Category Archives: Colorado

National Western Stock Show – Denver, Colorado – Jan. 12, 2010

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What’s Scheduled?

Tuesday – January 12,  2010

The fun continues at the 104th Annual National Western Stock Show, Horse Show and Rodeo. Check the NWSS schedule web pages for times and locations.

Tuesday Stock Shows:

  • National Limousin MOE & Lim-Flex Show
  • Red Angus Junior Breeding Heifer Show followed by Red Angus Open Show
  • Lowline Junior Heifer Show/Showmanship
  • National Lowline Peoples Choice Show

Especially for Youth – these events run throughout the show:NWSS - Stick Horse Rodeo2

  • Pony Trails 
  • Petting Zoo
  • Youth Art Show
  • Stick Horse Grand Prix
  • CSU Ag Adventure at Children’s Ranchland 

Exhibitions, Classes, Programs and Events:

  • Paint Horse Performance and Halter Classes
  • Weather Trends & Stock Show Weather

In the Coliseum – Ticketed Event:

  • PBR Bull Riding Denver Chute-Out-Team Penning Finals

NWSS - Bull Riding - PRB2 Also check out the ongoing livestock exhibits, Hall of Education, the Coors Western Art Exhibit and the hundreds of exhibitors that make the National Western the largest consumer show of the year in Colorado.

Photos courtesy National Western Stock Show

Previous Post – What’s Scheduled, Jan. 11, 2010

Previous Post  – What’s Scheduled, Jan. 10, 2010

Previous Post – What’s Scheduled, Jan. 9, 2010

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National Western Stock Show – Denver, Colorado – 1-11-2010

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 What’s Scheduled?

Monday – January 11, 2010

Denver hosts the 104th Annual National Western Stock Show, Horse Show and Rodeo. Check the NWSS schedule web pages for times and locations.

Especially for Youth – these events run throughout the show: NWSS - The Yards

  • Pony Trails 
  • Petting Zoo
  • Youth Art Show 
  • Stick Horse Grand Prix
  • CSU Ag Adventure at Children’s Ranchland

Exhibitions, Classes, Programs and Events:

  • AQHA Ranch Horse Classic- Ranch Cutting and Working Ranch Horse Phases
  • National Gelbvieh & Balancer Show
  • National Red Angus Pen Show
  • Red Angus Junior Stock Growers Activities
  • Tractor Races
  • Paint Horse Roping, Reining and Western Riding Classes
  • AQHA Ranch Horse Classic- Ranch Trail, Ranch Riding and Conformation PhasesNWSS - Bull Riding - PRB

Sales: 

  • National South Devon Sale
  • Red Angus Mile High Classic Sale
  • National Limousin Sale

In the Coliseum – Ticketed Events:

  • 7:30pm – PBR Bull Riding Denver Chute-Out and Team Penning

 

In addition, don’t overlook the ongoing livestock exhibits, Hall of Education, the Coors Western Art Exhibit and the hundreds of exhibitors that make the National Western the largest consumer show of the year in Colorado.

Photos courtesy National Western Stock Show

Previous Post – What’s Scheduled, Jan. 10, 2010

Previous Post – What’s Scheduled, Jan. 9, 2010

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National Western Stock Show – Denver, Colorado – 1-10-2010

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What’s Scheduled?

Sunday – January 10,  2010

 

Head out for the second day of the 104th Annual National Western Stock Show, Horse Show and Rodeo. Check the NWSS schedule web pages for times anNWSS - Cattle Showd locations.

