbonitos' sophisticated sister, providing gourmet Mexican food in a stylish, yet comfortable atmosphere, complete with a tequila lounge and inviting patio. And the restaurant is starting to gain new fans. Denver Post Features Writer Bill Porter just gave Paxia a glowing review.

If you haven't tried Paxia, there are plenty of opportunities to experience the Leon family's culinary talents. On February 9th, the restaurant is offering a preview of its Denver Restaurant Week menu, which includes its special "lamb barbacoa" entree. The dish, which is slow roasted after soaking for hours in a chili marinade, will become a permanent part of the menu every weekend, starting March 10th.

For Valentine's Day, the restaurant is offering a four-course Prix Fixe meal (featuring a mix of Mexican mainstays - Carne Asada, for example, as well as more contemporary creations), served with a complimentary glass of sparkling wine for $50 per person.

The restaurant's Happy Hour also provides a chance to sample Paxia's unique menu at discounted prices. Available daily from 3 p.m. to 6 p.m. and again from 9 to close, Paxia's Happy Hour includes drink specials as well as tamales, tacos, oysters, and Ceviche. Paxia is open for lunch daily from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. and serves dinner from 3 p.m. to 10 p.m. Sunday through Thursday and until midnight on Friday and Saturday.

To make reservations for Valentine's Day or Denver Restaurant Week, call 720-583-6860.
For more information, visit www.paxiadenver.com or follow the restaurant on Facebook.

A Whole New World

2012-02-02T17:31:00.000-07:00

Part of my job involves educating myself about new media outlets and new industries, so with that in mind, I attended a private event last week hosted by the publisher of the trade magazine Imaging Notes. Imaging Notes is the premier publication for commercial, government and academic remote sensing professionals around the world and it’s based right here in Denver.

Publisher Myrna Yoo, (owner of Blueline Publishing LLC), welcomed more than 125 people all over the country, who were in Denver for ILMF – the International LIDAR Mapping Forum. The event was a great opportunity to network and focused on LIDAR software, (Light Detection And Ranging) a technology that uses remote sensing and light to gather data used in creating maps.

While I don’t deal with remote sensing industry, I enjoyed learning more about the technology involved. I am always on the lookout for new and different opportunities for my clients – even if it is introducing them to new industries (they never thought of before!). You never know what kind of business one can build by marketing to a whole new industry!

For more information, check out Imaging Notes.

Year in Review

2012-01-03T23:24:00.023-07:00

Happy New Year! I am excited and hopeful about what 2012 holds, especially after such an eventful year in 2011.

Last year, The Stasko Agency developed campaigns to launch everything from a new outdoor gear protection system to comfort food-filled waffle cones. We also rekindled relationships with former colleagues and friends and helped them promote a variety of projects.

I am proud of what we accomplished and thought I'd share a few highlights from 2011:

Crafty Ladies: In March, Highland Tap & Burger introduced the Crafty Ladies Beer Club, giving beer-loving babes a great reason to gather. We helped spread the word about the club, whose members meet twice monthly for tastings and to learn about their favorite beers from the craft brewers who make them. Here is 9News Reporter Heidi McGuire interviewing the club's former spokesperson, Amy Pardee, back in April. The Crafty Ladies Beer Club is the brainchild of one of the Highland Tap and Burger owner's Juan Padro, and his dynamic team!

Urbandwellers Showroom Shines: We're huge fans of urbandwellers partners Larry Beard Jr. and Bruce Littlehorn and their unique, space-saving furnishings. So, we were thrilled to help them unveil their 1,000-square foot showroom in the Water Tower Lofts downtown. The space (which doubles as their home) landed on the cover of The Denver Post's Lifestyle section in November.

Growing Good Food Locally: We learned a lot about the importance of sustainable farming last summer when we launched a campaign to promote Circle Fresh Farms - a network of farms that produces organic, pesticide-free produce in greenhouses year-round. Our early efforts gained the company coverage in a slew of papers in the Boulder area (Longmont Times-Call, Boulder Daily Camera, Boulder County Business Report) where one of its farms is thriving. A second campaign to promote a program that helps turn returning veterans into farmers, drew attention from 9News, 7NEWS and the Denver Business Journal.

LoHi Merchants Join Forces: This past summer, I worked with LoHi realtor Paul Tamburello to create a way for neighborhood business owners to share information and resources and promote each other to residents. The LoHi Merchants Collaborative, which meets monthly, helps achieve those goals and allows local businesses to market the neighborhood more effectively. We are working on several initiatives to drive business to LoHi, including a welcome basket for new residents and a shuttle that would run from downtown to Highland. Our next meeting is slated for 5:30 p.m. on January 30th. If you'd like more information, drop me a line here.

Protecting Precious Gear: Driving into the garage with a bike still mounted on your car's roof rack can leave you in tears, which is why our friends at HeadsUp Systems decided to prevent anyone from suffering that sad fate. Their wireless alert system warns drivers as they approach their garages, reminding them about the bikes, kayaks, canoes and other equipment they may have mounted on top of their vehicles. In addition to garnering a bevy of trade industry press, the company's unique product was also recently featured in a 9News story about great holiday gifts. You can view the story here.

Paris Celebrates a Silver Anniversary: Helping entrepreneurs mark significant milestones is always satisfying, but providing support for Paris On the Platte's 25th birthday party was particularly special, given the memories we've built there. And thanks to a mention in Penny Parker's Post column, both longtime patrons and new customers turned out for the celebration and shared their stories of the legendary cafe and bar.

Developer David Zucker's Real Estate Deals: Zocalo Community Development, led by David Zucker, kept us busy last year. In September, we helped the company announce plans to build a 13-story, 220-unit apartment project at Union Station. A month later, we worked with David to announce the sale of its downtown hi-rise apartment building Solera. The sale was a record for the state of Colorado and garnered the attention of the Denver Business Journal, Inside Real Estate, The Denver Post and Yahoo! Finance.

Bobo's Create a Buzz: A waffle cone filled with macaroni and cheese instead of mint chocolate chip ice cream? It may sound strange, but it's actually a delicious mobile meal, launched last fall by Little Man Ice Cream. Called Bobo Cones, the new cold weather fare passed KDVR's Dan Daru's taste test when he sampled a macaroni and cheese-filled Bobo Cone during the station's morning broadcast. The cones were also featured in the Huffington Post and on several food blogs including IceCream News.

Menchie's Makes Highland a Hot Spot for FroYo: We wrapped up the year by introducing LoHi residents to Menchie's, a frozen yogurt shop that just opened an outpost not far from North High School. For its opening celebration, Menchie's hosted fundraisers for The Tennyson Center for Children and the Rocky Mountain Rollerpunks. Here's a great shot of Rollerpunks members hugging the Menchie's mascot.

I look forward to continuing our momentum and making new connections in 2012!

Rollerpunks Make Good Day Colorado Debut

2011-12-28T15:59:00.011-07:00

I am a big fan of the Rocky Mountain Rollerpunks and it's not just because my niece (Anya Blindside) is a member of the roller derby junior league. The Rollerpunks teach teamwork and build confidence while giving kids a great reason to get off the couch. The league is open to girls and boys ages six to 11 and girls ages 12 to 17, who learn skating skills, roller derby rules and strategy, fitness and sportsmanship.

Wednesday morning, Good Day Colorado Reporter Dan Daru helped spread the word about the Rollerpunks, capturing league members practicing with Coach PJ "Dangerous Leigh A'Zon" Shields. I was so excited to be on hand to see the girls in action on live television. Although Dan didn't strap on a pair of skates (he said he left them at home 30 years ago!), he still had a ton of fun. You can view the story here.

The Rollerpunks, started by the Rocky Mountain Rollergirls in spring 2010, have also been featured in Westword, 9News and most recently, The Denver Post. The league's season runs from April to October, but that didn't stop the girls from rising early to promote the sport. Registration for new members will be held on March 24. More information will be posted as the event draws near on The Rocky Mountain Rollergirls website.

Laughing Latte Wins Holiday Wreath Contest

2011-12-11T12:27:00.011-07:00

Congratulations to Laughing Latte for capturing the grand prize in the first annual LoHi Wreath Decorating Contest. The contest required participants to create wreaths that best reflected the nature of their businesses. Laughing Latte (located at 32nd Avenue and Tejon Street) got the top nod for a festive wreath made out of coffee filters (which gave the appearance of creamy foam) and accessorized with coffee beans and sprigs of cinnamon. You can check out the winning wreath below.

Pasquini's Pizzeria was first runner up; Pilates studio Joie de Vivre, which incorporated springs from its reformer machines into its wreath, was awarded second runner up status and LoHi Fitness Club was third runner up. You can see a sample of the some of the lovely wreaths below.

Thanks to the 29 LoHi merchants who participated in this year's contest. We also owe a huge debt of gratitude to our judges: Westword Editor Patty Calhoun, 9News reporter Heidi McGuire, Lorenzo Gibson and Samantha Martel of Denver News and 5280 Magazine's Luc Hatlestad. The wreaths will be on display until Christmas, so I encourage you to stroll through the neighborhood and check them all out.

The contest kicked off with a holiday lighting ceremony at Little Man Ice Cream, complete with carolers, Santa Claus, live reindeer and free pizza from Pasquini's. The event drew such a supportive crowd that we hope to make the lighting celebration a holiday tradition. I feel so lucky to live in a neighborhood with such a strong sense of community. Happy Holidays!

Menchie's Celebrates Grand Opening in Highland

2011-12-06T16:36:00.011-07:00

Thanks to everyone who attended the grand opening celebration of Menchie's Frozen Yogurt in Highland over the weekend. The three day event, which included free yogurt, face-painting, arts and crafts, a blind yogurt tasting, open mic performances and prizes, was a big success, attracting residents of all ages and such dignitaries as Denver City Councilwoman Judy Montero and Denver City Auditor Dennis Gallagher. A longtime Highland resident, Gallagher cut the ribbon for the store's "official" opening with Montero and representatives from the Tennyson Center for Children.

Menchie's Highland Owner Cyndi Hause graciously donated a portion of sales from the weekend's festivities to the the Tennyson Center and the the junior roller derby league, the Rocky Mountain Roller Punks, raising $500 and $475 for each organization respectively. Here are members of the Roller Punks blind tasting some of Menchie's numerous flavors.

Fundraising will be a key component of Menchie's involvement in the Highland neighborhood going forward. The shop is already serving as a community gathering spot for North High School students and local families and is helping to further the revitalization efforts that have breathed new life into the corner of 32nd and Clay Streets.

If you haven't stopped in to Menchie's yet, I encourage you to check it out. The shop offers more than 100 rotating yogurt flavors (ranging from green apple tart to New York cheesecake) made from its own private label. The shop is open from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. Sunday through Thursday and 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. Saturday and Sunday.

Little Man Ice Cream Introduces Bobo Cones

2011-11-20T23:17:00.008-07:00

Don't let the cold weather keep you from visiting Little Man Ice Cream this winter. The shop (and longtime client of The Stasko Agency) just launched a new line of "all weather" cones that are sure to keep the chill off. Called Bobo Cones, these creative concoctions pair flavored waffle cones with such cold weather fillings as mashed potatoes and macaroni and cheese.

The choices range from hearty (a savory cone loaded with pulled pork and broccoli and carrot slaw) to healthy (a flaxseed cone filled with quinoa). Made fresh using locally-sourced ingredients, the Bobo cones are available daily until 4 p.m and replace the shop's previous cold weather fare.

The Bobo Cones passed KDVR's Dan Daru's taste test when he sampled a macaroni and cheese-filled Bobo Cone during the station's morning broadcast a few weeks ago. You can view Dan's report here. The new cones were also featured in the Huffington Post and on several food blogs including IceCream News.

Little Man Owner Paul Tamburello (who did a great job dishing up scoops for Dan Daru) named the cones after his grandfather, who was affectionately referred to as Bobo by his grandchildren.

The cones make great mobile meals, so try one for a quick lunch or dinner. We know you won't be disappointed.

Urban Dwellers Lands Denver Post Spread

2011-11-14T12:02:00.016-07:00

I was so excited to open the Denver Post's Lifestyle's section on November 3rd and see two of my favorite people staring back at me. Bruce Littlehorn and Larry Beard Jr. own urbandwellers, a unique home furnishings company that The Stasko Agency began working with last year. The couple's business is based out of their home - a 1,000-square foot loft that also doubles as a showroom for urbandwellers' designs.

Post writer Sheba Wheeler profiled the pair and their unconventional home, explaining how the residence seamlessly showcases urbandwellers space-saving products, including a coffee table from its "hom" line and indoor fountains (one is pictured below) from the company's "flo" collection. You can read the article here.

If you live in an urban abode with limited space, I encourage to check out ubandwellers designs. You can find a list of stores that carry urbandwellers products here.

Veterans to Farmers

2011-11-10T16:23:00.019-07:00

This past Veteran's Day, we were lucky enough to help Circle Fresh Farms spread the word about a program the company launched to help veterans transition into farming . Called Veterans to Farmers, the Denver-based non-profit places veterans at one of Circle Fresh's network farms, where they learn agricultural skills and gain on the job experience by growing sustainable, greenhouse-raised crops.

Veterans can complete the program in nine months or less and have the opportunity to join Circle Fresh's network once they're done, providing participants with potential for sustainable, long-term income.

We were proud to see the Veterans to Farmers program highlighted in the Denver Business Journal, The Fence Post, The Colorado Springs Independent and on 9News, 7NEWS and Examiner.com.

We encourage you to read the stories and let the veterans in your lives know about this special program. Veterans to Farmers is doing important work - providing our communities with fresh, healthy and organic produce, while helping our veterans adjust back into a productive civilian life.

Zocalo Sells Solera for Record Price

2011-11-10T12:10:00.013-07:00

Last month, The Stasko Agency helped Zocalo Community Development announce the sale of its downtown hi-rise apartment building Solera, which fetched $37 million in a deal with a New Jersey real estate company. The sale was a record for the state of Colorado and garnered the attention of the Denver Business Journal, Inside Real Estate, the Denver Post and Yahoo! Finance.

Solera is downtown Denver’s first LEED Gold certified apartment building and features a slew of earth-friendly finishes, including Energy-star rated appliances and high-efficiency lighting. A Personal Energy Monitor is also provided in each unit to help residents become more educated about their energy usage, saving residents up to 50 percent in energy bills. Located at 20th and Lawrence streets, Solera is just blocks away from some of Denver's best restaurants, shops and entertainment.

Zocalo, led by developer David Zucker, continues to keep us busy. In September, the company announced plans to build a 13-story, 220-unit apartment project at 17th & Chestnut streets in the heart of the Union Station. When construction starts early next year, it will be the second Zocalo project under development downtown. The other - 2020 Lawrence - is a 231-unit apartment building located a block away from Solera. Both projects will be LEED Gold certified.

We're sure David has more up his sleeve, so stay tuned. If you'd like more information about the company, click here.

1515 Restaurant Entertains Event Planners

2011-10-26T23:23:00.012-06:00

At The Stasko Agency, we strive to connect our clients with the right audience. For some clients that means performing media outreach. For others, it requires building business partnerships.

