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Stasko Agency Clients Top A-List

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.

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HeadsUp Wows Crowds at Interbike Convention



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.

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Stasko Agency Adds Clients

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.

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LoHi Merchant Meeting Update

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!

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HeadsUp Helps Outdoor Enthusiasts Protect Their Gear

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

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Cellar Wine Bar Celebrates First Anniversary



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.



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Tejon 34 Offers Sustainably “Cool” Homes



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.

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Crafty Ladies Becomes Hot Clique for Beer-Loving Chicks



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.

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Did Someone Say Party?

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!

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Highland Tap and Burger Brews Up Excitement

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.

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