Elmer's Twomile Blog

We’ve talked a little about some longshot library-related ideas on this blog in the past, but now here’s someone with a city title doing it:

Donna O’Brien, another library commissioner, said there also could be opportunities to partner with developers to have a library presence in new retail locations. She cited the possible future redevelopment of the Diagonal Plaza center at 28th Street and Iris Avenue as a possible opportunity.

The Camera story talks in very broad terms about the city wanting a library resource for north Boulder of some kind.

What do you think — is two and a half miles to the nearest library too far?

If you’re a discerning car washer, you might be interested to know that one of our local car washes is part of a group of car washes that has agreed to hold themselves to a higher standard and to help car wash fundraisers be a little more eco-friendly:

The car washes that have signed the agreement have agreed to allow the county to inspect their sites to make sure they’re compliant with eco-friendly standards. And, some have gone beyond the basic standards and also recycle water used at their car wash bays and allow groups that hold car wash fundraisers to use their sites to avoid water pollution.

“Car washes to raise money is an All-American activity, and we don’t want to by any means dampen that,” said Bill Hayes, with Boulder County Public Health. “But when you see those fundraisers out on the streets, the wastewater is running into the gutter and going off into the streams and rivers.”

The only one in our area that agreed to do it was Coyote Car Wash, 3087 28th Street.

I should note, however, that this place has exclusively negative reviews on Yelp and Google, particularly relating to paying with a credit card – but then again, I don’t suppose I’d ever log in to give a positive review of a car wash, so maybe take that with a grain of salt. Have any of you used it?

OK, I owe you all a few things.

First, an explanation about the month of June: I got married!

It was a busy time. No neighborhood blogging managed. As a result, I’ve missed a few newsy items:

1. Tangerine and Amaro are totally open. Tangerine seems to be quite popular already and Amaro, as of yet, lacks the critical mass of people to justify it becoming the late-night boozy hangout that I am dying for in our neighborhood. We’ve been to both places a couple of times and like ‘em plenty. Dante at Amaro made my new wife and I some celebratory drinks. Mine had dry ice in it and was otherwise mostly Bourbon from what I could tell — and my best man dubbed it the Total Protonic Reversal. Tangerine features big, delicious breakfast — which is one of my favorite things. Alec, owner of both and of Arugula, is doing a fantastic job. Have you been? What do you think?
2. I don’t remember the name of it, but the martial arts/fitness studio that was at the southernmost end of Tebo Plaza is gone and has been replaced by a print shop.
3. The old Flowerama building, which briefly had a sign that said “The Station” (now covered up, presumably until it opens) has been confirmed by loyal reader Andrea to be a dispensary.
4. Rocky Mountain Soccer is moving from Willow Springs Shopping Center to Spruce and 28th on July 15th. Too bad — we really wanted to start watching some soccer games at their parties. I know, they’re not going far, but it’s the principle of the thing. This, of course, is the kickoff for speculation as to what will fill that space — it’s east of Abo’s, near Tangerine, Amaro and Arugula. My wife said Alec should open a bakery there since that’s basically the only thing he doesn’t have yet.
5. And finally, the gossip blockbuster from the Camera: Someone apparently wants to know whether people in north Boulder like Walmart – and whether big-box retail belongs at the site of the aging Diagonal Plaza shopping center. Boulder resident Rick Wills said he received a phone call on Wednesday from a survey taker – with a Pennsylvania area code – who asked just three questions: ’Am I familiar with the city of Boulder’s plans to redevelop the Diagonal Plaza?; would I support a 24-hour Walmart there?; would I support a ban on big-box retailers in the area?’ Wills said, repeating the questions he was asked.” Well, how ’bout that? How do you feel about a 24-hour Walmart at Diagonal Plaza?

...but I couldn't get a copy of 'Cat's Cradle.'

After a long hiatus, I bring you the magic of the used book store.

Since we’ve got a bunch of friends and family coming to town in relatively short order — and since we’re planning a bit of a group bike ride through Boulder — I was perusing the B-cycle map. If you’re not familiar, B-cycle is the bike sharing program launching on May 20 of this year.