When we first walked into 1515 Restaurant and saw what a great meeting venue it was, we knew we had to raise the downtown eatery's profile among local event planners. With its exposed brick walls and large windows overlooking Market Street, 1515's dining area serves as the perfect backdrop for a rehearsal dinner, holiday party or elegant birthday bash.

So, earlier this month, we invited some of Denver's most influential event planners to experience the restaurant's inviting atmosphere and creative cuisine. The guests included representatives from Visit Denver, Skyline Productions, Convention Design, Sena Marketing Strategies, Event Designs and RevNetworking. These expert party planners sampled a wide range of items designed to showcase 1515's unique, contemporary American fare.

The menu included tender strips of Wagyu Beef, seared diver scallops, Sous Vide Colorado lamb and Fruit De Mer, a combination of lobster, mussels, clams, scallops and potato. 1515 Owner Gene Tang. who serves as a master sommelier, also gave guests a tour of his wine collection (which includes more than 450 vintages) and offered wine selections that paired perfectly with every meal.

The event planners also explored 1515's large space, which includes a private dining room for up to 55 guests, a main dining room for up to 95 guests, and a separate bar and lounge area on the lower levels available for up to 50 guests.

For more information visit www.1515restaurant.com or call 303-571-0011.

Stasko Agency Clients Top A-List

2011-10-19T23:40:00.012-06:00

Congratulations to The Firehaus Salon for winning the Best Hair Salon and Best Hair Color categories in Denver's 7 A-List awards. Competing against 341 metro-area salons, Firehaus became the first salon in A-List history to capture both categories in the same year.

Located in a 101-year old firehouse at the corner of 36th Avenue and Tejon streets in Highland, The Firehaus offers a range of services, from color and cuts to straightening and styling. And to thank customers for their support, the salon is offering a 20 percent discount off of all services during the month of October!

Denver voters also recognized 1515 Restaurant, a new client of The Stasko Agency and winner of the Best New American restaurant on the Denver's 7 A-List. The elegant downtown eatery (located at 1515 Market Street) garnered more votes than 43 other competitors, earning distinction for its unique and innovative cuisine.

Entering it's 15th year, the restaurant is offering lunch and happy hour specials for just $15.15. During lunch, diners can choose from two entrees (the Kobe Beef Burger, Pappardelle Pasta) for $15.15, while Happy Hour visitors can select one appetizer from the bar menu and two drinks for
$15.15. The offer is good until November 15th.

HeadsUp Wows Crowds at Interbike Convention

2011-10-03T15:19:00.038-06:00

Last month, The Stasko Agency client HeadsUp Systems unveiled its revolutionary new damage protection device to great fanfare at this year’s Interbike International Bicycle Convention, the bicycling industry’s largest trade show. Held in Las Vegas, the event drew more than 23,000 attendees, including retail buyers and journalists from around the world.

HeadsUp stole the show, generating plenty of buzz for its wireless alert system that helps outdoor enthusiasts avoid "racking" their roof-mounted sports gear. The system sends a signal to drivers as they approach their garages, reminding them about the bikes, kayaks, canoes and other equipment they may have mounted on top of their cars.

The company's innovation didn't go unnoticed. HeadsUp Systems was chosen as a "showstopper" (one of 12 "don't miss" exhibitors highlighted by expo organizers) during the show's first day and earned a bevy of media mentions. Outdoor industry news sites such as About.com, Gadgets SPY, XYDO, MTBR, GizMag and Bicycling.com all featured HeadsUp Systems' unique product as did blogger DC Rainmaker and the Product News Channel, which features emerging products.

HeadsUp Systems not only wowed the media, but also caught the attention of buyers looking to add the company's wireless alert system to their offerings. The company is signing up new domestic retailers every week, with one very high-profile outdoor retailer possibly stocking HeadsUp System by mid-November. By next spring, the product should be available in retailers throughout Europe and Australia.

For now, fans can find the HeadsUp System online for $169.99. And if you'd like to see HeadsUp Systems Co-Founder Tom Rieber explaining out the wireless alert system works, click here.

Stasko Agency Adds Clients

2011-09-15T17:11:00.020-06:00

I am absolutely thrilled about helping three old friends (who also happen to be successful entrepreneurs ) promote their latest achievements. Pasquini's Founder Tony Pasquini, David Zucker, principal of Zocalo Community Development and Paris on the Platte Owner Faye Maguire all have very different businesses, but they share a pioneering spirit that I truly admire and I am excited about using my skills to shine the light on what they do.

Last month, The Stasko Agency spread the word about the re-grand opening of Pasquini's Highland location, which Tony recently acquired. The event drew a big crowd and gave Tony a chance to reconnect with the neighborhood. I'll also be helping Pasquini's gain more exposure for the Lone Tree location as well as some new stores that will be coming on line in the next few months.

After a hiatus, The Stasko Agency is once again serving as the agency of record for Zocalo, a builder of sustainable, multi-family projects. On Thursday, we announced the firm's latest project - a LEED Gold certified, high-rise apartment adjacent to Union Station. The story was picked up by the Denver Post and Inside Real Estate News. I look forward to providing updates on the project and Zocalo's other developments, which include Solera and the recently launched 20/20 Lawrence Apartments. Here's a great photo of David and Mayor Hickenlooper in action during the news conference announcing Solera's groundbreaking.

Lastly, I encourage you to stop by Paris on the Platte Cafe and Bar on Friday, September 23rd or Saturday, September 24th as the cafe marks its 25th birthday. Friday night will feature music by the acoustic duo middleroad, while Saturday night will serve as a tribute to the cafe, with former and current employees and patrons sharing stories. The event, a benefit for the Colorado Coalition for the Homeless, will also include several musical performances and drawings for gift baskets and other items. Although the coffeehouse (and former bookstore) was one of the first businesses to take a chance on once lonely Platte Street, it managed to gather a devoted following of regulars who were known affectionately as "Parisites." Congrats to Faye for building an institution that holds great memories for so many, including me! Here's a look at me and my fellow revelers enjoying a "Little Black Dress" party at Paris two years ago.

LoHi Merchant Meeting Update

2011-09-10T18:06:00.013-06:00

We had another great turnout for our second LoHi merchant meeting last month at Linger. I was amazed again at the diversity of businesses represented and the number of new faces interested in joining our fledgling association. Special thanks to Linger Owner and Chef Justin Cucci, for allowing the merchants to sample the restaurant's innovative menu and tour the unique space on a night when Linger is normally closed. The view from Linger's patio is one of the best in Denver and well-worth checking out.

As a longtime Highland business owner, I'm excited about so many merchants joining forces to more effectively market everything our neighborhood has to offer. One idea that we're still working on is the creation of a welcome basket for new residents. The "basket" would contain a variety of gift certificates and merchandise from local vendors to help introduce new residents to the neighborhood and educate them about the services and products available. I am looking for help to coordinate this project, so if you're interested, please let me know.

We also discussed the idea of launching a LoHi shuttle that would run from downtown to Highland, stopping at the major business districts in the area. The shuttle could help attract tourists from downtown hotels and would drive business without adding more congestion to the neighborhood. I'll keep everyone posted as we work on making this concept a reality.

Lastly, I'm excited to announce that we've secured a URL for the merchant group and hope to develop a website soon to promote our activities. I'm also sending out updates on events and discounts through the new "Merchant Messenger," so if you have something you'd like me to include, please let me know. The best way to reach me is via email - lu@staskoagency.com

Our next meeting will be held from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. on September 26th at Spuntino, 2639 W. 32nd Ave. I hope to see you there!

Cellar Wine Bar Shines Spotlights on Cocktails

2011-08-24T17:22:00.017-06:00

Last month, a group of local media gathered at Cellar Wine Bar in Lower Highland to sample the venue's impressive menu of newly crafted cocktails. Known as the Sake infusion series, the cocktails feature fresh fruits, herbs and other seasonal ingredients and are the brainchild of Erik Catelle, an award-winning mixologist who recently joined Cellar's staff.

We were excited to get feedback on the new concoctions from our media panel, who agreed to rate their favorites from a field of six contenders. The judges included: Margaret Jackson and Penny Parker of the Denver Post; North Denver Tribune Editor Elisa Cohen and writer Basha Cohen; Downtown Denver News Publisher Samantha Martel, Wine Spectator Writer Jayne Russell, Denver By the Slice blogger David Huntress and his wife, photographer Diane Huntress and Piper Vitale of Colorado Expression. Here's a look at the lovely Natsu Kyurri - a summertime spritzer cocktail with muddled cucumber, a ginger basil infused simple syrup, Sake and a splash of soda served on the rocks.

The Natsu Kyurri looked pretty, but the Lychee Colada - a fruity blend of fresh-muddled lychee, coconut milk, fresh squeezed lime, Sake and a dash of soda - proved most popular. Coming in a close second was the cleverly named Sake Tini, a modern take on the martini which mixes Sake, vermouth, olive juice and star fruit. Third place went to the simple yet sophisticated Blooming Champagne, a beautiful pink drink featuring hibiscus flower, champagne and bitters. Thanks to our judges for serving as a taste testers. Here they are hard at work.

The three media faves are now fixtures on Cellar's menu. True to its name, the bar also offers more than 40 wines by the glass. If you'd like to sample some of their selection, consider attending Cellar's next wine tasting on September 7th. The event, which showcases Infinite Monkey Theorem's wines, will run from 6:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. You can find more information about the tasting here.

HeadsUp Helps Outdoor Enthusiasts Protect Their Gear

2011-08-21T23:26:00.020-06:00

Attention outdoor enthusiasts: Have you ever driven into your garage with a bike or kayak still on your roof rack? Well, a new product developed by Stasko Agency client HeadsUp Systems should help you avoid making that mistake ever again. The product - launched just last week - is a wireless alert system that sends a signal to drivers as they approach their garages, reminding them if they have bikes, kayaks, canoes and other sports equipment mounted on top of their cars.

The HeadsUp System costs $169.99 and includes an LED alert sign that mounts inside the garage, tiny wireless tags that attach to bikes, kayaks, etc. and a wireless “alerter” that stays in the vehicle. When a driver returns home with gear on the roof, the sign in the garage flashes and the alerter inside the car sounds a warning tone to prevent the driver from entering the garage.

The alert system is the brainchild of competitive cyclist Tom Rieber, who drove his roof-mounted bike into the garage 15 years ago, after a long night of riding. Rieber joined forced with Karl Sowa, a former marketing executive for GeoCities (among other start-ups), to make HeadsUp Systems a reality.

We're excited to help Tom and Karl spread the news about HeadsUp, which was highlighted by Denver Business Journal Columnist Bruce Goldberg in June. The product is now being reviewed by editors at several cycling and outdoor recreation publications, so expect to hear more about HeadsUp in the coming months.
And if you have a horror story about "racking" your equipment in the garage, feel free to share it with the folks at HeadsUp. Post your story (and any accompanying photos) on the HeadsUp website and you could win a free alert system. Subscribers to the site will vote on the stories next month.

For more information, visit www.headsupsystems.com

Highland Merchants Unite

2011-08-08T17:27:00.013-06:00

Anyone who knows me, knows how passionate I am about everything the Highland neighborhood has to offer. So, I was thrilled to see more than 50 local merchants turn out July 25th, for a tour and informational meeting at Tejon34. Hosted by Stasko Agency client Red Chair Realty Advisors, the event gave merchants the opportunity to view a beautiful property and learn more about the neighborhood where they run their businesses. Attendees represented a wide range of businesses, from restaurants such as Highland Tap and Burger and Pasquini's to
retailer such as Goldyn and Amendment XXI and the new dentistry practice, Pearl Dentistry.

Red Chair partners Paul Tamburello and Rick Flanagan provided an update on commercial and residential projects and also offered information about the changing demographics of the neighborhood. As a longtime Highland resident and business owner, I was happy to share some fun facts about my favorite stomping ground. Did you know that:

Highland includes more than 7,000 households
When you are speaking about both the Lower Highland and West Highlands, it's commonly referred to as "The Highlands." But when the Lower Highland - on its own- is simply called Highland (no "s").
There are 48 retaurants/bars in the neighborhood.
Highland is bounded by Federal Boulevard to the west, Interstate 25 to the east, 38th Avenued to the north and Speer Boulevard to the south.
Highland is home to seven churches and one monastery.

We also discussed more effective ways to work together as business owners. To help spur more partnerships, I'll be sending out a "Merchant Messenger" to promote merchant specials and events. We are also in the process of creating a welcome gift basket for new residents that would include items and discount cards from local businesses.

Since the response to the first gathering was so strong, we've decided to start meeting monthly! Our next event will be held on August 29th from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. at Linger, 2030 W. 30th Ave. If you want to learn more, feel free to call or email me - 303-477-9902/lu@staskoagency.com. Also, be sure to follow me on Facebook for updates: www.facebook.com/TheStaskoAgency.

Tejon34 Sells First Unit

2011-07-15T23:56:00.010-06:00

The Stasko Agency is proud to announce that Red Chair Realty Advisors has sold its first unit in the Tejon34 development. The three bedroom, three-and-a-half bedroom townhome located at the corner of 34th Avenue and Tejon Street, sold on June 27th for $855,000. The 3,000-square foot unit features a two-car garage, a master suite with five-piece bath and more than 1,000-square feet of outdoor living space.

Buyer Jim Hill, who is leaving Centennial for life in the city, said he and his wife were attracted to Tejon34 because of its size and spectacular views of the Denver skyline.
"It has the same square footage as our suburban home, it's just laid out differently," noted Jim. "And we like the fact that there's a lot of outside space. The rooftop deck is a real selling point."
Indeed, here's a peek at the view from the deck of Jim's new home:

Jim also liked Tejon34's close proximity to dining, bars, bike paths and major sports facilities. The property is also a "smart" development, featuring Energy Star rated Viking appliances and a high-efficiency gas fireplace.

It doesn't hurt that Highland has been getting a lot of publicity lately for it's great lifestyle and amenities. 5280 Magazine named the neighborhood one of Denver's most compelling and Downtown Denver News featured Tejon34 in its most recent issue. You can read about it here. Be sure to look for news about the development in the next issue of Out Front Colorado.

Built by River Meadow, LLC, Tejon34's first phase includes five units. Two units are the market and two others should be ready for sale by September. For more information check out the Tejon34 blog.

Cellar Wine Bar Celebrates First Anniversary

2011-07-04T23:33:00.024-06:00

Congratulations to Cellar Wine Bar, which just celebrated its first anniversary. To mark the occasion, we helped the LoHi lounge throw a festive summer party that also served as a fundraiser for the Urban Green Development Sustainable Scholarship Foundation. The foundation is raising money to fund one full-ride scholarship for a North High School student interested in pursuing a career in green and renewable industries.

Cellar Wine Bar owners Brian Delgado and Sandra Lopez donated $1 from every glass of wine sold during the party to the foundation. The cause is especially close the couple's heart, since they met and fell in love as students at North High. The pair, who married in August 2005, chose to open their business in Highland because of their connection to the neighborhood. As successful entrepreneurs, they serve as role models for current North High students. The anniversary celebration provided the opportunity for Brian and Sandra (pictured below left) to thank the community for its support, while providing a hand up for future generations.

