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Great Press for Great Places!

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.

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Garages Just Got Grand

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!

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A Memorable Memorial Day Event

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!

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Possibility Abounds


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!

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Groundbreaking News–Solera

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.

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Zocalo Does it Again!

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.

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The Bookery Nook–Fun Name & Fantastic Place


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

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A Networking Event You’ll WANT to Attend!

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!

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Innovators Shine in Denver

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

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Lullaby For Columbine

Yesterday marked two years since the Virginia Tech Tragedy and this upcoming Monday will be the 10-year anniversary of Colorado’s own tragedy at Columbine. Our hearts and thoughts go out to all those profoundly affected by these events.

During times like these, we are reminded of the great unity and love that comes out of such dark moments, and are thankful for those who have given their time and talents to aid the healing process.

We’ve recently had the privilege of sharing the unique and touching story about a group created specifically in response to Columbine, The Lullaby for Columbine Project.

The Lullaby for Columbine Project was launched a day after the tragedy by Michael Tamburello, producer of the CD and executive director for the project, and his daughter, Nina—who was then in eighth grade. Together they wanted to dedicate a song he had written for her years earlier and produce a single of it with a name change from its original title, “Nina’s Lullaby”, to help the victims of the Columbine tragedy. Within days, other music artists learned of the endeavor and news of the project spread that attracted talent nationally and garnered over a quarter of a million dollars of in-kind donations. By midsummer of 1999, the project mushroomed into a full CD consisting of 17 songs written and recorded by both local and national artists including Adrian Belew – (King Crimson, Frank Zappa, David Bowie, Talking Heads), and Christian artists Rick Altizer, Danny Oertli, and Rachael Lampa, whose singing career achieved great heights shortly thereafter. Sales from the CD helped fund several non-profit organizations founded by Columbine families whose lost loved-ones in the tragedy and the Columbine Memorial in Littleton, Colorado, that opened in 2007.

The Lullaby for Columbine Project honors the tenth anniversary of the Columbine tragedy with special edition of their webzine, LFCNews.com, that features an exclusive story by Beth Nimmo, mother of slain Columbine student, Rachel Scott, and provides free music from their nationally released CD.

We are honored to work with Michael Tamburello to spread the word about this incredible project and have no doubt that many more lives will be touched as a result of the love and work they’ve put into this CD.

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