The Spelling Bee(r) is a new bar game that will be taking over Denver in the next year.  Check it out on FaceBook look for the Spelling Bee(r) Fan Page or follow me on twitter at SpellingBeerCO.  If you come to Denver check me out!

You must hear Owl City.  ”Owl City is an electronica/pop project of Adam Young. Formed in early 2007, in Owatonna, Minnesota, Owl City has reached the Top Unsigned Artist position on Myspace, having over 10 million total plays. (http://www.last.fm/music/Owl+City)  you can listen to his music there.

Darren Newman is a Vonderful designer, illustrator and typographer.  He has some of the best penmanship I have ever encountered.  You can view all of his Vonderfull works at meandmypen.com.  All of his pieces are hand created and drawn by him.  He is right handed and has a beard (sweet).  Check him out, I give him two Vonderthumbs up!

Along with the honor of sharing all things Vonderfull with you, sometimes it is our duty to share things that are not-so-vonderfull as well.  Today, I would like to address a small device called the “T-Bar“.  Yes, I did call it a device, as it is a mechanical ski lift, used by winter resorts to tote, or in my case, drag skiers and snowboarders up a relatively small run.  If in fact you are an avid winter sport enthusiast, you probably remember them from your early years, when the “Bunny Hill” could still be filled with bunnies in your imagination, and the “t-bar” was a vonderfull journey to the top of this magical land. Well, at 23, this so-called vonderfull device, is less a source of sheer joy as it is a weapon of torture, used to separate any respectable adult from their pride, self-respect, and their eagerness to glide down small hills.

The reason for my seemingly profound hatred for this mechanical vonder, can be blamed on my experience just yesterday at Winter Park.  Granted it was only my second time snowboarding ever, the T-bar did to me what I can only imagine it has done to many other self-respecting adults; it kicked by butt.  I wish this was somehow a joke, and in fact, I gracefully glided up the not-so-steep slope like any other 7 year old, but no, I fell the entire way.  I first knew I was in trouble, when my friend, a fellow adult snowboarding novice fell immediately after trying to grasp the mangy little bar.  “Just hold it like a guitar” were the words of wisdom spoken to us by the annoyingly gleeful operated prior to our journey. Looking back now,  I feel strongly that they should mention that this “guitar” will first make you feel at ease, and then like a bad date, turn on you in an instant and drag you face first up the hill until you have to let go, stranded by the side of the lift as small children laugh and point in your direction.  This is what happened to me… After four dreaded attempts and a distance travelled of 50 feet, I was forced to walk the remainder of the so-called “hill” with my snowboard in hand.  Why they don’t let you walk in the first place is beyond me… silly “T-bar”, this is why I have deemed you “Not-So-Vonderfull”.

Denver based nonprofit The Other Side Arts is an artists dream.  It is a community of artists that promotes “personal expression, building community, creating dialogue, and increasing tolerance through art.”  TOSA offers classes and workshops for artists to come together to create, learn and share ideas through different mediums.  The only class that they offer right now is a screen printing class.  When you are certified through this class you are able to use their facilities.  They do offer the ability to start a class or workshop if you have the desire to.  If you are an artist who is without a community The Other Side Arts is a Vonderfull place for you.

Located  on 1644 Platte St, Denver

This is some of the most creatively intricate art I have every seen. Peter Callesen cuts images out of strictly white paper and forms them into the actual image. His designs range from installations to single pieces that are framed. He works with schools as well. This is an amazing take on the way paper is used and transformed into 3D images. Peter Callesen you are Vonderfull.

What could be more vonderfull than a blog by vonderfull people about vonderfull things?  Well, that’s simple… nothing!  This blog is the collaborative effort of Mark Buechler and Jenna Billingsley, with the help of friends, family, and strangers who want to  share all the vonderfull things in their life with you.

On that note, the first Vonderfull thing that has successfully distracted us from our work, is going to seperate us from our precious cash, and will eventually tote us from place to place….Republic Bikes.  Yep, bicycles. These single speed, two-wheel vonders have customizable colors and parts to make your daily ride an extension of your personal style and flare.  The Florida based company has won us both over with their interactive website, and low prices.

Long story short, these bikes are VONDERFULL! You will see us riding them soon.  Or in Jenna’s case, she will be falling in style.