The event drew a big crowd and guests included new North High principal Nicole Veltze, Shapes Salon Owner Richelle Bishop-Gonzales, Denver Public Schools board member Arturo Jimenez, Wine Spectator writer Jayne Russell and Metromix/9News reporter Heidi McGuire.

Thanks to all who joined us for the festivities. If you haven't already, please check out Cellar Wine Bar, located at the corner of 15th and Umatilla. The bar offers 35 different types of wines by the glass as well as sake, beer, cocktails and Spanish-influenced appetizers, including beef and potato empanadas. A patio is the works, which should provide the perfect spot to while away the remaining summer days.

MSEC featured in Colorado Business Journals

2011-06-24T14:31:00.003-06:00

A survey conducted by our client, Mountain States Employers Council, has recently been featured in several media outlet, including the Denver Business Journal:

"Colorado businesses are experiencing double-digit percentage increases in insurance costs for the third straight year and are passing along a greater portion of them to employees, according to a new survey by the Mountain States Employers Council (MSEC).

Health coverage costs rose an average of 10 percent from 2010 to 2011, according to the 541 companies that reported an increase this year, said Patty Goodwin, director of surveys for the employers’ support organization that has about 3,000 member employers."

Click here to read more.

Hula Hoop Contest at Little Man Ice Cream

2011-06-22T14:19:00.003-06:00

Burn calories, support a local nonprofit, and have a chance to win a great prize, all at once! Come on down tonight, Wed. 6/22 at 7:30pm to Little Man Ice Cream for their Annual Hula Hoop Competition! The grand prize: two 3-day passes to see Widespread Panic at Red Rocks (a sold out show!) Grab your friends and your hula hoops and shake it for your chance to win the prize! Registration is only $15 for competitors, and all the proceeds will benefit The GrowHaus, an interactive, indoor urban garden and education center.

For information, call (303) 455-3811. (Remember to bring your own hula hoop!)

Circle Fresh Farms Gains Ground

2011-06-13T23:00:00.012-06:00

Denver's farmer's markets serve as a great source of locally-grown fruits and vegetables every summer. But where do you go during the off-seasonfor fresh fare? One of our clients - Circle Fresh Farms - is helping to solve that dilemma by working with local farmers to grow pesticide-free produce year-round in greenhouses.

The Denver-based company has a network of five farms that are supplying tomatoes and lettuce to Whole Foods stores throughout the metro area. Circle Fresh helps the farmers by providing access to financial resources, sales and marketing support and guidance on growing food hydroponically in greenhouses. Some of the farmers, such as former Longmont nursery owner Jon Hulme, have transitioned to completely new crops with Circle Fresh Farms' help.

Jon's shift from growing trees to producing tomatoes has already caught the attention of several local media outlets, who covered the farmer's first tomato harvest earlier this month. His success story was featured in the Boulder Daily Camera, Longmont Times Call and Boulder County Business Report. Here are a few pictures of Jon, his beautiful tomatoes and one of his happy harvesters.

We expect Circle Fresh Farms to garner more exposure as it add more farms to its budding network. In addition to selling its products at Whole Foods, the company is also working on local restaurants that may want to feature locally-grown produce on their menus. So, consider asking where the food is grown next time you dine out. Happy eating!

Employment Law Conferences Gain Attention

2011-05-31T13:24:00.008-06:00

We want to send out a hearty congratulations to Mountain States Employers Council, which just wrapped up a series of well-attended Employment Law Conferences throughout the state. The conferences were held in May in Denver, Fort Collins, Grand Junction and Colorado Springs. Geared towards managers, supervisors and Human Resource professionals, the annual conference covers the most significant employment law updates. This year's conference, which included sessions on workplace incivility and changes to disability laws, captured a good amount of media attention.

MSEC experts shared their insights about these important topics with the Grand Junction Daily Sentinel, the Glenwood Springs Post Independent, the Grand Valley Business Journal, NewsChannel 5 (the CBS affiliate in Grand Junction) and KRDO (1240 AM) in Colorado. Gregg Moss of 9News' morning broadcast also interviewed Mark Parcheta, an attorney with MSEC and a panelist at all four conferences. You can view that interview here.

Thanks to Mark and his colleagues Lorrie Ray and Evan Abbott for making themselves available while juggling their conference duties. Here's a photo of Evan and Mark at the Denver conference.

We also wanted to say kudos to Linhart PR for winning a Colorado BMA Gold Key award for its work on HealthSource Colorado. HealthSource Colorado is a groundbreaking health plan available to MSEC members through UnitedHealthcare, a Linhart client.

Tejon 34 Offers Sustainably "Cool" Homes

2011-05-25T12:29:00.014-06:00

Our recent rainy weather probably has most of us thinking about how to stay dry rather than keep cool. But summer is right around the corner and with that in mind, our newest client, Tejon 34, offered a great presentation last week about how its units were built to help residents beat the heat while being kind to the environment.

Rather than installing standard air-conditioning, which can be a huge energy hog, Tejon 34 went green with a unique evaporative cooling system from Speakman Cooling. Speakman Cooling Director Russ Waters visited LoHi last week and explained how their system works to local realtors and developers gathered at Tejon 34. (See how transfixed they are)?

Speakman's system can cool within the same range as air conditioning but uses up to 80 percent less energy. And, the system filters more particulates from the air than AC, providing better air quality. Evaporative coolers also don't contain any chemical coolants, which can deplete the ozone layer.

Tejon 34, an Energy Star rated development located at 3400 Tejon Street, is the first multi-unit residential project in Colorado to feature Speakman's system. The company's other units have been installed mainly in single-family homes in the area. Tejon 34's innovative cooling system is only one of several green features the project boasts. The units (which range in price form $799,000 to $900,000) offer everything from windows made of recycled glass to a heating system that relies largely on water rather than gas or electricity. To check out all of the project's great energy-saving elements visit www.tejon34.com.

Crafty Ladies Becomes Hot Clique for Beer-Loving Chicks

2011-04-29T16:37:00.021-06:00

Forget book clubs and knitting circles. If you want to hang with the cool crowd, check out the Crafty Ladies Beer Club at Highland Tap and Burger. The gathering of beer-loving babes has become one of the hottest tickets in town since Metromix Host Heidi McGuire featured the club on April 14th on the 9 p.m. broadcast on KTVD-My20. Check out Heidi's great report here and this photo of Heidi in action.

After the report aired, the May 3rd meeting of the Crafty Ladies sold out. Since demand was so high, Stasko Agency client Highland Tap and Burger added another event on May 17th.

Don’t let the name “Crafty Ladies” give you the wrong idea—this is not your typical gathering of women. While there is still plenty of time to share gossip, these ladies don’t come to do all the talking. And they certainly aren’t drinking tea.

The club is the brainchild of Amy Pardee (pictured below), who started the Crafty Ladies so that like-minded women have a time and a place to come together and share their knowledge and passion for beer. Amy invites professionals from different breweries around Colorado to attend each meeting to talk about the beer making process and answer all the ladies’ burning questions about craft beer.

Past events have included guests from New Belgium Brewing Company, Left Hand Brewing Company, Avery, and Ska brewing company (Since Ska is currently without a female representative, we had to make an exception and invite a gentleman).

Don’t miss your chance to learn, drink and mingle with the Crafty Ladies. To sign up for the May 17th meeting please email Amy Pardee here.

Toast Earth Day at Amendment XXI

2011-04-17T23:31:00.016-06:00

Many of us already eat "green" - by opting for either organic or locally-grown food. But did you know that it's possible to drink sustainably as well? To find out more, visit Amendment XXI in LoHi, which is featuring Earth-friendly wines during its April wine tastings. During the tastings, Amendment XXI owner Leo Bortolotto will offer samples of a number environmentally-friendly wines and explain the processes vineyards use to produce "greener" vintages. You might be surprised to learn that these wines are not only good for the Earth, but taste good too!

Amendment XXI is offering five percent off of any Earth-friendly wine during the month of April. The shop also encourages environmentally-minded behavior year-round, by offering a four-bottle , reusable tote for $3.99. Customers receive a 5 percent discount every time they fill the bag. And finally, farm-to-food fans will be pleased to discover that this summer, Amendment XXI will serve as a drop-off point for Grant Family Farms, part of the Community Supported Agriculture movement.

Open since 2009, Amendment XXI is located on the corner of 15th and Boulder Streets in the heart of Lower Highland. Be sure to check out this clip of Leo being interviewed about Earth friendly wine on KWGN's Everyday show. You can view it here:

Urban Dwellers Opens New Showroom

2011-03-27T15:25:00.013-06:00

Even before we landed urbandwellers™ as a client, we were big fans of their creative and cool home furnishings and accessories. So as long-time admirers, we're happy to see them generating lots of buzz for their new flagship showroom. The 1,000-square-foot space opened in the historic Water Tower Lofts in downtown Denver earlier this month and has already scored mentions in The Denver Post, the Denver Daily News and the online version of Denver Life Magazine.

The showroom allows urbandwellers™ co-founders Bruce Littlehorn and Larry Beard, Jr. to illustrate just how well their designs function in a small, urban space. The company's three main collections— hōm™, flō™, and shīn™—feature products that solve challenges in the urban environment, such as limited space, noise, storage and privacy. Their pieces, which range from custom wall systems to self-contained water features, balance aesthetic beauty with practical lifestyle application. The photos below provide a peek at their innovative furnishings.

Modern in Denver Magazine also lauded urbandwellers' unique water fountains in its Spring issue, praising the company for "mixing engineering skills with a dose of practicality."

We encourage you to check out urbandwellers yourself. Tours of the showroom are available by appointment and can be scheduled online or by calling urbandwellers™ at 303-536-5040. Located at 2960 Inca Street, Unit 214 in downtown Denver, the showroom is open Tuesday through Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Saturdays from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.

Did Someone Say Party?

2011-03-17T10:33:00.014-06:00

A big part of my job involves hosting events to help clients gain exposure and form valuable relationships with audiences they want to reach. Now, I'm not going to lie - "party" planning sounds fun, but it's actually a lot of work! Luckily, the Stasko Agency team helped coordinate two great events recently that went off without a hitch.

On March 10th, we promoted a reception at the Denver Press Club for event planners. The purpose was to raise awareness about what a great venue the historic Press Club is for a variety of gatherings. We're happy to report that the event was a huge success with several attendees exploring the possibility of booking the Press Club for a range of events - from a monthly business dinner to a jazz event. Just look at all these happy attendees!

I want to thank the following individuals for their support and participation in the event: Bruce Goldberg, President of The Denver Press Club and columnist at the Denver Business Journal; Jen Lester, Board Member of The Denver Press Club and co-owner of Philosophy Communications; and Carmen Green, Press Club General Manager.

I also owe a big debt to my intern, Marisa Stainkamp, who assisted me from the beginning to the end of the campaign and Denise Connor, former president of the Concierges Association, who brought a huge amount of enthusiasm and energy to the table and reached out to the event community. We couldn’t have done this event without everyone’s participation and help.

This past Monday, we used our event planning skills to introduce Highland Tap and Burger to the very influential concierge community. The popular eatery presented a menu tasting for the Concierges Association of Colorado, which includes concierges from the Brown Palace, the Ritz Carlton, the Loews Denver Hotel, and the Cherry Creek Shopping Center concierge desk. The event drew 35 concierges, who enjoyed such Highland Tap specialties as the Cutthroat Porter Braised Short Rib sandwich, Stranahan's Barrel Smoked Chicken Wings and the Chimi Burger - a 1/3 pound Angus burger covered with aged white cheddar cheese, chimichurri sauce and lettuce. The concierges were also treated to a flight of craft beer. Check out the tasty line-up.

Our goal was to expose the concierges to a place “locals” hang out. The hope is that concierges will recommend Highland Tap to out-of-town visitors looking for local flavor.

Please keep us in mind if you're looking to organize an event to raise your profile!

Highland Tap and Burger Brews Up Excitement

2011-03-04T15:35:00.012-07:00

Our friends at Highland Tap and Burger are a creative bunch. They've worked hard to show patrons that their charming neighborhood tavern is so much more than just a sports bar. In fact, Highland Tap and Burger is turning into a great spot for a variety of gatherings.

Case in point: On February 25th, Highland Tap and Burger played host for town hall meeting and fundraiser for Denver mayoral candidate James Mejia. The event drew a great crowd, who heard the aspiring mayor-to-be outline his plans to improve the local economy and focus more attention on education. Here, Highland Tap co-owner Juan Pardo mingles with James Mejia.

Shifting from fundraisers to fine food - Juan appeared on the Gabby Gourmet show on 630 KHOW the very next day to plug the pub's participation in Denver Restaurant Week. Highland Tap and Burger is offering a screaming deal - a $52.80 dinner for four, that includes two appetizers, four burgers and four draft beers or house wines. Couples can enjoy dinner for two (one appetizer, two burgers and two draft beers or house wines) for just $26.80. Check out Juan promoting Highland Tap on air.

Finally, on March 1st, Highland Tap and Burger drew more than 30 of Denver's loveliest beer drinkers for the first monthly meeting of the Crafty Ladies Beer Club. The women's-only craft beer club will meet the first Tuesday of each month to hear a speaker from one of our fine local breweries discuss all things beer - from how the ale is made to what food pairs best with a certain type of Pilsner. This month, the speaker was Kelly Tretter, a microbiologist with New Belgium Brewery.
The first event was a tremendous success and we look forward to many more festive meetings. Just look at how happy these beautiful beer drinkers are!

With March Madness and Fat Tuesday on the horizon, there's lots more in store at Highland Tap. To celebrate Mardi Gras, Highland Tap will be offering $4 Hurricanes and $2 Southern Comfort Lime shots.

For more information click here or "like" Highland Tap and Burger on Facebook.

Augie's Quest

2011-03-01T16:44:00.015-07:00

As many of you know, the best part of my job is that I wake up every day never knowing “who” I am going to meet or “what” wonderful and exciting experience will come my way on any given day. Last Wednesday was one of those days. I had the opportunity to meet one of the most inspirational men I have ever met – Augie Nieto.

In 2005, Augie was diagnosed with ALS or Lou Gehrig's disease, as it's more commonly known. The disease has taken a huge toll on Augie physically, but has done little to diminish his spirit. Over the last five years, Augie has raised nearly $27 million for ALS research through his fund-raising campaign, "Augie's Quest." Augie and his wife Lynne have partnered with the Muscular Dystrophy Association's ALS Division to raise awareness through public appearances, speaking engagements, media interviews, and public service announcements. He was here last week to share his story with the Young President's Organization, which held its Global Leadership Summit in Denver.

Augie was able to talk with me via a computer he controlled with his feet and eyes. He has a wonderful sense of humor and an amazing will to help others. While visiting with Augie – I was moved to tears - - literally - - I can’t express what a beautiful experience it was! Below is a photo I will treasure for a lifetime.

I was privileged to help promote Augie's appearance and the upcoming ALS fundraiser, The 5th Annual A Gift of Time Mile High Bash, which takes place at Invesco Field on March 19th. Radio host Stephanie Riggs interviewed Lynne about Augie's work and the fundraiser on her show, Divine Calling, which airs on KRKS 94.7 FM. 850KOA Health Reporter Robbyn Hart also conducted an interview with Lynne, which should air in the coming weeks.