Sunday Judging Events:

  • Colorado Fiddle Championships

Religious Events:

  • Mass
  • Fellowship of Christian Cowboys Service

Awards:

  • 4-H/FFA Livestock & Meat Judging Contest Awards Breakfast
  • Catch-A-Calf Show, Photo Session & Awards

Especially for Youth – these events run throughout the show:

  • Pony Trails
  • Petting Zoo
  • Youth Art Show
  • Stick Horse Rodeo
  • CSU Ag Adventure at Children’s Ranchland 

Exhibitions, Classes, Programs and Events:

  • Quarter Horse Performance Classes 
  • Gelbvieh & Balancer Pen of Bulls Show
  • National Gelbvieh Junior Heifer Show NWSS - Reining
  • Limousin Junior Heifer Show
  • Dancing with Dogs
  • $15,000 Dodge Invitational Freestyle Reining  – Ticketed Event
  • Gelbvieh Sale Cattle Parade
  • Llama/Alpaca Show
  • Maya’s Secret

Sales:

  • National Gelbvieh Sale

In the Coliseum – Ticketed Events:

NWSS - Matador

  • 2:30pm – Mexican Rodeo Extravaganza – featuring Jerry Diaz, Escaramuza Charra, Mexican Bullfighters, Mariachis, Bronc Riding, Paso de La Muerte, Bull Riding, Westernaires, Mutton Bustin
  • 7pm – PRCA ProRodeo – featuring Miss Rodeo Colorado Coronation, Westernaires

Also check out the ongoing livestock exhibits, Hall of Education, the Coors Western Art Exhibit and the hundreds of exhibitors that make the National Western the largest consumer show of the year in Colorado.

Photos courtesy National Western Stock Show

Previous Post – What’s Scheduled, Jan. 9, 2010

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Diego Zhang’s Burger Cafe – Centennial, Colorado

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Not  Your Ordinary Burger Joint

Diego Zhang's Exterior What in the world is a Diego Zhang’s? As stores and restaurants open in the redeveloped Streets at SouthGlenn we’re eager to discover our new neighborhood options. Seeing the sign “Diego Zhang’s” simply raised questions – even though it also said “Burger Cafe.” To find out we headed over for lunch.

Burgers are featured but not the typical American burger. A helpful employee explains that Diego Zhang’s burgers are, “Globally inspired mini burgers with the listed ingredients hand mixed with the meat. Each burger is 6 ounces, about half the size of a normal hamburger.” She gave us time to read through the list of a dozen choices: Centennial, Genoa, Shanghai, San Juan, Havana, Yellowstone – a world of flavors. There are also a half-dozen salad and five daily soup selections.

Diego Zhang's Pork Green Chili Bob chose a cup of pork green chili and a “Denver”  described as a simple blend of beef, bacon, sautéed mushrooms and onions. Wanting a variety of flavors I opted for a “Kansas City” – mesquite rubbed ground pork with caramelized barbeque sauce – and a Bangkok – Thai peanut shrimp with fresh vegetables. With each burger we had a choice of white or whole wheat bun.

We ordered at the counter, got our drinks and browsed the menu while we waited for the burgers to be delivered to the table hot off the grill. We learned that Diego Zhang’s mother came from southern climes and father from the east, hence the interesting name mix. The idea for globally-inspired mini-burgers came from a tapas cafe in Barcelona.

Diego Zhang's Burgers Bob gave a thumbs  up to the spicy green chili. I give a big nod of approval for both my burgers. Noted on the menu with two chile peppers meaning slightly more spicy, the Bangkok had a definite kick that lingered but didn’t overpower. The peanuts and fresh veggies lent a crunchy texture. Not spicy hot but packed with flavor, the Kansas City was equally enjoyed. I was impressed with how well matched and balanced the flavors were  in each burger. The whole wheat bun was fresh and grainy. I’ve heard people refer to these as sliders but found them to be larger than the majority of sliders. Two where plenty for a satisfying meal.

Families will appreciate the children’s menu including PB&J, mac & cheese, grilled cheese and noodles – buttered or with cheese/red sauce. Adults find  beer and wine available in addition to soft drinks. The breakfast menu offers a variety of egg sandwiches on English muffins and Arepas, South American corn cakes with cheese, red peppers and green chiles.

I’m already eager to return to further my world journey of mini-burgers.

When You Go: There are two locations for Diego Zhang’s in Centennial, 6851 S. Gaylord in The Streets at SouthGlenn and 12073 E. Arapahoe Road (Arapahoe and Peoria). Hours vary by location and day of the week, check their website for details.

