Living with the DNC

Rocky Mountain News

Published August 23, 2008 at 12:05 a.m.

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C'mon, now, don't be scared. The DNC won't be too painful. We offer some tips and suggestions - and a dose of aspirin - to help make the most of this historic event without being pulled in by the convention undertow:

Gawk, but don't stalk

Hope to catch a glimpse of some VIPs during the convention this week? The Rocky's Penny Parker offers the following haunts as the top hot spots for celebrity sightings:

* Elway's at the Ritz Carlton, 1881 Curtis St. - A potent combination: the city's biggest name attached to one of its best steakhouses in one of its toniest hotels. And this week you can order the Yes You Can Pancakes while keeping an eye out for the big pockets bound to dine and sleep here.

* The Palm, 1672 Lawrence St. - Denver's pre-eminent politico hotbed, where the local top dogs will be sure to seal deals and rub elbows with the nation's elite all week.

* Capital Grille, 1450 Larimer St. - Big steaks and big names will likely go together just a few blocks from the Pepsi Center.

* Rioja, 1433 Larimer St. - Chef Jennifer Jasinski's reputation and Rioja's Larimer Square location will attract an A-list convention crowd.

* Osteria Marco, 1453 Larimer St. - It's relatively new, but its pedigree (the restaurant is operated by the well-known owners of Mizuna and Luca D'Italia) helped Osteria Marco land some coveted convention parties.

Go on, make reservations

You still have to eat, don't you? No need to skirt downtown, say those in the know. After all, the delegates and everyone with political power will be holed up in the Pepsi Center between 3 p.m. and 9 p.m. "A restaurant that you might ordinarily think is busy at 7 or 8 may not be," said Pete Meersman, president of the Colorado Restaurant Association. "I know the restaurants that I've talked to, they're scheduling their staffing needs for a later rush, and they're staying open later. I think there will be plenty of openings to dine out before the crowd lets out of the Pepsi Center."

But don't make reservations here

If you're used to eating, drinking and going out near the Pepsi Center, think again.

* Brooklyn's Grill: The best place for burgers before an Avalanche game becomes the CNN Grill, which will only be serving Wolf Blitzer, his crew and anyone with the proper credentials.

* Braun's Bar & Grill: Fox News takes over this week, which means only the likes of Shepard Smith, Neil Cavuto and Greta Van Susteren will be eating supper inside when they're not broadcasting live. The restaurant promises to be open again for the University of Colorado/Colorado State game Aug. 31.

* Tamayo: A law firm key in bringing the DNC to Denver has booked this Mexican hot spot within shouting distance of the Pepsi Center today-Aug. 30.

* The Starz FilmCenter: The Auraria art film house will morph into the Starz Green Room, where only invited guests will be treated to movies, seminars and a break from the convention. But the common citizen seeking the latest documentary or cinematic import from Sweden will have to get their foreign film fix elsewhere.

Get out of Denver

If you're still frightened by the crowds and confusion of downtown, the Highlands neighborhood shuttle is making it easier to leave it behind for the more serene streets of northwest Denver. The frequent, free lifts up to 32nd Avenue will get you within shouting distance of some of the city's tastiest restaurants, including Highland's Garden Cafe and Bang! The "Hop, Skip and Jump" bus will make the 10-minute trek from downtown hotels from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Tuesday and Wednesday. Participating hotels include Hotel Teatro, 1100 14th St.; Magnolia Hotel, 818 17th St.; Hotel Monaco, 1717 Champa St.; Grand Hyatt, 1750 Welton St.

Mail it in

Here's a bonus: About 12,000 downtown Denver homes and businesses will actually be getting their mail about 90 minutes earlier than usual during convention week. But there is a downside: For a few people, it will be tougher to get the mail out this week, as the United States Postal Service has tweaked its service in and around downtown and the major convention sites.

* The Denver Mile High Station at 450 W. 14th St. will be closed completely. P.O. box customers can pick up their mail at the Postal Service's Vehicle Maintenance Facility at 915 S. Logan St. from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m.

* The Main Post Office Station at 951 20th St. will be open only from 7-11 a.m.

* Most mail boxes on downtown streets have already been removed, a normal security precaution during national political conventions.

Calm on campus

If you're looking for a swath of calm near downtown, consider the Auraria campus. Because while as many as 50,000 delegates, party officials, volunteers and members of the media will be swarming Denver, the city will also be missing the 45,000 students, faculty and staff at the three colleges that make up Auraria. Fall break comes early as all the campus buildings will be closed Monday through Friday to everyone except "essential campus personnel." Remember, you are allowed to walk on campus, but not protest.

• August 23, 2008

  11:01 a.m.

  Suggest removal

  afireinside21 writes:

  The students of Auraria have been told over and over again not to come on campus. I can't imagine why that would be different for anyone else?

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