I hope you'll consider supporting the Nietos' efforts by attending the Mile High Bash. The event includes cocktails, a silent auction, dinner, a live auction and entertainment. Tickets are $150. More information can be found here.

And please take a moment to watch this footage from the Today Show to learn more about Augie's story. I am certain it will move you as it did me.

Mountain States Employers Council Poll Grabs Headlines

2011-02-15T17:18:00.018-07:00

We consider ourselves lucky to work with clients who make our job easy. Take Mountain States Employers Council, which supplied us with a great story to plug for Valentine's Day. The organization polled its members and found that a whopping 77 percent had employees who met their spouses at work. We thought the survey results were interesting and so did local media, who featured the Mountain States poll in several stories about workplace romance.

Our release about the survey was picked up by the Colorado Springs Business Journal, the Northern Colorado Business Report and Dow Jones News Columnist Al Lewis, who featured the poll on his blog.

In addition, we landed interviews for Mountain States Membership Development Director Lorrie Ray with three television stations and Denver Post business columnist Penny Parker, who lead her Sunday column with the pros and cons of workplace romance. You can read all about it here. Kudos to Lorrie for spending Valentine's Day making the morning news rounds. She was interviewed on 9News, KWGN's Daybreak and Fox 31's Good Day Colorado.

Check out the photos of Lorrie in action. The first two feature Lorrie on the set at Daybreak. Fox 31 Anchor Melody Mendez interviews Lorrie in the second, while the third shows Lorrie getting prepped for her 9News interview with Gregg Moss.

Interestingly, Lorrie was just interviewed last week by 9News reporter Kyle Cabodi about the recent resignation of Douglas County Sheriff Deputy Jeff Egnor. The interview can be viewed here.

With experts on a variety of workplace issues, Mountain States is in a good position to capture more attention in the future.

Stasko Clients Spreading the Love This Valentine's Day

2011-02-13T22:43:00.018-07:00

Our clients are offering something for everyone this Valentine's Day - from couples who want to start the day toasting with mimosas to singles looking to end the day with a great burger and beers.

Gallop Cafe is giving sweethearts a good reason to get up early, with a Valentine's Day brunch featuring a blend of breakfast specialties as well as heartier fare. Available from 6:30 a.m. until 3 p.m., the brunch will also include half-priced wines, two for one margaritas and two for one Bloody Marys.

The Gabby Gourmet gave Gallop lots of love earlier this month during her noon segment on 7News, highlighting such Gallop mainstays as Soul of Autumn Eggs Benedict and Shepherd's Pie - both included in the Valentine's Day brunch. Here are Gallop owners Glen Baker and Dave Grafke getting cozy with Gabby on the set.

For those searching for evening options, Highland Tap and Burger is offering a four-course dinner for two, complete with wine and beer pairings. The special Valentine's Day deal (which is $38 not including alcohol), includes an Amuse Bouche, Two Hearts Salad (fried artichoke hearts, Haystack goat cheese and hearts of palm), and the Surf 'N Turf burger - a one-third pound burger topped with lump crab meat, grilled asparagus and bearnaise sauce. The restaurant was recently reviewed by the Denver Post's Bill Porter, who called Highland Tap and Burger "a place for a raucous good time in a sprawling room, a wide range of brewed beverages, and an ambitious menu presided over by a top-drawer chef, Elijah Odell, and a friendly, attentive staff." You can read the review here.

Of course, if you want to give that someone special a gift that will last a lifetime, consider couples massage classes. In honor of Valentine's Day, Symmetry Therapeutic Massage spa is offering three-hour massage classes for just $150 per couple. Couples can choose from traditional massage or specialties such as Thai massage and hot stone. Symmetry also has couples massage sessions if you prefer leaving the work to someone else.

We feel so lucky to have so many great Valentine's Day options so close to home. Happy Valentine's Day!

Little Man Strikes a Chord with Chilly Deal

2011-02-02T14:28:00.012-07:00

Little Man Ice Cream owner Paul Tamburello found a unique way to drive sales of frozen treats on the coldest day of the year. On Tuesday - when the high was a one below zero - he offered $1 pints of ice cream (two per family) for those brave enough to weather the cold. The deal not only resonated with bargain-hunting ice-cream lovers, but also caught the attention of 9News
and 7News, which both ran stories on Little Man's offer.

Believe it or not, the chilly deal was so popular that Little Man nearly ran out of ice cream and at one point, people lined up on the sidewalk on 16th Street for what Paul had dubbed the "pink-cheeked pints"! Check out the photos of Paul's interviews with the stations and customers taking advantage of the offer. You can also view the 9News story here.

We had a great time helping Paul publicize the deal. Thanks to the hearty camera operators for covering the story and the loyal customers who made the offer such a success. Remember, Little Man also has sandwiches, soups and hot drinks if you're in the mood for something warm.

Stasko Adds Highland Tap and Burger as Client

2011-01-27T14:53:00.018-07:00

We're thrilled to share the news that popular hot spot Highland Tap and Burger is our newest client! The neighborhood eatery and pub opened last September and has been drawing steady crowds ever since, thanks to its friendly atmosphere and food that is several notches above typical bar fare.

If you want to learn more about the mastermind behind Highland Tap's delicious dishes, check out Westword writer Lori Midson's interview with Executive Chef Eli Odell here. Several of the restaurant's signature items were also featured by the Gabby Gourmet as part of her "Food Finds" feature on 7News. Here's a great pic of Gabby with Eli and Highland Tap Owner Juan Pardo.

Even more impressive than the food, is just how entrenched Highland Tap is in the community. The restaurant sponsors the North High School wrestling team and has hosted fundraisers for A.C.T.S Resource Center and Servicios de la Raza among others. The restaurant has also created a Wednesday night running club, whose members meet at the bar and then embark on a 5K loop around the neighborhood.

We're proud to call Highland Tap a client and can't wait to help them grow their business! Hopefully, we'll see you there on Super Bowl Sunday!

Stasko Agency inks deals with Mountain States, Dawson Foundation, Urban Dwellers

2011-01-20T10:46:00.017-07:00

We're proud to announce that we've been retained again to provide publicity services for Mountain States Employers Council and the Alexander Dawson Foundation. Mountain States is the region's largest employer services organization, with 3,000 member employers. The non-profit offers guidance on employment law and human resources and also provides training and informational surveys.

The Alexander Dawson Foundation is a Las Vegas-based non-profit, which provides educational enrichment opportunities for high-achieving, public school students. The organization offers a tuition-free summer program for middle school students in Lafayette.
Check out students from last summer's program hard at
at work at last summer's Denver TEDx educational event.

Finally, we're proud to share the news that we've recently become the agency of record for Urban Dwellers, a Denver design firm that engineers smart, engaging, and high-quality products to meet the needs of city dwellers. We'll be working to raise awareness of the company's innovative collections, which include space-saving, customizable, wall units, natural lightscapes and streamlined water features (pictured below).

We look forward to gaining more exposure for these clients in the coming months!

Stasko Clients Kick Off Year with Coverage

2011-01-09T13:08:00.014-07:00

Happy New Year! 2011 is already off to a good start, with our clients seeing results from seeds we planted late last year.

The January issue of Parts & People magazine features a great story on entrepreneur Greg Sands, owner of 20 auto repair shops across the country (including one in Parker and another in Thornton) and founder of the direct mail company Mudlick Mail. We've been working with Greg since last September to raise awareness of Mudlick Mail, which helps auto repair shops increase business through direct mail campaigns.

To read the article, click here. Greg's marketing insight was also recently highlighted in Tire Review magazine and aftermarketNews. Greg will also be a featured contributor in the upcoming January/February issue of Shop Owner magazine, where he'll talk about why direct mail makes sense for auto repair shops.

Shifting from cars to food, we're proud to report that Highland hot spot Gallop Cafe got a shout out last month in Denver by the Slice. The urban food blog posted this great pic of the cafe's much lauded Bloody Mary, which should help convince you that breakfast beverages really are the most important meal of the day.

The Stasko Agency's 2010 Highlight Reel

2010-12-29T10:34:00.029-07:00

Between new opportunities, go get'em clients and major life events, there was rarely a dull moment in 2010. Before we jump into 2011, let's take a look at some of the highlights from this past year at The Stasko Agency.

January 2010: The Stasko Agency joins facebook! Find and friend us at www.facebook.com /thestaskoagency

February 2010: We help promote the grand opening of two fantastic new businesses in Denver: HBurger Co (16th and Blake) and Highlands Wellness Center (32nd & Zuni). Check out the picture album from HBurger's soft opening.

March 2010: Root Down wins the Mayor's Design Award for Reclaimed Splendor, making them our 3rd client in a row to be recognized for this award. See the pictures.

April 2010: The Stasko Agency promotes Webbchange's involvement in the "I am Free Enterprise" video contest hosted by the U.S. Chamber of Commerce. Read our blog and watch thei r video entry here.

Lu, Shelby, & Dan attend the Denver Press Club's Runyon Awards Banquet featuring P.J. O'Rourke.

May 2010: We get the unique opportunity to offer publicity services to the National Cohousing Conference in Boulder. Despite a tight schedule, we see great results, with articles in The Denver Post, Boulder Daily Camera, and insiderealestatenews.com, and an interview on Channel 9. Learn more about this unique conference...

June 2010: Peloton homeowner Jeff Pedelty moves to his new condo by bike! Pedelty's story is picked up all over Colorado and a documentary of his journey is shown at the Boulder Film Festival on the official Bike to Work Day. Read the story on the Boulder Daily Camera.

We plan, promote and execute a successful Merchant Happy Hour in downtown Littleton for our client Nevada Place.

July 2010: The Stasko Agency works with the Dawson Center Summer 2010 program as the students participate in TedxDenverEd alongside colleague Janine Underhill. Read more!

Mountain States Employers Council and UnitedHealthcare announce an innovative health plan that encourages wellness for Colorado small businesses.

August 2010: For a second year, The Stasko Agency puts together a media tour for former HUD Secretary Henry Cisneros. The resulting message from this year's tour was "Worst may be over for Colo. housing market"

The Stasko Agency's Shelby Bernard becomes Shelby Arnold after she gets married in Golden!

September 2010: Root Down is recognized in the New York Times.

Lu Stasko is featured on Blacktie Colorado's Have you Met...

Erika Gonzalez of Scoop PR joins the Stasko Agency team.

October 2010: Bruce Jenner participates in the Mudstock 2010 training summit hosted by our client Mudlick Mail. Read the blog for the full story...

Gallop Cafe is featured on Channel 2's Daybreak and Everyday. Check out the pictures or visit our blog to see the coverage.

We help promote the Colorado Culture of Health Conference, co-hosted by the Colorado Business Group on Health, LiveWell Colorado, the Colorado Physical Activity and Nutrition Program, and Mountain States Employers Council.

The Stasko Agency lends a hand with the grand opening of Guy Harvey's Perfect Spot in Northfield. Read more!

November 2010: Solera Apartments' launch party is a smashing success, with over 550 guests touring and partying in their newly finished building. After months of planning, we couldn't have been more pleased with the turnout. See the professional pictures on Solera's facebook page.

Wyland's Ocean Blue hosts their grand opening in Northfield, attracting media and fans alike. The Stasko Agency worked alongside PR colleague Tina Menditto to promote the event, which was featured on Channel 9, Metromix, Westword and more. Check out our blog entry...

Root Down holds a Winter Cocktail Competition for the Denver Media. The Dama Lama and Duck a l'orange are the winning drinks.

December 2010: The Stasko Agency's client, Wyland's Ocean Blue, is the chosen venue for a beautiful and intimate Gabby Dinner, hosted by Gabby Gourmet.

A special thanks to our family, friends, clients and colleagues for making this such a memorable year. We look forward to all that 2011 holds and hope to reconnect with you soon!

Gabby Dinner at Wyland's Ocean Blue

2010-12-22T11:38:00.004-07:00

Acclaimed Denver restaurant critic Gabby Gourmet hosted one of her Gabby Dinners at Wyland’s Ocean Blue this past Wednesday in the Northfield Shopping Center. We had a lovely evening dining with Gabby and 30+ friends and guests, enjoying a flavorful four-course meal and wine pairing. Wyland’s elegant and playful atmosphere proved an ideal space for our intimate party.

You may remember that The Stasko Agency helped host the Wyland’s Ocean Blue Grand Opening back in November. Check out our blog post to see pictures from the event.

If you haven’t had a chance to experience this marine-inspired restaurant, we highly recommend stopping by. Enjoy daily happy hour specials from 4-6pm and 9-12am. Call 303-574-0449 for reservations.

Root Down Hosts Winter Cocktail Contest

2010-12-10T09:41:00.028-07:00

Last month, we were lucky enough to spend an evening at Root Down sampling an array of creative cocktails with some of our favorite media gal pals. But this was no ordinary ladies' night. Our task was to choose Root Down's official Winter Cocktail, grading nine unique drinks on such important criteria as taste, aroma and presentation.

Our lovely judging panel included: Westword Staffers Patty Calhoun, Lori Midson and Nancy Levine; Denver Post Business Writers Penny Parker and Margaret Jackson; Heidi McGuire of 9News/Metromix and Denver Daily News Publisher Kristie Hannon.

Check us out listening to Root Down's master mixologists Anika Zappe, John Manwaring and Allie Geppert explain their approach to crafting cold-season cocktails. (Can you see how eager we are to perform our duty)?

Anika, John and Allie concocted three cocktails each for the competition. The holiday-themed drinks, such as Red Rider, (named after the BB gun Ralphie pined for in A Christmas Story) and Silent Sigh, had us feeling pretty festive.

While we enjoyed many of the offerings, our favorites were drinks that distinguished themselves with hot and hearty flavors. The Dama Lama, a spicy drink featuring Espolon Tequila, Habanero pepper-infused agave and cilantro tied for the top spot with the ginger and duck-flavored Duck a la Orange. Both drinks will be featured on Root Down's winter menu, along with the runners up - Red Rider and Silent Sigh.

You can read about the contest in the Denver Daily News!

Thanks to all of the judges and to Anika, John and Allie for crafting such tasty contenders!
Cheers!

Happy Thanksgiving from The Stasko Agency!

2010-11-24T10:46:00.013-07:00

In 2010, our reasons to be grateful have been abundant! We've had the opportunity to work with many brilliant and talented people, have seen our company grow, and have shared in our clients' successes.

This year, our entire office building--the Frawley House--got together to celebrate an early "family-style" Thanksgiving around our conference table. We even spiced things up with some festive hats and decorations.

As we went around the table, sharing our thanks, it was obvious how much we have going for us. Even the smallest blessings make a huge difference when we take the time to notice them.

We felt thankful to have such a fun group of people to share the holiday with. Take a look at some of the pictures from the day and click the picture to see our facebook album:

We wish you all a very happy Thanksgiving! As you celebrate the holiday, consider this quote:

"The secret of happiness is not found in seeking more, but in developing the capacity to enjoy less." - The Way of the Peaceful Warrior

Wyland's Ocean Blue Opens in Denver

2010-11-17T13:26:00.015-07:00

Did you happen to take a look at 9news.com today? If you did, you might have seen The Stasko Agency's Lu Stasko and Shelby Arnold kissing the cheek of renowned marine wildlife artist Wyland.