National Western Stock Show – Denver, Colorado – 1-9-2010

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What’s Scheduled?

Saturday – January 9,  2010

 

The 104th Annual National Western Stock Show, Horse Show and Rodeo kicks off in Denver January 9, 2010. Check the NWSS schedule web pages for times and locations.

Saturday Judging Events:

  • Western National 4-H Horse Judging Contest
  • 4-H/FFA Livestock Judging Contest
  • 4-H/FFA Meats Judging Contest
  • Poultry Judging
  • Colorado Fiddle Championships

Especially for Youth – these events run throughout the show:NWSS - Stick Horse Rodeo

  • Pony Trails 
  • Petting Zoo
  • Youth Art Show
  • Stick Horse Rodeo
  • CSU Ag Adventure at Children’s Ranchland 

Exhibitions, Classes, Programs and Events:

  • Quarter Horse Halter and Performance Classes 
  • Gelbvieh Bull Futurity
  • Antique Tractor Exhibition
  • Junior Poultry Showmanship
  • Equine Therapy Demonstrations & Interactive Programs
  • Llama/Alpaca Show NWSS - Paint Horse Show
  • An Evening with a Llama/Alpaca

Sales:

  • Mile High Select Quarter Horse and Paint Horse Sale

In the Coliseum – Ticketed Events:

  • 2pm – PRCA ProRodeo – featuring Pikes Peak Range Riders
  • 7:30pm – Mexican Rodeo Extravaganza – featuring Jerry Diaz, Escaramuza Charra, Mexican Bullfighters, Mariachis, Bronc Riding, Paso de La Muerte, Bull Riding, Westernaires, Mutton Bustin

NWSS - Mexican Rodeo 1

Also check out the ongoing livestock exhibits, Hall of Education, the Coors Western Art Exhibit and the hundreds of exhibitors that make the National Western the largest consumer show of the year in Colorado.

Photos courtesy National Western Stock Show

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Denver Art Museum – Denver, Colorado

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Finimageal Week – Charles M. Russell Exhibition

Only one more week to see the retrospective show of paintings, bronze sculptures and letters of American artist Charles M. Russell at the Denver Art Museum. The exhibition of over 60 important pieces was co-organized by the Denver Art Museum’s Petrie Institute of Western American Art and Gilcrease Museum in Tulsa, Oklahoma.

Self Portrait, 1900. Watercolor on paper.
Buffalo Bill Historical Center, Cody, Wyoming.

 

I’ve seen Russell’s work in numerous venues including private collections, Buffalo Bill Historical Center in Cody, Wyoming and the CM Russell Museum in Great Falls, Montana. The current show in Denver offers a perspective imageinto Russell’s growth as an artist. I found it fascinating to examine a series of Buffalo Hunt oils painted over a span of 24 years – a graphic demonstration of Russell’s evolving experiences,technique, palette, and increased usage of accurate detail. I can almost taste the dust and feel the vibrations of thundering hoofs.

                                                                                Buffalo Hunt [No. 39], 1919. Oil on canvas.
                                                                                 Amon Carter Museum, Fort Worth, Texas.

Russell was known for the illustrated letters he sent to friends and family. Ones included in the exhibit collect an interested audience. Russell’s creativity is demonstrated not just in tRussell Letter Coverhe artwork but also his spelling, no doubt a result of his lack of formal education. Although he was from a well-to-do St. Louis family he had little interest in school and left home at age 16 to work on a  Montana Territory sheep ranch and later as a cowhand. Russell’s works depicted his life, work and love of the American West – wildlife, landscapes, native life, trappers, cowboys, lawmen and outlaws.

 Book cover Charles M. Russell, Word Painter

The Masterworks of Charles M. Russell: A Retrospective of Paintings and Sculpture is well worth the effort to make it to the Denver Art Museum in the next few days. After closing in Denver the exhibition will travel to the Gilcrease Museum, February 6 – May 2, 2010, and the Museum of Fine Arts in Houston, June 6 – August 29, 2010.