It’s not totally surprising that we don’t rate many B-cycle stations, at first, but take a look at this map:

Boulder's B-cycle hits Pearl Street hard. And 28th... for a little while.

So it’s along major shopping areas, right? Pearl Street? Check. Twenty Ninth Street? Check. Millennium Harvest House? Good choice.

But here are the three outliers: North Broadway, which I guess is a destination as much as any place (nice for First Friday stuff, probably, and some dining); Howard Hueston Park, which is our only station (but pretty far out of the way for most folks here); and then what’s that last one? Hayden Lake?

As a resident, I’m not too bothered — I’ve got my bike. I’m fine. But it’s not ideal for folks visiting (and staying downtown) to come up and see us in our hood. Oh well. A quick identity question to ponder: what do you suppose the message is about our neighborhood? Townies only? Nothing to see here? I think we have a pretty awesome, bikeable neighborhood. Where would you put a station?

We popped out for a late-night walk last night and saw some work going on at Tangerine, soon to be the upscale-ish breakfast spot for we north central Boulder types. They had the lights on, the air on and the doors open as they tried to air out some fresh paint.

Some of their signature orange paint was done where the bar will be, a lot of white paint elsewhere, and the very classy wood-panel-style design looked great. The mockup below, which has been on their Facebook page for at least a month now, is posted in the window much larger. It’s pretty exciting to see it there. By all appearances, the ol’ Willow Springs Shopping Center is about to get a lot cooler.

Tangerine, soon to open next to Arugula.

That corner spot in Tebo Plaza has been mostly vacant for a long time. The only thing that I can remember being in there, in my short tenure as zealous chronicler of all things Elmer’s Twomile, is a donation center for folks affected by the Fourmile Fire. The ad itself is pretty awesome, and sells the spot pretty hard. And it comes with this excellent, cheery visualization of Tebo Plaza:

…which might lead you to believe that Tebo Plaza is not in Boulder, but in the, I don’t know, late ’50s?

Details from the ad:

Location:              3111 28th Street – Boulder, CO
Size:                      9,250sf
Monthly Rate:     $14,399.00 + Utilities

This would be the space next to the Bonfils Blood Center and Time Warp Comics.

Time Warp Comics, located in Tebo Plaza is hosting Free Comic Book Day again, and here’s what’s on tap, via a press release:

Time Warp Comics and Games in Boulder is proud to announce that they will have the original Batmobile again this year from the Tim Burton Batman films on site for Free Comic Book Day (courtesy of Steve Tebo). Free Comic Book Day is Saturday, May 7^th and is celebrated worldwide. This year marks the 10^th anniversary of Free Comic Book Day. (more…)

Wow, will somebody hit me with some news that doesn’t have to do with Diagonal Plaza, please?

3 Margaritas, a chain of Mexican food restaurants, is coming in at 28th and Iris. Just a couple of days ago, the Camera reported that they were applying for a liquor license, and I just saw a “COMING SOON” sign outside. So that explains why they were working on the windows a few days back, I suppose.

That brings us to, I don’t know, three Mexican joints within a pretty small radius: 100%, Agave and 3 Margaritas.

If you haven’t been to a 3 Margaritas, here’s a preview of what’s in store for you (from the Yelp reviews for the Louisville location):

“Had an awesome blackberry margarita!”

“A group with 5 young children who are finding almost everything around them more appealing than staying at the table and various adults arriving at different times could be a challenge for a server.  Our server here handled the huge table of people with grace, ease, patience, precision, and skill.  Quite impressive.”

“Decent, if gringoized Amerimex food.”

“I have had better Mexican food, so I won’t say they really have great food, but it’s a good choice to go out with friends or co workers for a spicy bite.”

A Camera reader would like the old Petsmart building at Diagonal Plaza to be a branch library. I’d like it to be a beer garden. Or a movie theater. Or a spaceship. (Related to this, anybody else remember when someone else was wishing there would be a library drop box at the same location?)