The Stasko Agency worked alongside PR colleague Tina Menditto to promote the Grand Opening of Wyland's newest restaurant, Wyland's Ocean Blue, at The Shops at Northfield Stapleton. Wyland himself was present at the VIP reception last night, which drew over 250 artists, media, fans and locals. Even the LinkedIn Rockstar, Mike O'Neil, was there to partake in the excitement.

Below, The Stasko Agency poses with Wyland. (Picture credit: Howie Grapek, Metromix)

Wyland's breathtaking artwork is sought by millions of collectors, and his nationwide galleries are considered a must-see on the itineraries of travelers everywhere. You may be familiar with Wyland's Whaling Wall mural project – an epic series of one hundred life-sized marine murals that spans twelve countries and four continents. (Learn more about the Whaling Walls...)

An upscale, fine dining restaurant and art gallery combined into one, Wyland's Ocean Blue features sustainably caught seafood, farm-to-table meats, and coastal Pacific flavors with local and seasonal influences. A portion of the proceeds from each meal will go toward the Wyland Foundation and the Think Blue Foundation, both of which support conservation of the Earth's precious waterways. Learn more about Wyland's conservation and advocacy efforts at www.wyland.com.

Make sure to check out Metromix's online photo album for a complete look at last night's event.

Holiday Shout Out: The Bookery Nook

2010-11-08T09:40:00.009-07:00

With the holiday season upon us, we'd like to encourage our loyal readers to shop local and buy gifts that support our Colorado neighborhoods.

Today we're giving a shout out to our favorite independent bookstore, The Bookery Nook, located at 4280 Tennyson Street in Denver. You may remember that The Stasko Agency worked with The Nook in May last year to help them kick off their grand opening event.

Owners Shannon and Gary Piserchio have done a fantastic job growing their business since opening their doors last spring. Selling much more than books, this dog-friendly bookstore is a one-stop shop for creative cards, specialty candy, kid's toys and unique handcrafted items by local vendors. The Nook also hosts numerous author and speaker events that appeal to every age group. Their most recent series covers topics relating to sustainability (read more here).

To make holiday shopping even easier, The Bookery Nook has started a Wish List Program where you can keep a running tally of all the titles that have caught your eye. The Nook has over 2,000,000 titles available to them, and if someone picks a book for you that isn't in stock, they'll have it in the store within 4 business days.

And finally, for grins and giggles, check out one of the new Bookery Nook ads (taken by Shannon herself) featuring our very own Shelby Arnold. Isn't it fabulous? See more on the Bookery Nook Blog. Just a reminder that a good book is always within reach. Especially if you shop at The Bookery Nook.

Guy Harvey's Perfect Spot opens in Northfield

2010-10-27T09:55:00.015-06:00

This past Friday, The Stasko Agency was honored to attend and support the grand opening of Guy Harvey's Perfect Spot Bar & Grill, a new fishing-inspired restaurant in Northfield Stapleton.

Guy Harvey's is a one-of-a-kind experience, inspired by the art of renowned marine wildlife artist and fishing hall-of-famer Guy Harvey. Fitting to their new Colorado location, Perfect Spot Bar & Grill takes on a warm and inviting lodge-like setting, complete with a stone fireplace, canoes and fish mounts.

The restaurant serves a colorful menu featuring sustainably caught seafood and American fare. Dishes include fresh water favorites such as rainbow trout, walleye, and steelhead trout along with staple items such as soups, salads, sandwiches and burgers priced from $6.99 to $16.99. They will also feature a weekly happy hour from 3 to 7 p.m. Monday through Friday.

Major kudos to fellow PR Pro Tina Menditto for all her hard work on the event. It was quite a success!

Below, Guy Harvey cuts the ribbon at the Grand Opening (left) and snaps a shot with our very own Lu Stasko (right).

Gallop Cafe on Channel 2

2010-10-20T11:39:00.011-06:00

Highland's Gallop Cafe went 2 for 2 this week, with two different segments on Channel 2 "The Deuce."

Last Friday, anchor Chris Parente stopped by Gallop for a special tasting of the dinner menu (served Thursday-Saturday). Armed with a flip camera (and a friend to share all the food), Chris filmed the whole experience and then aired the footage on Monday's Everyday segment. Here's Chris hamming it up with Owner Glen Baker:

Following rave reviews on Monday morning's segment, Gallop Cafe headed to the Channel 2 studio to prepare the Soul of Autumn Benedict live on Daybreak. Owner/Chef Dave Grafke and assistant chef Christina Mintu set up a beautiful presentation and got all the ingredients ready.

Click here to check out the pictures we took during set up at the studio.

(Follow The Stasko Agency on facebook for updates on the latest and greatest news, events, and publicity campaigns!)

We couldn't have been happier to see Gallop get the kudos they deserve. Watch the segment featuring David Grafke and Tom Green here:

Want a taste of this delicious fall dish? You can try the recipe yourself or simply stop the by Gallop Cafe, located at 32nd & Zuni.

Root Down's Star Continues to Rise

2010-10-15T18:42:00.009-06:00

Root Down's "green" grub received another nod in The Week, a national magazine dedicated to highlighting the best news and opinion in U.S. and world media. The magazine's September 24th issue summarized The New York Times story praising Root Down, The Squeaky Bean and Fruition for offering "farm-to-fork" food.

Jay Cheshes wrote the piece in August, but we're glad to see The Week give the story new legs. The restaurant is now working on its autumn menu, which is being crafted based on which items will be available through local vendors. We'll post something on the new menu as soon as we can.

Solera's Grand Opening Event!

2010-10-13T09:41:00.011-06:00

After much anticipation, Denver's first LEED Gold rental community, Solera, has announced their Grand Opening party, scheduled for Wednesday, November 10th.

Walk the "green carpet" with the rest of downtown Denver and enjoy live jazz music, libations (including Solera's very own fall cocktail), catered hors d'oeuvres, and drawings for prizes from local Denver restaurants and businesses! Every guest will be entered in a drawing to win the grand prize--a free bike, courtesy of Wheat Ridge Cyclery.

This exclusive Toast & Tour is a "Don't Miss" event and by RSVP only, so make sure to send an email with your name and how you heard of the event to party@soleraliving.com.

Here are the event details:

Solera Grand Opening Event

Wednesday, November 10, 2010
5:00 to 8:00 PM

1956 Lawrence Street
Denver, Colorado 80202
(303) 381-7777

RSVP to party@soleraliving.com (a must for guest entry!)

For more information on luxury green apartment living in downtown Denver visit www.soleraliving.com or "like" them on facebook at http://www.facebook.com/SoleraDenver

Bruce Jenner Offers Insight to Mudlick Mail Customers

2010-10-04T00:09:00.015-06:00

Call it our brush with Bruce. Last month, Olympic champion and reality television star Bruce Jenner served as the keynote speaker for the Mudstock 2010 training summit hosted by Stasko Agency client Mudlick Mail. A direct mail provider for the automotive service industry, Mudlick brought Bruce to Mudstock (held in tiny Kingston, GA) to inspire attendees, who were there to learn strategies to grow sales.

Bruce not only earned rave reviews from Mudstock participants, but also garnered plenty of coverage from online news sites. The social media releases we distributed to promote Bruce's appearance at the event received nearly 85,000 impressions and were picked up by celebrity sites such as Celebopedia, Zimbio and the auto blogs justgoodcars and All World Automotive.

The local newspaper - the Rome News-Tribune - also turned out to interview Bruce, pictured here with Mudlick Mail CEO Greg Sands and Mudlick Mail President Tim Ross. The article and a video of the interview can be viewed here.

The Stasko Agency is excited to be teaming with Erika Gonzalez of Scoop PR to provide media relations services for Mudlick Mail. Erika was a longtime reporter at the Rocky Mountain News and served as the spokesperson for the Colorado Lottery before starting Scoop. Welcome to the Stasko family Erika!

Root Down Recognized in New York Times

2010-09-29T10:15:00.008-06:00

As a Highland mainstay, The Stasko Agency is always happy to see our burgeoning neighborhood gain some positive publicity. So, we were thrilled when the New York Times recognized three Highland hot spots for serving dishes made from locally-raised livestock and homegrown produce.

The article, which hit newsstands last month, highlighted Root Down, The Squeaky Bean, Colt & Gray and the central Denver bistro Fruition.

We've been touting Root Down's "field to fork" philosophy since the restaurant opened in December 2008. The eatery's environmentally-friendly approach landed Root Down a spot on the Green Restaurant Tour last April and was the focus of a Vista TV feature. You can check out the segment here .

Congrats to Root Down and all the great restaurants who received props for growing their own food. We're lucky to have such a wide array of fresh food available so close to home!

Touring Solera, LEED-Gold Apartments in Denver

2010-07-26T09:25:00.000-06:00

This past week, The Stasko Agency had the opportunity to tour Zocalo Community Development's newest LEED-Gold certified apartments, Solera. Some of you may remember these sustainable apartments from when we hosted the groundbreaking launch party last summer at 1956 Lawrence Street. (Read about it here...)

The building has made unbelievable progress in the past year and is now nearing a fall completion. Check out the transformation since May 2009:

Solera will be the first LEED-Gold rentals in the entire Rocky Mountain region and one of only a few dozen in the country. By living in a sustainable apartment, residents will likely experience noticeable savings on their energy bill compared to similar apartment buildings. Zocalo’s first LEED multi-family project – award-winning RiverClay – outperformed projected energy savings, reducing energy consumption by nearly 60 percent compared to EPA standards.

Seeing the completed model only strengthened our excitement over this cutting-edge building. Every detail seems to be perfectly executed--from the beautiful finishes and energy-efficient appliances to the spacious layouts and loft-style celings. We found ourselves envious of the future Solera residents, who will literally be a short walk from Invesco Field, 16th Street and downtown Denver hotspots.

In fact, Solera has been dubbed a "Walker's Paradise" by the popular Walkscore.com, with a walkability rating of 95 out of 100.

Check out the view from Solera's rooftop terrace:

Zocalo Community Development has definitely struck the perfect balance of form and function with these units. We can't wait for the first residents to move into their homes in the next few weeks so we can hear firsthand what the experience is like.

If you're looking for a downtown Denver rental, or know someone who is, we strongly recommend taking a tour of these sustainable apartments. More information can be found on their newly launched website (www.soleraliving.com) and blog (www.blog.soleraliving.com)

Also, check out the article about Solera in the Denver Daily News this past Wednesday: Solera: Green living downtown by Ben LeDoux. (One slight correction: there are actually 120-units in the building, not 110!)

Lastly, make sure to stop by Solera's Facebook Page & "like" them to stay updated on the latest and greatest.

Dawson Center Students Participate in TEDxDenverED

2010-06-30T17:58:00.012-06:00

This past Monday, The Stasko Agency was gearing up for the hightly anticipated TEDxDenverED event, knowing that we’d likely never make it in to see all the speakers.

That’s because our true clients for the night were five talented middle-schoolers who were invited to participate as Graphic Recorders for the event. These students are part of the Dawson Center Summer 2010, a tuition-free academic program for high-achieving public school students. For five weeks, sixth and seventh graders from Boulder-area public schools delve into a challenging curriculum built around a specific theme.

As part of this year’s curriculum, students are learning the art of graphic facilitation, which helps create a tangible, visual representation of concepts and discussions to build understanding and participation.

Through the leadership of Janine Underhill of Idea-360, the students are learning to draw their own visual maps as they develop solutions to problems presented in their research, which this year focuses on how epidemics shape society.

Five of the students were given the opportunity to practice these new skills by joining Janine at the TEDxDenverED event. They supported presenter Dafna Michaelson by coming up with graphic headers for several large towers surrounding the RAISE YOUR HAND campaign.

TedxDenverED is an independently organized event under the guidance of TED, an annual event where some of the world’s leading thinkers and doers are invited to share what they are most passionate about. “TED” stands for Technology, Entertainment, Design — three broad subject areas that are, collectively, shaping our future. This particular event aimed to foster and spread ideas that will impact K12 education in America.

The Stasko Agency was delighted to participate in this momentous event, particularly as advocates of these brilliant students. Our goal was to spread the word about the unique program offered through the Dawson Center, as an example of a new, ground-breaking education opportunity.

We will continue to share about the students’ successes as they finish out the program and hope to show you more of their visual maps surrounding epidemics. From what we’ve seen so far, these students will be TED speakers themselves before we know it.

A Successful Merchant Party at Nevada Place

2010-06-04T15:34:00.010-06:00

The Stasko Agency is proud to welcome Nevada Place to our client list this summer! We are delighted to once again work with developer Jonathan Miller, a 20-year industry veteran with a knack for remarkable finishes and upgrades in all of his homes.

These beautifully appointed condos are located just a block from historic Main Street in downtown Littleton and walking distance from the Lightrail Station. The ideal location, single-level floor plans, and large scenic balconies give the homes a luxury feel while keeping the small-town charm.

To get the community involved in the development's progress, we coordinated a successful Merchant Happy Hour to welcome and educate the local merchants from Littleton Main Street. Wine, music and delicious appetizers, courtesy of Opus Restaurant, kept the party alive as we chatted with the many talented store owners. We couldn't be happier with the turnout, which also included city officials and a special appearance by the Mayor of Littleton, Doug Clark. Here we are with the developer's wife, Debbie Miller.

Hard hat tours were also on the bill, of course. (Aren't these hats fantastic?) Here is Jonathan Miller giving the merchants a tour of the development's enormous underground parking garage. We are all eager to see the final product, which is set for an on-time completion this September.

The event gave us the opportunity to learn about the unique community these new homes will be a part of. We're excited to see how the area continues to flourish.

If you're interested in learning more about Nevada Place, check out www.visitnevadaplace.com

The National Cohousing Conference Comes to Boulder!

2010-05-14T10:25:00.013-06:00

Since it began in 1993, the National Cohousing Conference has been held across the country, drawing in cohousing residents, professionals, community organizers, architects, and sustainability experts from around the world. This year, The Stasko Agency has been asked to play a role in spreading the word about this amazing event and educating the media and public about the movement of cohousing!

Scheduled for June 18th-20th at the University of Colorado-Boulder, the National Cohousing Conference will focus on the theme "Sustainability through Community." Highlights of the event include: CoHo University with intensive workshops; Featured Speakers; Community Tours; Conference Sessions with more than 60 presentations; and a fundraising banquet.

Time out: What is Cohousing?

Cohousing is a form of intentional neighborhood in which residents actively participate in the design and operation of their own community. In cohousing, residents know their neighbors well and enjoy a strong sense of community that is typically absent in contemporary cities and suburbs.

Cohousing communities consist of private, fully equipped dwellings and extensive common amenities including a common house and recreation areas. Most communities forge a strong partnership with a professional development team. Together they create a custom-built, resident-managed, close-knit neighborhood that offers a healthy balance of privacy and community. The six defining characteristics of cohousing are:1) Participatory process; 2) Neighborhood design; 3) Common facilities; 4) Resident management. 5) Non-hierarchical structure and decision-making; 6) No shared community economy.

Once a small grassrootsy collection of cohousers, the annual event now attracts over 300 people from around the United States and beyond, with the 2009 conference drawing attendees from 10 countries.