When You Go: The Denver Art Museum’s Russell exhibit runs through Sunday, January 10, 2010 and is included in the general museum admission fee. The Denver Art Museum is open Tuesday – Sunday, check their website for hours.

National Western Stock Show, Horse Show and Rodeo – Denver, Colorado

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Find Your Western Spirit in Denverwesternaires1

In mid-January Denver shakes off its 21st-century metropolitan persona and struts it’s "stuff" as a cow town. Polish the boots and dust off the Stetson, the National Western Stock Show, Horse Show and Rodeo takes center stage in Denver, January 9-24, 2010.

Even the most die-hard city slickers will discover their Western Spirit with the jammed-packed schedule of competitions, events, exhibitions and shows.

  • Professional Rodeobullrider5

  • Coors Western Art Exhibit & Sale

  • Evening of Dancing Horses

  • Wild West Shows

  • Sheep Shearing Contest

  • Parade through Downtown Denver

  • Western Fashion Show

  • Livestock Judging and Sale

  • African-American Heritage Rodeo

  • Mexican Rodeo Extravaganza

mexicanrodeo3

 

Kids, from the city or the ranch, find activities and events designed just for them:

  • Catch-A-Calf  Contest stick%20pony2
  • Stick Horse Rodeo
  • Children’s Ranchland
  • Pony Trails
  • Petting Farm
  • Mutton Bustin’

Exhibitors fill 900 spaces throughout the National Western Complex to comprise Colorado’s largest trade show. You’ll find everything from ag supplies to original art; or, a new pair of boots and Stetson. See bison, cattle, goats, horses, llamas, poultry, rabbits, sheep, stock dogs and yaks.  Join in the fun – Find Your Western Spirit.

 

bison When You Go: Event tickets include grounds admission for the day. Grounds admissions ticket available without an event – allows access to the world’s only carload and pen cattle shows, Coors Western Art Exhibit, Children’s Ranchland, cattle judging, horse show classes, dog pulls, stick  horse rodeos, sheep shearing, exhibitors and food vendors. Online ticket sales available.

 

Photos from National Western Stock Show, Horse Show and Rodeo

21st Colorado Cowboy Poetry Gathering – Arvada Center

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Roundup of Western Music & Poetry

My favorite way to spend a January weekend comes to the Arvada Center January 14-17, 2009. This marks the 21st year for the event. There’s much to celebrate, the Colorado Cowboy Poetry Gathering has grown into a gang-buster event of  three evening concerts plus a Sunday matinee and three full days of  daytime poetry & Western music sessions. One doesn’t have to be a cowhand to appreciate the poetry and music by some of the most genuine people you’ll meet anywhere.

Cowboy Poetry_Arvada Center 2010 Events kick off Thursday evening when Baxter Black, perhaps America’s most recognized cowboy poet headlines. Black captures the flaws and foibles of everyday cowboy life in his humorous poetry and presentation. Unfortunately, for those of us without reservations the evening is already sold out.

Popular Michael Martin Murphey leads the Friday night lineup with poet Doris Daley serving as host. Pop Wagner is sure to bring laughter to the stage and 
Gary Robertson shares his western perspective. In addition to MMM, Prickly Pair and the Cactus Chorale offer musical entertainment.

The smooth voices of the Sons of the San Joaquin star on Saturday night. We’ve been fortunate enough to see this California trio in Arizona and made sure to get our tickets early for this show – as well as the one on Friday evening. The incredible energy of Wylie and The Wild West will fill the stage for the Sunday matinee.

The daytime sessions are my favorite part of the weekend. Friday and Saturday, six, hour-long sessions are held in four venues simultaneously with four performers/groups featured at each venue. More than a dozen themes help us choose which session to attend, favorites include – Western Humor, Lovesick Cowboy, Songwriter’s Circle, Women of the West and Modern Ranch Life. A full day of entertainment for $20/adult – a fantastic bargain.

Milton Taylor comes all the way from New South Wales, Australia to share his Australian bush poetry.  When we hear his presentation we know why he’s earned dozens of bush poetry championships. He can have us in both side-splitting laughter and tears during one session.

