I attended a birthday party at the Mercury Cafe last night -- first time I've been there in several years. I always remembered it as having a unique style and atmosphere. When I walked in the door last night though, it felt "magical." I don't know if it was the crimson walls, the really cool artwork, the red and white fairy lights that seemed to float in the air, or the fun and festive energy I felt all around me.

Hors d'ouevres were great! Music coming from the other room provided great background. Ever-present wait staff kept filling our glasses. Oh, and the ingenious hand-wash system in the bathroom -- brilliant! (So much so I had to snap a picture of it.)

Today I visited The Red Trolley for the first of what will be many times! They serve delicious Novo Coffee with a strange-but-amazing artisian machine (ask Daniel, he'll explain it) I also got to sample several of the gelato and ice cream flavors. Wow! The cinnamon is delightful and the dreamsicle is ... probably the best gelato I've had since my trip to Italy. You must try these frozen desserts - flavorful without being overly sweet. They make everything they can in-house, with natural ingredients and no high-fructose corn syrup. You can also take home pints of the goodies, and word is they'll start serving breakfast soon. The Highlands Neighborhood is so lucky to have the Red Trolley!

I order all my cleaning supplies and routine maintenance products through 3R and have never been disappointed!

i recently did a bit o bike shopping in several local bike shops and found myself trying to settle for a so-so bike and customer service that spoke above my head, until i went to turin. my salesperson asked basic questions about my bike needs, habits, and budget and set me up with THE GREATEST BIKE EVER! okay, but seriously, i found the perfect fit. in addition, he threw in a free water bottle AND after the shop gave the bike its pre-sale tune-up and it was ready to roll, my salesperson came over to the coffee shop next door where we were waiting to fetch us.

i have to admit, that though there are gems like my salesperson working there, some of the staff is very elitist. however, one thing that you WILL find every time is that these people know their stuff and they do god work.

I was never much of a salad person, but this has changed my mind. Good food, cool environment, convenient, etc. Highly recommended.

After seeing a couple dozen bars and restaurants close in Parker the last few years, one must wonder why someone gets into this business. It's costly to build, challenging to staff, the hours are long, and the competition fierce. Add in high food costs and the shaky economy and the failure rate in the business is scary. A couple tips to those in and considering the bar/restaurant business. 1). Get over yourself. It's about what your CUSTOMER wants. He/She wants to be recognized and greeted. Everytime. The most important sound to any man's ears is his own name. 2)Offer value. Time's are tough, you gotta be price right on something. Might be your food, might be your whiskey, but give your customer something to remember. 3)Promote. Word of mouth is the best advertising, and the SLOWEST. Be the buzz, people talk. The One Place in Parker that gets it, is the Takoda Tavern, at Parker and Hess Roads. Clean. Parker newbies, and old timers share the love, you should too. Takoda is the Sioux word for ' a friend to everyone'.

Ooof what can I say. This is our family's go-to brunch spot. We walk or bike over for the most unbelievable sweet potato waffles, banana bread french toast and seasonal specials. They are often busy Sunday before noon for a good reason. They're fabulous. They are always willing to tweak your order to meet your dietary needs and the waitstaff is always fun and efficient.

I have had the pleasure to do business with Anasa Naturals and have purchased products. I had purchased products without really trying them first and I loved the lotion and soap. With my order I received free samples, and I fell in love with the sugar scrub! I have been a faithful buyer of that product ever since. With the free samples I am able to try things I wouldn't normally try and I just love all of the products I've tried, including the bath bombs. If you have any questions they provide great customer service in a timely manner and on a professional level, everything that was promised was provided and in a cute packaging, Anasa Naturals really goes out of their way for the customers.

Now Mile High Organics-- I love it because...
1. I'm a busy working mom and having veggies delivered eliminates a chore on my list and the online ordering method is a genius of ease and efficiency - think paypal.
2. I spend too much on the wrong foods when I go to the grocery store. I may spend a little more (for veggies) on the organic veggie delivery, but that prevents me from impulsively buying junk when I'm in the supermarket thus saving me money.
3. Organic veggies are good for us - I might not buy them in the store because I think they're too expensive. If they just come, we eat them.
4. As an emotional and mood eater, it helps tremendously when food just comes and the emotion and mood factors don't get in the way of making healthy choices.
5. We just eat more veggies so we finish them before the next batch comes - more veggies! good!

Thank to WKS Consulting our Jazz Trio has been recognized through various constituents that WKS consulting works with. Thanks to your team for helping us to promote local music and for helping to introduce us to your various events.

Adam
Adam Bodine Trio
www.adambodinetrio.com