Key speakers for this year's conference include: Bill McKibben, environmentalist and author (June 18), Dave Wann, author and community expert, (June 18), Charles Durrett, architect and author (June 20), and Kathryn McCamant, architect and cohousing expert (June 20).

Registration for this multi-day conference is still open and available to the general public. Visit http://www.cohousing.org/2010/overview for more information!

In the meanwhile, take some time to learn about cohousing & what it means for the residents. Check out What is Cohousing? to learn more about how the communities come together or read research findings on Commonly Asked Questions. Pretty incredible stuff!

WebbChange enters "I am Free Enterprise" video contest!

2010-04-12T14:39:00.017-06:00

After two hard years of work, our dear friends and fellow entrepreneurs at WebbChange are making their dream a reality with the launch of their revolutionary social search application, WebbChange.com!

WebbChange.com combines functions of Facebook, Twitter, Wikipedia, Digg, StumbleUpon and Google, to create a “social stock market” for websites and articles. Users are able to organize, search, share and assign value to interesting and relevant content on the web using a new virtual currency called, you guessed it, WebbChange.

We're blown away by what we've seen so far, and predict big things for this site in the coming weeks and months as users continue to populate the site.

Now here's where you come in:

To kick start the launch and spread the word to the masses, WebbChange has entered the U.S. Chamber of Commerce's "I am Free Enterprise" video contest. The top 25 viewed videos by April 16th (this Friday!) will be selected to to advance to the next round with an opportunity to win up to $50,000 that can be used toward their venture.

Travis Russell (founder) and Bill Clanton (CEO) are looking for support in the form of video views. Help out The Stasko Agency and WebbChange by checking out the 3 min WebbChange video entry:

(Can't see the video? Click here to visit their YouTube page.)

Every view is a vote, so don't hesitate to share it with friends/family/co-workers and everyone else you know. For more information about the "I am Free Enterprise" competition, check out www.freeenterprise.com

Congrats to WebbChange on this exciting and literally "web-changing" launch!

Green Route Restaurant Tour Begins Today

2010-04-05T14:03:00.011-06:00

Today marks the start of the Green Route Restaurant Tour, a month-long showcase of Denver's sustainable restaurant scene. (Check out "Dine Green this Month" in this morning's Denver Daily News.)

The tour, which is part of Green Space Colorado, will showcase eight of Denver's greenest restaurants throughout the month of April. (And Root Down is one of the participants!) Learn about each restaurant's green efforts while enjoying drink & appetizer specials.

Here's a look at the tour schedule:

1515 Restaurant
Monday, April 5, 6-8 pm
1515 Market Street

WaterCourse Foods
Wednesday, April 7, 6-8 pm
837 East 17th Ave. #103

SAME Cafe
Monday, April 12, 11 am-1 pm
2023 East Colfax Ave.

City O' City
Monday, April 19, 6-8 pm
206 East 13th Ave.

Snooze Eatery
Tuesday, April 20, 10 am-12 pm
2262 Larimer Street

ZCuisine
Wednesday, April 21, 5-7 pm
2239 West 30th Ave.

duo Restaurant
Monday, April 26, 5:30-7:30 pm
2413 West 32nd Ave.

Root Down
Wednesday April 28, 6-8 pm
1600 West 33rd Ave.

Tour passes are complimentary and can be downloaded here. Simply RSVP for the places you want to check out, present your pass to the host, and enjoy!

All of the participating restaurants are part of Denver's Green Route, which, according to greenroutedenver.com, is "a green map for the City of Denver that showcases the cutting edge sustainable businesses and organizations making our city a global leader in sustainability."

Download the Green Route Map for a list of incredible earth-friendly businesses across the city.

For those of you who didn't already know, here are some sustainable facts about Root Down:

100% wind powered
Seasonal organic on-site garden
Local farms, sustainable and organic products are used whenever possible
Reverse osmosis water for all cooking, drinking, ice and sodas
Cardboard, glass, plastic and cooking oil are all recycled
Approximately 70% of Root down was built and finished with reclaimed, reused and recycled materials (including a basketball court as the dining room floor and a bowling alley as the bar top)

Hope you can make it to one or many of these incredible restaurants this month. Be sure to mark your calendars!

Don't Forget to Spring Forward!

2010-03-12T16:39:00.003-07:00

Just a little Friday humor from your friends at The Stasko Agency. Have a great weekend!

The LinkedIn Rockstar Gets You Linked In

2010-03-03T10:49:00.016-07:00

In a world where "social media" is at every turn, it can be hard to gain perspective on the who, what, when, why, how, and how often of this powerful business tool. Luckily, there are people who not only "get by," but excel in building successful media campaigns, and we've had the opportunity to watch and learn from these experts to help boost our PR strategies.

The Stasko Agency recently had the pleasure of sitting down with THE LinkedIn Rockstar, Mike O'Neil. Mike is a social media expert and the author of his very own LinkedIn-related book, Rock the World with your Online Presence: Your Backstage Pass to a Multi-Platinum LinkedIn Profile. With over 1,000 concerts under his belt and 10,000 hours of LinkedIn and social media experience, it's no wonder how Mike earned his title.

Mike ranks 27th in all of LinkedIn for his number of connections, which is over 25,000. (Note: the max is 30,000). His partner, Lori Ruff, ranks 9th of all women on LinkedIn. And each have 30k + followers on twitter as well.

Realizing a growing need for social media done right, Mike and Lori are spreading the love by teaching eager learners how to build their profile, grow their network and connect with the right people.

In fact, the dynamic duo has an event coming up on March 10th that still has some spots open. If you know that building your social media presence is something you need to do, but don't know where to start: this is it.

Social Media Experts Mike O'Neil and Lori Ruff offer a Linkedin Training Clinic on Creating your own Multi-Platinum LinkedIn Profile.

When: Wednesday, Mar 10, 2010, 9:30AM to 12:00PM

Where: Jobing.com, 1391 Speer Blvd, Suite 850, Denver CO 80207

Cost: $89 includes autographed book! (Tip: use the discount code "rockstar" to receive $20 off) This is fantastic value for what you will be receiving.

Registration: 9:10AM - 9:30AM

Hands-On Clinic: 9:30 - Noon

"Hands-On" means you'll actually get time during the seminar to implement the tools and suggestions you're given in the training to build your profile then and there. Bring your Laptop!

In the meantime, take some time to connect with Mike and Lori online to see what they are doing and how they are building their networks.

Facebook: Mike O'Neil Facebook Fan Page

Twitter: @MikeONeilDenver @loriruff

LinkedIn: Search for Mike O'Neil or Lori Ruff

Restaurant Week & Root Down

2010-02-26T13:06:00.010-07:00

Denver Restaurant Week 2010 kicked off on February 20th and lasts until March 5th. During this two-week event, guests can enjoy a multi-course dinner for the fixed price of $52.80 for two or $26.40 for one. If you haven't already, visit www.denver.org/denverrestaurant and make plans to visit one (or many!) of the 225+ participating restaurants.

One of our favorite restaurants, Root Down, was featured in Tucker Shaw's article in The Denver Post on Wednesday, titled "These 10 restaurants define Denver's culinary momentum." In addition to Root Down, the list includes: Olivea, Rioja, Super Star Asian, Fruition, Bones, Chiopotle, Lola, the Squeaky Bean and Table 6.

Tucker writes: "These are Denver's most important restaurants right now, in February 2010. Some are new, bringing fresh perspectives; some are stalwarts whose initial ambitions are finally being fully realized. Each reflects, and enriches, this moment in Denver's culinary and cultural life. Each deserves a visit."

Congratulations to our friends at Root Down--we're so proud! Don't forget to vote for them in 5280's Top of the Town. We found that they fit in so many categories (brunch, burger, patio dining, soup, un-beef burger, vegetarian, happy hour menu, cocktails..), so if you can't decide, we recommend putting them down for each one. Visit our previous blog about 5280's TOT for details on how to place your vote.

Happy Friday, everyone! Enjoy your weekend and make sure to get out on the town to enjoy some of Denver's latest and greatest places to dine.

Fat Tuesday & New Friends

2010-02-17T13:18:00.006-07:00

This year, The Stasko Agency celebrated Mardi Gras Denver-style! Though it was nothing like a true NOLA party, we enjoyed a festive parade before stopping by the Wynkoop Brewing Company for their Fat Tuesday Mardi Gras Celebration. The entertainment was fantastic and Kent High School R&B Ensemble blew us away with their performance. Check them out on Facebook!

We'd like to send a special shout out to some new friends we met from Bechtel Communications, Inc. In town from all over the country, these guys were wonderful company and we wish them the best during their time in Denver.

We promised a few food recommendations, and, although we have MANY, the two we suggested based on their likes and preferences were: Root Down (32nd and Osage) and Buckhorn Exchange (10th and Osage.) Let us know what you think, gentlemen!

You never know who you'll meet when out and about. We love running into interesting people and making new connections--that's a huge part of our job.

Did you do anything exciting for Mardi Gras or Valentine's Day? We'd love to hear.

Highlands Wellness Center Grand Opening

2010-02-10T10:08:00.012-07:00

For all our Highland dwellers out there (and anyone interested in health and relaxation), an exciting new business is opening up in the neighborhood. An exceptional group of local health practitioners have come together to create the Highlands Wellness Center.

The newly renovated center, located off 32nd and Zuni, will celebrate their Grand Opening tomorrow, February 11th from 6:00pm to 9:00pm. Drop by 2416 W 32nd Ave to enjoy live music, appetizers, wine and custom blended teas. You will have the opportunity to sample many of the services and enter a drawing for full treatments. The first 100 guests will receive a free goodie bag!

The Highlands Wellness Center will promote wellbeing and therapy for the mind and body. Services include acupuncture, Rolfing©, psychotherapy, yoga, energy healing and massage therapy. The Grand Opening is hosted by Symmetry Therapeutic Massage Spa, Allison Benner, Certified Rolfer, Danielle Vance, MA. LPC, and all of the practitioners at the Highland Wellness Center.

Duo, Pasquinis Pizzeria, Gallop Cafe and Taqueria Patzcuaro will provide their own specialty food and treats for guests to enjoy.

If you're interested in attending, simply send an informal RSVP to Celeste O'Brien at celeste@symmetrymassagedenver.com to show your support and let her know you're coming.

We've already gotten a sneak peek of what Symmetry Therapeutic Massage Spa has to offer and now there's no turning back. We're hooked!

Place your Vote: 5280's Top of the Town!

2010-02-08T09:32:00.019-07:00

5280's Top of the Town voting is underway! There are so many local businesses that need your support, so take the time to check out the ballot and fill in your favorite spots for food, diversions, services, shopping and people.

Here's what to do:

Go to http://www.5280.com/tot

Enter an email address (to keep things fair/secure)

Activate your ballot

Write in your vote for your Top of the Town choices (you don't have to fill every category in!)

Submit!

Some of the local spots we included in our ballot:

Root Down, CY Steak, H BurgerCO, Little Man Ice Cream, Rosa Linda's, Gallop Cafe, The Squeaky Bean, Gaetano's, Patsy's, Pasquinis, Anna Be, Samantha Louise, The Bookery Nook, Highlands Wellness Center, Shapes Salon, & Symmetry Massage

And SO many more.

Where are your favorite places to go? We'd love to hear. But more importantly, 5280 would love to have your input. Please take the time to take a gander and let your voice be heard.

H BurgerCO Opens in Denver

2010-02-05T15:01:00.007-07:00

Wherever new restaurants, delicious food and media come together, that's where The Stasko Agency wants to be. So when we heard that H BurgerCO, the newest gourmet burger joint in Denver, was opening up on Blake Street, we were delighted to help our buddies make their grand debut an event to remember.

With several successful soft openings under their belt, H Burger will host their Grand Opening to the public on Wednesday, February 10th at 11:00 am. With close to 5,000 fans and friends on facebook, you can only imagine the kind of turn out they will see! They've really hit the mark with their cool new concept which puts a twist on a classic American meal.

We won't hesitate to admit that we've been devouring the food left and right, and cannot get enough. Aside from the traditional burger, H BurgerCO also serves turkey, lamb, fish and veggie options, not to mention a host of distinct sandwiches, salads, and sides. Of course our favorite is the liquid nitrogen-cooled milkshake inspired by Chef Ian Kleinman (pictured here with owner Pete Pflum at one of the soft openings). We highly recommend the Raspberry Crème Brulee shake to accompany any dish. (yum.)

And apparently we're not alone in our excitement. The media has shown great support already as well--check out the front page of the Denver Daily News or read The Business Journal and Westword articles online.

H Burger will be open for lunch and dinner seven days a week. Make sure you drop by the corner of 16th and Blake on Wednesday to see what all the buzz is about, and find your way to their facebook page to stay updated on the latest news and happenings.

In the meanwhile, check out what the H BurgerCO website says about the name:

What the H?

You want to know what the H stands for? You’re not alone. But we’re not telling. Like the recipes for our Handformed, fresh ground 100% Angus beef, our Hand-cut fries, our House salads and sides, and our Homemade desserts, that H is our little secret. Sure we want you to feel at Home Here when you’re Hungry, and yes, we want you to Have a Heckuva time, and absolutely, we Hope you are filled with Hamburgery Happiness. So we Harnessed the Hairless Head of the wildly innovative Chef Ian Kleinman, who conceived a Haute, Heavenly spin on classic American fare, with a Heap of Healthy options. We Hope for your Habitual return, but we’re not spilling the beans on the meaning of that H, so don’t even ask.

Real Estate Spotlight: The Peloton in Boulder

2010-01-25T14:21:00.020-07:00

A perk to working with talented developers is getting a heads up on some of the prime living spots in and around the Denver/Boulder area. We like to highlight our real estate clients, not only because we'd like to own a home from each one, but because we know many of you (and your friends) could benefit from seeing what's out there.

Today's real estate spotlight is one of Boulder's Best Selling Communities in 2009, The Peloton. What we love about The Peloton is the unique community feel. Homeowners can literally work, dine, play, exercise, and socialize within steps of their front door.

Located off Arapahoe Avenue between 33rd and 38th Street, The Peloton is situated in the heart of Boulder, with easy access to some of the city’s most popular hot spots, including the 29th Street Entertainment District, Pearl Street Mall, and the University of Colorado Main Campus.

The community’s central location lends itself to effortless travel with shopping, dining and entertainment only walking-distance away. All homeowners also receive a free EcoPass, included in the Home Owners Association (HOA) fee, which provides unlimited usage and access to the RTD bus services.

Those looking to bike their way around town can explore the vast Boulder valley through an interconnected bike path system, which has a direct link to The Peloton’s property. Also included in the HOA is access to the Community’s very own fleet of mountain bikes, which can be checked out and used for any occasion.

Of course, the options don’t end at transportation. Homes at The Peloton are priced from the low $200s to $500s, with lofts and 1-, 2-, and 3- bedroom floor plans. Straying away from cookie-cutter configurations, the designers created more than 60 different alternatives from which to choose, with the intention of appealing to the broad interests of a community with diverse lifestyles. All of the homes offer spacious bedrooms, luxurious bathrooms, walk-in closets, and in many cases, extra amenities like fireplaces, storage closets and laundry rooms. Every configuration also includes a patio or balcony, and most of the homes have spectacular views of the mountains.