Popular Colorado poets and performers include Bob Huff, Bill Barwick, Liz Masterson, John Nelson and the Yampa Valley Boys from Steamboat Springs. Regional artists come from all over the West – Texas to Washington state, Saskatchewan and Alberta, Canada. Nevadan Richard Elloyan, one of my favorites, returns this year. New to us is Skip Gorman from Grafton, New Hampshire. Gorman has appeared on Prairie Home Companion and his music has been featured in Ken Burns’ documentaries. I’m anxious to hear his traditional American folk music.

We always leave with an assortment of CDs and books to enjoy until the next gathering. Soup and sandwiches satisfy hunger pangs between sessions. Polish the boots and join us in Arvada for an inspiring and entertaining weekend.

Map picture

When You Go: Colorado Cowboy Poetry Gathering at the Arvada Center, January 14-17, 2009. Tickets in advance strongly advised for the evening and matinee concerts. Tickets for daytime sessions in advance or at the door.

15th Annual Great Fruitcake Toss – Manitou Springs, Colorado

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Let it Hurl

You may have recycled the tree, put away the presents, and eaten the leftovers but have you dealt with the dreaded fruitcake from Aunt Mabel? If not, this is your opportunity. Head to Manitou Springs, January 9th and have fun disposing of the fruity, nutty "treat."

happy-ladyTucked between Pikes Peak and the Garden of the Gods, Manitou is immediately west of Colorado Springs. The visitor’s bureau calls the town "magical", I call it quirky. You’ll find characters and class – and, a whole lot of panache. This is a town that knows how to have fun and take a lighthearted look at life.

youth-catapult

How better to cap off the holiday festivities that to join in the hurling and launching at the 15th Annual Great Fruitcake Toss? Competitors and spectators will gather at the Manitou Springs High School Track for a final holiday “send off”. Bring your own cake in one-, two-, or four-pound sizes or "rent" one for $1.00.  Fruitcakes must contain glaceed fruits, nuts and flour – they cannot contain anything inedible. Don’t wrap in foil, duct tape, etc., all fruitcakes must be visible to the "Fruitcake Toss Tech Inspectors."

Events start with the Kids Toss – three age groupings, boy and girl winners, and the Fruitcake Toss – one person physically throwing a 1 pound cake. Then, they get down to the serious stuff: the Fruitcake Launch using a mechanical device and the Pneumatic Spud Gun or canon division using pneumatic devices brought to the competition by the contestant. It doesn’t stop there, they also have the team “Catch the Fruitcake” competition, and Accuracy with targets place on the field of "battle". The entertained crowd gets to vote for the Most Creative Launch and the Best Showmanship. Teams are asked to "dress" for the event. fruitcake-target   ready-the-arms1

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Bob almost wept the first time he saw all the flying fruitcakes crushing to earth. This is a man who never saw a fruitcake he didn’t like. Imagine how happy the squirrels are to clean up after the event. After the competitions we "squirrel" away for a delicious healthy lunch at Adams Mountain Cafe.

Map picture

When You Go: The Great Fruitcake Toss runs from 10am – 2pm, Saturday, January 9, 2010 with registration beginning at 9am. Entry Fee is one canned food item or one non-perishable food item to be donated to the local food bank.

Evergreen Lake – Evergreen, Colorado

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Taking a Spin

evergreen-lake21

For generations Evergreen Lake has been a favorite winter destination for Denver area families. The lake is frozen and open for 2010 winter recreation. There’s plenty of room for hockey practice and pick-up games, beginner and serious skaters as well as those who do more ice standing than skating.

The log Lake House offers lots of benches for lacing up skates, rental skates, hockey supplies, and a snack bar. It’s a great place to warm up or crisp winter days.

beginner1   hockey   spinnerevergreen-lake-skating

When You Go: Skate fees are $5 or less per session depending on age. Season passes and ten punch cards are available. The lake and lake house are part of the Evergreen Park and Recreation District. Their website gives little information;call the skating hotline, 720-880-1391 before heading to the lake.

Map picture

Happy Skating!