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December 4, 2014 VOLU M E 6 | I SS UE 49 | 5 0 ¢
BrightonBanner.com A D A M S C O U N T Y, C O L O R A D O
A publication of
Downhome biz Small business Saturday offers deals to shoppers By Lou Ellen Bromley
bromleyclan@hotmail.com
Foundation. “It really is fun to see what’s going on, what’s happening in your neighborhood and how can I support the people that are my neighbors.” Over the course of 24 hours, residents across the state can log on to www.coloradogives.org and donate to their favorite local nonprofit organizations. Founded on the desire to increase giving, the event has steadily grown from 530 registered nonprofits five years ago, to include more than 1,600 organizations on the giving list, with the potential to grow more. “There’s a potential for probably six to seven thousand around the state that can participate in this, it’s just awareness,” Rinderknecht said. “We’re trying to bring the rest of the state on board.” This year, along with the website, Community First has launched a free iPhone and Android
Brighton businesses that participated in the Small Business Saturday were excited with the number of people coming onto their stores and participating in their special sales events. Several merchants remarked that the perfect weather Saturday helped to encourage people to come out and Christmas shop. The atmosphere in all the shops was considerably calmer than with Black Friday shoppers, no one was pushing and shoving and there were no long lines at check-out to wait through. The shoppers and merchants alike looked to be in a festive mood. The Pink Door Bouquet and Nail Salon, Fuhgidabowdit Pizzeria, Hugh’s Jewelers and Past and Present Antiques and Gifts had special promotions for the entire weekend AnnMarie Rodriguez, owner of Fuhgidabowdit Pizzeria, said business was better than last year, and has gotten a little better every year during Black Friday and Small Business Saturday. “Promoting our business early every year has helped bring in costumers during this weekend.” Rodriguez also noted that Black Friday is the fifth anniversary of their store in Brighton. “We opened five years ago on Black Friday, so it’s a special date for us.” Richard Scott, manager of Whitesides in Brighton was also optimistic about Saturday’s sale. Whitesides was running special “Porch Sales” event for the entire weekend and had items inside the store on sale in all departments as well. ”Whitesides have a great relationship with Brighton residents.” He also noted that business is up from last year during the Small Business Saturday event,” Scott said. Past and Present Antiques and gifts also started the holiday weekend with sales events throughout the entire store, with discounts from 10 percent to 40 percent on items in the store and at special sidewalk sale in front of the store. Lisa Hoffman remarked that sales were up slightly in the store over November of last year. They were also offering refreshments to all customers. The store will be having its forth annual Christmas Cookie Social on Dec. 12 and 13, with extended hours during the holiday season. Hugh’s Jewelers owner Greg Grothe, was busy Saturday with sales on fine jewelry in his Bridge Street store.
Gives continues on Page 2
Shops continues on Page 12
Bentley, a 15-year old Golden Retriever, happily greets guests during the Golden Retriever Rescue of the Rockies annual gala in September. Courtesy photo
Colorado Gives Day returns Statewide fundraising drive begins Dec. 9 By Crystal Anderson
canderson@coloradocommunitymedia.com
POSTAL ADDRESS
With a single click, Coloradans are making an impact. Colorado Gives Day, an annual statewide philanthropical giving event, takes place Tuesday, Dec. 9, in a computer, tablet and phone near you. Now in it’s fifth year, the day, sponsored by Arvada’s Community First Foundation, is a statewide effort to increase charitable giving. “For nonprofits its great to be there so people can find you and learn more about you and get excited about what your doing,” said Dana Rinderknecht, director of online giving for the Community First
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P L EA SE R ECYC L E T H I S C OPY
The first four electric commuter rail cars that will be part of the RTD 66-car fleet starting corridor operations in 2016 recently arrived in Denver. Courtesy photo
Commuter rail cars on display New trains at Union Station for viewing By Vic Vela
vvela@coloradocommunitymedia.com Commuter rail transit is a couple of years away for much of metro Denver, but folks this week can view the high-speed train cars that will soon operate in suburban areas. The 70-ton, 85-foot long commuter cars currently are on display at Denver’s Union Station. There, the public can tour and learn about the Denver area’s soon-to-be newest mode of transit, through Dec. 6. The trains are located on the commuter rail
platform, directly behind Union Station, and will be on display 11-7 p.m. each day. The vehicles are among 66 commuter cars that will operate along four new rail lines that have been developed from a Regional Transportation Division FasTracks project. Three rails will operate beginning in 2016: The East Rail line will connect to Denver International Airport. The Gold Line will travel to Arvada and Wheat Ridge. And the Northwest Rail will serve Westminster. The North Metro Rail Line to Thornton will operate beginning in 2018. “Our community has been looking forward to this happening for a long time,” City of Thornton spokesman Todd Barnes said of the North Metro Rail Line. “We’re glad to see it starting to happen.”
Each commuter car can carry up to 232 passengers. The roomy cars will feature overhead storage areas as well as luggage and bicycle racks. And don’t confuse the commuter cars with the familiar light rail vehicles that have been operating in Denver since the 1990s. Similar to light rail vehicles, the commuter cars will also be powered by overhead electric lines. But the commuter cars are heavier and are capable of traveling up to 79 miles per hour. The vehicles can go longer distances and will make fewer stops than a light rail system. RTD spokesman Kevin Flynn said he’s not worried about any potential public confusion over the two modes of transit. “The bottom line is it doesn’t really matter what they call it as long as they ride it,” he said.