Not only do homeowners benefit from ample day-to-day living space, they also have access to The Peloton’s common spaces inside the 22,000 square-foot community center. This state-of-the-art center includes a 6,000 square-foot fitness club, 22-seat movie theatre with leather reclining seats, and a game room with billiards, shuffle table and flat-screen TVs. Residents also have access to Boulder’s only year-round rooftop swimming pool and heated deck that includes two hot tubs, barbecue grills and spectacular views of the Flatirons. One of the many benefits to community life is the extended living space located outside the four walls of a home.

For a tour of The Peloton’s homes and Community Center, you can visit the Sales Center Friday-Monday from 11:00 a.m – 5:00 p.m., or call 303.457.5230.

We also encourage you to check out the website (www.thepeloton.com) for more information about the location, lifestyle, and residences of The Peloton.

Cliff Young Returns to Denver, Opens CY Steak

2009-12-14T14:30:00.011-07:00

After spending 12 years in France, living in one of the great wine and cuisine regions of the world, nationally-recognized Denver restaurateur Cliff Young has returned to Denver to open a French-influenced steakhouse called CY Steak. The Stasko Agency has the honor of working with Mr. Young to spread the word about his new vision for fine dining, and we're thrilled to see that Denver restaurant critics share our enthusiasm.

CY Steak opened its doors in mid-October 2009, unveiling a French-influenced menu that includes an exquisite house-made Charcuterie, plateau of fresh chilled shellfish, three onion soup gratinee a la Bourgogne, Prime Delmonico rib eye, and many more well thought-out selections. Cliff’s signature presentation includes roasted herbed veal marrow and a selection of seven sauces. Each dish is truly something to savor. (Is your mouth watering yet?)

The one-and-only Gabby Gourmet recently showcased CY Steak on her Channel 7 show, which highlights local restaurants that are flourising in Denver. Check out the video here.

Here's Gabby with the boys from CY Steak in front of a beautiful display of dishes. From left to right: Christopher Jensen (Charcutier), Clement McHale (Executive Chef), Tomasz Tomczyk (Sommelier/Mixologist), Gabby Gourmet, Cliff Young.

We had a great time meeting the other chefs and are so grateful to Gabby for this unique opportunity. All of the food looked and smelled delicious!

If you're looking for something extravagant and fun to do for New Year's Eve, we highly recommend spending the evening at CY Steak. The Pussycat Dolls Burlesque show will be performing in Denver on NYE at the Diamond After Dark and CY Steak has put together an exclusive package.

New Year’s Eve Dinner/Concert Package ($500):
Dinner for two at CY Steak
Bottle of Perrier-Jouet “Fleur” Champagne
2 Tickets to the Pussycat Dolls Burlesque Show — Preferred Seating

New Year’s Eve Dinner package--($125/person)

For more information, call 720-596-4513 and Mr. Young himself will help you make arrangements.

To find out more about Cliff and CY Steak, visit the website at www.cysteakdenver.com

Jefferson Park Holiday Tour & Shop

2009-12-02T10:56:00.028-07:00

Jefferson Park is at it again after a successful Autumn Home Tour. On December 12th, four incredible properties will be hosting a Holiday Tour & Shop from 12-4pm, complete with seasonal treats.

Tour the homes (and bring a friend) while getting some shopping done! Each model will feature gifts and treasures from local artisans and retailers.

Jefferson Park Holiday Tour & Shop
Saturday, December 12th
12pm to 4pm

Bryant25
2507-2527 Bryant
$599,000-$629,000
Listed by: Barbara Henderson, 303.349.5422
Kentwood City Properties

Frontview 40
2650 Frontview Crescent
$150,000-$585,500
Listed by: Laura Scholtz, 720.231.1803
Kim Cato, 303.669.0781
MB Platinum Real Estate Group

Jefferson Park Townhomes
2778-2798 W. 22nd Avenue
$499,000-$649,900
Listed by: Brandis Meeks, 720.297.1692
Carrie Craig, 303.519.9099
Team Exclusive at Keller Williams

Zocalo Condo #301
2195 Decatur Street
Low $300's
Listed by: Sarah Harman, 303.475.0784
Powerhousing Real Estate

2833 W 25th Ave
Renovated Victorian
$449,000
Listed by: David and Heather Crowe, 303-931-2345
Live Urban Real Estate

Be sure to check out the Jefferson Park Properties Facebook Page to stay updated with the area happenings.

Jefferson Park Autumn Home Tour

2009-11-18T14:22:00.014-07:00

This weekend, five of Jefferson Park's newest residential developments will host a Jefferson Park Autumn Home Tour!

Jefferson Park Autumn Home Tour

Saturday, November 21, 2009

12:00pm-4:00pm

Frontview 40
2650 Frontview Crescent
$150,000-$585,500
Laura Scholtz, 720-231-1803
Kim Cato, 303-669-0781

Bryant25
2507-2527 Bryant
$599,000-$629,000
Barbara Henderson, 303-349-5422

Jefferson Park Townhomes
2778-2798 W. 22nd Avenue
$499,000-$649,900
Brandis Meeks, 720-297-1692
Carrie Craig, 303-519 9099

2055/2057 Eliot
Brand New Duplex
Each Priced at $585,000
Jim Nussbaum, 303-885-0073

2401 Bryant
New Duplex
$589,000
Liz Richards, 303-956-2962

No reservations required, just show up and look around at your leisure. Hope to see you (and your friends) there! Click on the map for directions!

A Successful Month at The Stasko Agency

2009-11-16T13:11:00.014-07:00

Denver might have seen a few snowstorms already, but this season is just heating up at The Stasko Agency, with great press and new opportunities coming our way!

Our client, Root Down, received national recognition in the November issue of Elle Décor Magazine. A special thanks to 5280’s Amanda Faison for the shout out in her article “ELLE DÉCOR Goes to Denver” (read full article here). We love it when Denver gets the acknowledgment it deserves, and Amanda did a fantastic job highlighting the “must see” spots in this vibrant city.

Root Down also won a Mayor’s Design Award this past Thursday for the category Reclaimed Splendor, which recognizes “adaptive reuse of space and materials.” Our nomination was a no-brainer for this one, and we were happy that Mayor Hickenlooper thought so too! Congratulations to Justin Cucci, Paul Tamburello, David Schaich, and Tom Hewitson for this outstanding accomplishment.

This is Paul Tamburello’s third consecutive Design Award, on top of The Olinger Complex (2007, Reclaimed Splendor) and Little Man Ice Cream (2008, Wild Card). The Stasko Agency is certainly lucky to have worked with such successful and design conscious projects over the years.

With the holidays around the corner, you better bet that we’ll be busy with events and parties to showcase and celebrate our clients! Stay tuned to learn more about the collaborative Jefferson Park Home Tours and C Y Steak’s unique Holiday Party opportunities.

Thanks for your continued support and stay in touch!

Darn Deadlines.

2009-10-21T15:09:00.008-06:00

Just a little humor to brighten this cloudy Denver afternoon! Happy Hump Day, from your friends at The Stasko Agency.

Henry Cisneros's Denver Press Tour

2009-10-05T16:20:00.027-06:00

In August, The Stasko Agency got an exciting request to assist in scheduling and pitching a full press tour for Former U.S. Housing and Urban Development (HUD) Secretary Henry Cisneros. Mr. Cisneros was visiting the Denver/Boulder area to deliver a positive message about the state of the housing market, particularly in our area. Since we love to spread good news, we jumped on the opportunity and hit the phones to garner interest among the media.

Mr. Cisneros and his team arrived in Denver on September 29th with an early morning of interviews ahead of them. We hit Channel 4, Channel 7, and Channel 9 before 7:30am, making sure no moment was wasted. Mr. Cisneros grabbed breakfast and an interview with well-known real estate writer John Rebchook before heading to a speaking engagement at the Urban Land Intstitute event with Mayor Hickenlooper.

During his visit, Mr. Cisneros shared his support for extending the $8,000 tax credit for first-time homebuyers and gave his reasoning for why Denver is in the forefront of the recovery. Between federal tax incentives, low interest rates, and low home prices, Mr. Cisneros strongly encouraged that "Now is the time to buy."

After a busy morning, Mr. Cisneros headed up to Boulder to see The Peloton and visit with homeowners. The Peloton, which is financed by Mr. Cisneros' company CityView, is an example of the kind of smart growth and smart development that Mr. Cisneros touted in his message. We had a lovely lunch with some of The Peloton's residents, followed by a conference call with Mayor Hickenlooper and 7 print media representatives from Denver/Boulder to speak about affordable housing and the market as a whole.

The tour concluded with an afternoon spot on both local and national FOX news.

Needless to say, it was an action packed (and extremely rewarding) day in PR. Many thanks to our awesome Denver connections who helped us pull this together. Special recognition goes to Mr. Cisneros' Press Secretary, Forrest Beanum, who was a main player in the press tour's success. We were so grateful for this opportunity and were honored to work with Mr. Cisneros and his team.

Click on the links below to see some of the coverage from Henry's press tour:

Former HUD Secretary Speaks on Housing Market--CBS 4 Denver

Henry Cisneros joins ABC 7 News Denver and discusses the Case Schiller S&P Indices Report--KMGH Channel 7 News

Former HUD Secretary calls for homebuyer tax credit extension--9News Denver

Henry Cisneros has deep ties to Denver--InsideRealEstateNews.com

Henry Cisneros supports extending $8,000 tax credits--InsideRealEstateNews.com

Former HUD secretary: Extend home-buyer tax credit--Daily Camera

Housing tax-credit extension urged--Denver Post

Former HUD cheif Cisneros: Extend 1st-time homebuyer credit--Denver Business Journal

Optimism on Housing--Denver Daily News

A Summer Report

2009-08-14T13:30:00.026-06:00

The Stasko Agency has had an active summer, to say the least! With new clients, new ventures, and even a few new team-members, we've been busy finding opportunities to grow and expand our reach.

Here are some of the highlights!

Client Successes:

Coaches of Excellence was featured in The Denver Post with a fantastic article titled "Keeping sports fun for smaller sluggers." We're also proud to see that Coach O has been updating his Coaches of Excellence Blog, so be sure to check it out and see how he is impacting coaches, parents, and athletes across the world.

Cocktails, Cars, and a Cause, which raises funds for the Love Hope Strength Foundation, was hosted at Root Down on July 30th. Over 200 people came out for the event!

Root Down's superstar mixologist, Anika Zappe, brought in some publicity herself, winning two separate cocktail contests. She was dubbed "Bombay Sapphire's Most Inspired Bartender" for her drink, The Garden Party, which can now be found on Root Down's drink menu. She also took first place in the 42 Below vodka contest at Theorie for her cocktail named The Casting Couch.

The Peloton has been rolling at full speed, with 18 sales in six weeks, a new sales center location off Arapahoe, and a third retailer slated to open this winter.

The Bookery Nook hosted a successful Tennyson Showcase event, which highlighted the eclectic independent shops lining the up-and-coming street. Attendees enjoyed a wine-tasting by WineJester and hors d’oeuvres by House Bar and Restaurant, which are only steps from the Nook.

Upcoming Events:

Historic Hotel Colorado will hold the 6th Annual Devereux Polo Cup on August 29th and 30th in the beautiful Glenwood Springs. Packages are available starting at $149 which includes an overnight stay and entry to the Match and the "Meet the Players" Gala event.

Frontview 40 celebrates its Grand Reveal on Thursday, September 17th from 4-8pm at 2650 Front View Crescent in Denver. With 31 flats and 9 townhome style residences, Frontview 40 offers 1, 2, and 3 bedroom homes ranging from the upper 100s to the upper 500s. No rsvp needed, just show up. Make sure to check out the unbelievable views from the rooftop deck. Drinks and hors d’oeuvres will be served.

New Faces:

The lovely and talented Brenna Shelsta joined The Stasko Agency for the month of July to offer some support to our energetic schedules. We wish she could have stayed longer, but she's off to Sweden to study for the next few years! Can anyone say company vacation? She will certainly be missed.

We've also recently partnered with Dan Urmann, an experienced sales/marketing specialist with niche for business development and bringing new products/companies to market. With Dan on our side, we've had the opportunity to work on several new product launches. Of course we can't tell you all the details quite yet, but we can say the process has been both rigorous and rewarding. Expect to hear more about these ventures as we get closer to launch.

A Grand Grand Opening

2009-07-20T14:46:00.009-06:00

The Stasko Agency recently partnered with 3131Zuni, Highland's newest luxury flats, to host a grand unveiling of the five story project. The event, held this past Thursday, was quite a hit! We estimate that over 250 guests stopped by throughout the night to tour the spacious units, sip on champagne, and snack on hors d'oeuvres courtesy of Root Down.

Of course no event is successful without a little hard work and love. The Tamburello Team and The Stasko Agency worked together to assemble 200 creative invites to hand deliver to the local real estate agents. Sometimes a little personalization goes a long way!

If you are interested in more information about 3131Zuni, visit their website. They are just around the corner from the heart of Highland--right near Pasquini's, Gallop, and Duo.

Thank you to everyone who stopped by. We'd love to hear your feedback about the project and the party!

A Patriotic Parade

2009-07-08T09:41:00.010-06:00

Highland celebrated its Second Annual Old Fashioned 4th of July Parade this past weekend, and it was a sight to be seen! Over 850 neighbors showed up for the event, donned in red, white and blue and sporting fully decorated bikes, trikes, and wagons.

As part of the festivities, participants entered a pie-baking contest to see if their recipe could hold up against the rest. The grand prize for the competition was a 1 Month Showcase of the winning recipe at Highland's own Root Down. Christina Cowan, pastry chef at Root Down, was kind enough to be the guest judge for the event and certainly had her work cut out for her. We saw a lot of amazing pies, but 3 really captured Christina's taste buds. Here are the results:

1st place: Julie Cezadlos (far left) with a Raspberry Peach Crostata
2nd place: Olivia Freidman (middle) with a Triple Berry Pie
3rd Place: Ericka Cunha (far right) with a Hand-picked Hukleberry Pie

Christina will be creating Julie's recipe at the restaurant for the month of July, so be sure to drop by and check it out.

The afternoon had a very sweet ending, with the unveiling of a 50 foot Ice Cream Sundae courtesy of Little Man Ice Cream. Of course, all the kids gathered around, spoon in hand, and wasted no time in gobbling down the massive dessert. With great food, games, and music by Rabbit Stew, the parade was quite a hit. It's always refreshing to see the neighborhood come together and prove that Highland is a fantastic community to be a part of.

A special shout out goes to Yael Nyholm, Erin Weber-Hansen, Kristen Maldeis, Paul Tamburello, and our wonderful community sponsors for their support and participation.

Marvelous Media Coverage

2009-06-24T12:12:00.019-06:00

As an organization that supports a wide range of eclectic and newsworthy clients, The Stasko Agency has had the opportunity to work with some unique media outlets, reaching out to audiences at a local, regional and national level.

We recently positioned an article about Root Down in Spaces Magazine, a publication which showcases innovative and intriguing design and has offices across the country. The magazine is just now making its way to Denver, and we were happy to see Root Down get a three-page spread about their space. You can pick up a copy of the magazine at the restaurant, which is located at 1600 W 33rd Ave in Denver.

