Books, Libros, Sách

Our friendly neighborhood library, is the Ross-Barnum Branch (named for the family who generously donated the money for their construction). The space is small, but the staff is impressively fluent in English, Spanish, and Vietnamese, and you will find materials in all three languages. Talk about some wonderful diversity!

The way I use the library is to visit their website, make all my selections, place them on hold with my library card, then the library will email, text, or call you when the items arrive at our branch. It is a great timesaver, and you get access to all of Denver Public Library's resources.

NextDoor Barnum and Barnum West

Spring tulips! Woot!

So, as it turns out, there is a great online message board for our neighborhoods at NextDoor (Barnum and Barnum West). As of this week, there are about 110 or so of our neighbors signed up between the two. I've been a tad skeptical of the site until now because you can't really dig around much until you put in all of your information. But then I realized that it's kind of a good thing. You know, you have to live in the neighborhood to hang out on the neighborhood message board. Or else it's just creepy. And anyway, it's the 21st century and I have no digital privacy anyway, so what's one more site with my name and personal info attached? I'm in.

The best part is that you don't have to remember to check in every day to see what's happening. I'm signed up for email alerts, so it'll email me if anyone posts from my 'hood. Overall review? It's cool and it might be pretty useful. Perhaps I'll see you there!

Also, it's my first year with tulips in the garden. I planted them last fall and I'm so excited to see them starting to pop up! Yay! Bulbs really do work! They've always seemed a little sketchy to me since you have to buy these dead-looking brown lumps and you can't tell if you've been swindled until months later when it's far too late to return them and get your money back.

Strange, a Brewery

Photo from the Denver Post

Strange Brewing Company isn't technically within the borders of Barnum, and I'd say it's not even close enough to walk to without making a big deal out of it. But, it's but a short bike ride or an even shorter automobile ride away. Located on the other side of Federal, at Zuni and 13th, Strange is a popular spot for West side's bicycle commuters -- including many of my own co-workers who kindly introduced me to this lovely spot. They have very unique, very delicious brews. And, if you go there enough, they'll make the effort to learn your name. Please now start humming the "Cheers" theme song so it can get stuck in your head all day. You're welcome.

Photo from bottlemakesthree.com

When I first moved into Barnum, I could never figure out what all of those industrial type buildings were on the other side of Federal. I still don't know what most of them are, but I think it's rather lovely that it's becoming a popular spot for Denver's newest/most awesome microbreweries. Dear Potential Denver Breweries: keep 'em coming!

Strange on Facebook
Strange Brewing Company
1330 Zuni St, Denver, CO 80204

(720) 985-2337

Community Meeting!

Yo, neighbor people,
The next Barnum Community meeting is tomorrow.

Tuesday, March 11th, 6:00pm, at the Barnum Recreation Center, 3rd and Hooker.

April of the CCB writes:
We always have our Community Resource Officer from Denver Police Dept.  This meeting there will be a representative from the communication company for our W. 6th Ave. Project.  The powers that be are considering taking out the Lowell/Perry entrance/exit ramp from W. 6th, either with this project or the next.  A great deal of people in Barnum/Villa Park neighborhood use these ramps.  Come and express your concerns and comments.

The Concerned Citizens for Barnum meets on the second Tuesday of every month at the Barnum Rec Center. Check out their Facebook for more info. I'm hoping that someone might email me minutes/notes from the meetings to post on this website for those of us who can't make it to the meetings.

The Latest...

Barnum, Denver. Mural by Pheud, aka Poetik Sol.

Howdy, Barnum!
While I've been knocked out by winter germs for the last month, our neighbors have been busy compiling restaurant reviews and suggestions for the "Where To Eat" page. Check it out to see what's new. And, send in your own reviews!

Our brave and awesome neighbor, Kaye, has signed on as a contributing author. Huzzah! Look for a new voice in the coming weeks. If you also have something to say, please feel free to email your suggestions. Or, if you're interested in becoming a regular contributor, please let me know.

Loki. From Charlie on Utica St.
OMG how can you get any cuter?
I have zero journalistic objectivity.

In addition, I'm adding in a new page, Cutest Creatures in Barnum. I'll start with my own pup, Loki, who is pretty much the handsomest dog that ever happened. He'll reign supreme, and alone, until you send me a photo of your own creature to add to the gallery. Photos of tiny dogs in deep snow are highly encouraged. Got a cute creature? Send it in, yo. (Please address photos to welcometobarnum@gmail.com and include your first name, your animal's name, and your street)

April, from Concerned Citizens of Barnum, also wrote in about our awesome Welcome To Barnum mural. This project was organized by CCB and designed and painted by Pheud, also known as Poetik Sol. Thank you to both for what is probably the coolest neighborhood welcome sign in the city. 303Magazine featured Pheud's mural in Concrete Canvas: A Spotlight on Denver Street Art Oct. 2013. Check it out!

EDIT: Ugh, I'm so bad at news blogging. I have mentioned NOTHING about the 6th Ave. construction. Well, if you live here, you know it's a mess. I'm super happy that we're going to be getting a pedestrian bridge over 6th between Barnum Park and North Barnum Park. I'm less happy that I won't be able to hop on the highway EVER AGAIN from Perry St. It's Sheridan or Federal for all of our highway access needs from now on. There is also on-going debate about the fate of the Barnum dog park, which is currently located right at what will be the pedestrian bridge. If you can handle the community meetings, I think they are going to continue the debate for a little while yet.