Through a few connections and some behind the scenes work, Root Down was also featured on TLC's What Not To Wear for the unveiling of one of their makeovers! We were able to meet one of the producers for the show, who mentioned how excited she was to see the segment come together and how much she enjoyed working with Justin and the Root Down team. It's always refreshing to network with media professionals who appreciate our clients' successes and are willing to seek out new opportunities.

We're also seeing great coverage in the real estate realm. Solera made the front of the Colorado Real Estate Journal (June 17-June 30, 2009) with an article titled "Solera soars to new heights in sustainability," which touts Zocalo Community Development's reputation for raising the bar on sustainable developments in Denver.

Coverage like this is what makes our job worth it. We'll leave you with a final thought, which was sent to us by our friend Janine Underhill with FutureWave Consulting.

“If I were down to my last dollar, I'd spend it on PR." - Bill Gates, Microsoft Founder

Now that's what we like to hear.

The Peloton Joins the Pack

2009-06-08T11:30:00.000-06:00

Things have really started rolling this summer at The Stasko Agency, particularly with one of our newest development clients, The Peloton.

When we first met Cindy from The Peloton, she struck us a great client to work with--organized, timely and ready to move forward. To our luck, the development itself shares these same great qualities! Fully funded upfront, the developer was able to create a succinct plan as to how each phase of this multi-million dollar community would play out. The first phase was completed in August of 2008, and is 60% sold out to date. This phase included 190 luxury condominium homes, an amenity rich community center, 4 retail spaces, 2 restaurant spaces and a dog park.

The Peloton is located off Arapahoe Avenue between 33rd and 38th Streets in Boulder, and has homes ranging from 750 sq. ft - 1,900 sq. ft. in the form of lofts and 1-, 2- and 3- bedroom floor plans. Expect prices between $289,000 - $849,000, with the penthouse coming in at $2.2M.

One of the most impressive buildings of The Peloton is its 22,000 sq. ft. Community Center which includes a 6,000 square-foot fitness club, 22-seat theatre with leather reclining seats, and a game room with billiards, shuffle table and flat-screen TVs. Residents can also enjoy Boulder’s only year-round rooftop swimming pool and heated deck which includes two hot tubs, bar-b-que grills and spectacular views of the Flatirons. (Sign US up!)

The Stasko Agency heads up to Boulder to see the development in person this week and we can't wait! For more information about The Peloton, be sure to check out their website at www.thepeloton.com.

Also, leave a comment if you know where the name "The Peloton" comes from. We promise a special treat to anyone who can give us the correct answer.

Great Press for Great Places!

2009-06-01T10:44:00.005-06:00

Since opening last December, Root Down has been a huge success, packing out the place daily and constantly staying in the press. We're happy to land new stories about this fun and funky restaurant and are always looking for new angles and attributes to point out. We were extremely pleased with a recent article by Dining Out which gave readers a taste of the crazy journey of Root Down, from construction to completion ("Flaming Hoops and Nouveau Nostalgia--Root Down blossoms against all odds"). We remember looking at the spot last summer and straining our eyes to imagine what it would eventually become. But over time (and with much hard work and inspiration), the old 1950s station took on Justin's unique vision and transformed into one of Denver's restaurant hotspots.

With the onset of incredible restaurants and venues such as Root Down, Highland itself has transformed into the place to be. Men's Journal recently named East Highland as one of "The Best Neighborhoods in America." (Of course we agree, but then again, we're pretty biased!) Root Down was dubbed "the city’s most interesting new restaurant" in the article, and was listed among some of our other favorites--Little Man Ice Cream, Lola, Vita--which help make this area so desirable.

We love seeing (and landing) great press for great places. Keep coming back to the blog to hear more stories about our amazing clients and all they are doing.

And if you haven't visited Highland or stopped by Root Down, let us know! We want you to be part of this ongoing story and see for yourself what all the hype is about.

Garages Just Got Grand

2009-05-27T09:29:00.011-06:00

Just because The Stasko Agency is a lady-driven company, it doesn't mean we're uninterested in the upkeep and maintenance of our cars! In fact, with summer roadtrips and multiple on-location client meetings right around the corner, we've been looking for a great place to take our Honda's to get prepped for the warmer weather. That's why we're so excited about our most recent client, Service Street.

Industry veteran Greg Sands and expert financier Bill Fagan hope to revolutionize the auto repair industry with a new concept which will not only attract the best technicians, but will also present a clean, quiet, and visually appealing facility.

Certainly service comes first when looking for a place to take your car. But it can be a daunting task to find a place you can trust for all your repair needs. And with most garages looking pretty much the same (box buildings with cars, parts, and tires outside), how do you choose one from the other? What we love about Service Street is that they promise top-notch service and set themselves apart with the design, cleanliness, and limited noise. The attention to detail (and lack of clutter) makes Service Street much more approachable.

As we've started working with this client, we've learned some valuable knowledge about the auto industry that would make life so much easier. Here's a little tip that might not have known about:

MYTH: You have to take your car back to the dealership for all repairs.

TRUTH: There are auto repair facilities that are certified and trained to handle repairs for all makes and models. Service Street employs ASE certified technicians who provide a fully comprehensive range of auto repair and maintenance services. If your dealership is closing, you should consider looking into nearby service stations, such as Service Street, that can take care of your needs.

Another perk of Service Street? They will come pick up your car and take it back to the garage, or they will take you to work after you drop your car off. Now that's customer service.

With The Stasko Agency's fair share of car troubles (broken air-conditioning and catalytic converter at the same time), it's nice to speak with people who are friendly and knowledgeable, who care about their environment and the surrounding retail developments, and who are extremely customer-centric.

What else do we appreciate? Service Street is open from 6am-8pm Monday through Friday and on Saturday from 7am-7pm. So if you can't pull yourself from work during the week, you have a full day on Saturday to get things done. And most repairs are completed within a day.

The first Service Street is located down in Parker, CO, but expect to see hundreds more sprouting up across the United States in the coming years.

Check out the Service Street Website for more details and contact information!

A Memorable Memorial Day Event

2009-05-22T11:35:00.007-06:00

If you're looking for something fun to do this Memorial Day Weekend, we highly recommend heading to Hotel Colorado for their BBQ, BLANKETS & BAND event on Sunday. The Hotel will be kicking off the summer by opening the courtyard and firing up the grill for a Bar-B-Q with all the fixin's.

Western and Americana musician and author (and good friend of ours) Jon Chandler will be putting on a live concert with his band, the Wicitones. Jon just recently won a Western Writers of America Spur Award for his song Linwood, a tribute to the final days of the infamous Doc Holliday. The song is part of Chandler’s newly-released CD The Grand Dame of the Rockies—Songs of the Hotel Colorado and the Roaring Fork Valley, which was commissioned by the Hotel Colorado.

Warm weather, professional entertainment, and tasty food. What more could you ask for?

Here are the details:

When: May 24th

Time: 1:00pm-4:00pm

Where: The Courtyard of Hotel Colorado, Glenwood Springs

What: BBQ out in the courtyard with live music

Cost: $20.00 for adults, $15.00 for seniors, $10.00 for kids

Lots of exciting events coming up this summer at Hotel Colorado, so we'll be sure to keep you updated!

Possibility Abounds

2009-05-20T14:22:00.006-06:00

It seems that "sustainability" is a sustaining theme for many of The Stasko Agency's recent clients. We have had a unique opportunity to partner with our dear friends at FutureWave Consulting to spread the word about an exciting collaborative they are facilitating in conjunction with the Sustainable North Carolina Business Council.

This collaborative, creatively named "PossibilityNOW Collaboratory," will bring together sustainability business leaders from across North Carolina in an effort to create a positive network which will allow organizations to work together to gain resources instead of competing against each other. They hope to come out of this all day event (held in Chapel Hill, North Carolina) with real and tangible solutions which will lead to inspired action.

FutureWave Consulting will not only be facilitating the event, with support of their highly experienced and diverse team, but they will also create large-scale visual maps which will chart the entire brainstorming process. We've seen their work and can't wait to see what comes out of this all-day collaboration. Check out Janine Underhill's portfolio to get an idea of what these 4' x 8' maps will look like. (Pretty impressive if you ask us!)

FutureWave is offering their services as a gift to the Sustainable NC Business Council as part of their "Pay Possibility Forward" program.

Another partner of ours, Grasp Creative Media, will be at the event to record the process and continue the momentum of this collaboration online.

This is a huge event for all parties involved and we wish everyone the best of luck as they launch their first PossibilityNOW Collaboratory in North Carolina tomorrow!

Groundbreaking News--Solera

2009-05-20T13:21:00.008-06:00

This past Friday, The Stasko Agency joined Zocalo Community Development to host a launch party announcing their newest project, Solera. We alluded to this new development in our last post, but we can now proudly reveal all the details. Solera will be a 120-unit, eleven-story high-rise rental development which is targeted for Gold LEED certification, placing it among only a handful of sustainable rental properties in the entire United States. Zocalo will be adapting their award-winning Solar Mortgage Program to apply to Solera's tenants and hope to continue making new strides within the sustainable movement in Denver.

The launch party, held on the site of Solera at 1956 Lawrence Street, was quite successful and we couldn't be happier with the turnout! We even saw quite a bit of interest from the media. (Above: Fox 31 gets footage of David Zucker and Mayor Hickenlooper). Many thanks to the Mayor for spending the afternoon with us and showing his support for all that David and Zocalo Community Development have done through their earth-concious developments.

Check out what the Westword had to say.

Solera will also be launching a blog charting the different stages they will go through to reach Gold LEED certification. Make sure to stop by www.soleraliving.blogspot.com for semimonthly updates.

Zocalo Does it Again!

2009-05-11T14:09:00.006-06:00

The Stasko Agency has been asked to help out with the launch of Zocalo Community Development's newest sustainable development! The unveiling of the project name and rendering, which up to this point has remained under wraps, will take place this Friday, May 15, 2009. Mayor Hickenlooper will be at the event to address the significance of a project like this in the Denver area.

We can't tell you all the details yet, but be certain to check back in after the unveiling for more information about how ZCD is setting new building standards in Denver.

Here's what we CAN say:

Slated to be Silver-LEED Certified
Eco-friendly features, which promise lowered living costs
Located in Downtown Denver
Rated as a "Walker's Paradise" according to www.walkscore.com
A first of its kind

We look forward to being a part of this groundbreaking event & can't wait to spread the news.

The Bookery Nook--Fun Name & Fantastic Place

2009-05-06T10:45:00.007-06:00

When we first heard of "The Bookery Nook", we could only imagine that the bookstore was as fun as its playful name. And boy was it ever. From the great corner location to the cozy vibe to the incredible decor, The Bookery Nook is just one of those places that makes you smile instantly.

Upon meeting owner Shannon Piserchio, who is just as delightful and inviting as the store itself, we fell in love with the story & the philosophy of their newly renovated bookstore. After getting laid off from her insurance job over a year ago, Shannon decided it was time for a change. She and her husband, Gary (both avid book readers and writers), decided to open a bookstore. They wanted to create a place where people (and their dogs) can wander in and feel at home. And it is certainly that.

Check out the picture timeline of The Bookery Nook from start to finish: http://www.thebookerynook.com/OurStory/

The Bookery Nook will be celebrating their Grand Opening on Saturday, May 9th & are hoping people will drop by in support of independent bookstores & small businesses.

Here are the details:

What: The Bookery Nook Grand Opening Celebration

When: Saturday, May 9 @ 11:00am

Where: The Bookery Nook, 4820 Tennyson Street, Denver, CO 80212

What to expect: Refreshments, Live Music, and a ribbon cutting and speech from André Pettigrew, Director of Economic Development

The Bookery Nook will also kick off their community outreach program called A Book in Hand in conjunction with The Colorado Coalition for the Homeless.

Follow them on twitter: @thebookerynook

A Networking Event You'll WANT to Attend!

2009-04-29T10:00:00.016-06:00

BuzzHerd Spring Business Networking Party

Who: You and over 400 business owners & vendors

When: May 7, 2009, 6:00-8:00pm

Where: 1405 Curtis Street, Denver, CO 80202

Cost: $10 RSVP / $15 at the door

As a network-centered business, we are continually looking for opportunities to meet people (anyone and everyone). You never know when you might meet that missing link or start a conversation with a potential partner.

Our clients often ask about ways to build their network and create a buzz around their companies, so we seek out events that will help make those much needed introductions.

If you're in the same boat, you won't want to miss this upcoming event!

We are closely linked with an amazing Denver Web-Based start-up called BuzzHerd. BuzzHerd is a business networking web site offering marketing and communication tools that enable small businesses to reach and develop relationships with new business leads, client contacts, key enterprise partners, and other stakeholders.

Last November, BuzzHerd held an extremely successful networking event, attracting over 300 attendees, with 20 vendors from around the Denver area showcasing their businesses by reserving a BuzzHerd booth.

Well, BuzzHerd is at it again, with hopes of an even bigger and better networking event on May 7th.

Here are the details:

Bigger, Better, and Healthier Business in 2009!

We are pleased to announce that our annual Spring networking event will be held in the fabulous Marco Polo Ballroom at The Curtis Hotel, in downtown Denver. With such a wonderful venue serving as our backdrop, the event should prove to be a great place for networking and meeting some great business minds from in and around our wonderful city.

Our Spring Networking event is going to be even bigger and better than the last; this time around we are expecting over 400 business owners and even more vendors!

Once again there will be plenty of delicious free appetizers (and we promise - even more sushi this time!) So come network, eat, drink, and say 'Cheers' to growing your healthy business in 2009!

The Curtis Hotel is conveniently located downtown just 2 blocks from 16th Street Mall on Curtis St. Parking is available in the lot below the hotel or on the street.

For booth opportunities, contact events@buzzherd.com or call 970 672 0280

We look forward to seeing you there!

Innovators Shine in Denver

2009-04-22T09:38:00.004-06:00

The sun is finally shining on the Denver real estate market, literally.

Zocalo Community Development (ZCD) has been featured as an innovator for its mortgage program at RiverClay Condominiums: a program that is boosting sales by offering homebuyers lower interest rates if they elect to buy condominiums equipped with solar panels.

ZCD has been included in Environmental Defense Fund’s annual report on business innovation, as one of 15 businesses cited nationally (including big names such as Cisco Systems, Coca-Cola, Google, Intel and Wal-Mart).

Through the Innovations Review 2009, Environmental Defense Fund “highlights environmental innovations that are helping companies cut costs, create business opportunities and carve out competitive advantage in a challenging economy.”

According to www.innovation.edf.org, “Each year, Environmental Defense Fund surveys the landscape of environmental innovations in business for the most compelling new practices and technologies—those that continually redefine ‘business as usual.’”

All innovations considered for the report are assessed on four criteria: Environmental Benefits, Business Benefits, Replicability, and "Innovativeness.”

Zocalo Community Development feels extremely honored by the recognition and we couldn’t be happier to see their incredible work noticed on a national level. They have been a leader in sustainable development in Denver, building the first LEED-certified condominiums in the Rocky Mountain Region and are continually looking for new ways to push the green movement even further.

Congratulations are certainly in order!

Be sure to read more about ZCD’s Solar Mortgage Program and check out their website at ZocaloDevelopment.com