The most ubiquitous visitors to Cherry Creek North this year have been construction workers, but that population diminished Saturday with the completion of work on the University/Josephine storm drain and street paving projects.

The work finished three weeks ahead of schedule due to a full closure of the First Avenue and University Boulevard intersection in September that accelerated paving operations.

Now the merchants that have suffered sorely during that traffic nightmare sincerely hope you’ll return to the shopping district for your holiday shopping needs, spa services and dining experiences.

For a map of more than 500 off-street parking spaces throughout the district, go to http://cherrycreeknorth.com/images/uploads/Parking_Guide_FINAL.pdf?utm_source=News+from+the+North+-+October+31%2C+2014&utm_campaign=News+from+the+North+-+October+31%2C+2014&utm_medium=email.

Thrillist.com, a website that’s not afraid of inciting a food fight, has just released its list of The Best Pizzeria in every state. Them’s fighting words.

The timeless debate over the perfect pizza has divided many households, but Thrillist is willing to go there. Here’s what the website purports about pizza:

“There are things in America that you can find no matter where you are. The kindness of strangers … Good pizza. We like to think that somewhere, in each state, there’s a truly sublime pie, and to prove that point, we’ve crunched the numbers (and the crusts) and come up with a definitive list of the best pizzerias in every corner of this great nation…These are the best pizzerias in every state in America.”

Colorado’s winning pie purveyor is Osteria Marco on Larimer Square, Thrillist says.

Restaurant mogul Frank Bonanno is no stranger to accolades, so it’s not surprising that his casual Italian eatery made the cut (or slice). Thrillist said, “One of Denver’s premiere restaurateurs opened up this pizza place, and it’s a passion project. Mozzarella is made in-house, and pizzas don’t conform to any particular style – it’s all his own.”

Osteria Marco is at 1453 Larimer St., www.osteriamarco.com, 303-534-5855.

The Source, that way-cool industrial building in the RiNo neighborhood that houses restaurants and merchants, is hosting its one year anniversary party from noon to 10 p.m. Saturday at 3350 Brighton Blvd.

Join the vendors and retailers in celebration throughout the day with live music, DJs, giveaways, specialty food demos and samples, discounts, surprise, and more. This event is free and for all ages.

The Source is an artisan food market that occupies a former 1880’s brick foundry building. The collective of artisans and retailers that make up the tenants in the complex offer visitors everything from freshly baked bread to craft cocktails, from street tacos to contemporary flower arrangements.

The Source is home to Acorn, Babette’s Artisan Bread, Beet & Yarrow, Boxcar Coffee Roasters, Collegiate Peaks Bank, Comida, Crooked Stave, Heroes Like Us, Industry Denver, Jennifer Olson Photography, Mondo Market, RiNo Yacht Club, Slow Food Denver, Svper Ordinary, The Proper Pour, Western Daughters Butchery and Wunder Werks.

For more information about the Source and the one year anniversary celebration, go to www.thesourcedenver.com, Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/thesourcedenver, or call Marielle Huey at 303-57-0781, ext. 25.

Limelight restaurant, the Kevin Taylor eatery directly across from The Buell Theatre in the Denver Center for the Performing Arts Complex, and the DCPA have reached a synergistic relationship that’s good news for theatergoers.

If you go to “Kinky Boots,”, now playing at The Buell or a production playing at the Ellie Caulkins Opera House, here’s what you’ll fnd:

* Heated, year-round patio at Limelight.

* Take your drink from Limelight directly to your seat in the Ellie Caulkins Opera House or Buell Theatre.

* Show-themed drink features for every performance.

* Freshly prepared foods available in theater lobbies.

* Beat the lines and pre-order drinks for intermission.

* Join Limelight for after-show drinks on Fridays and Saturdays.

Eavesdropping on two employees at an Englewood business: “Did you know that if you lick the frosting off a cupcake that makes it a muffin. And muffins are healthy,”
“You’re a weird not-so-little man.”

“Kinky Boots,” the smash-hit Broadway musical, is a real kick in the … well, you fill in the blank. The 2013 Tony Award-winning musical, with the story by Harvey Fierstein and score by Cyndy Lauper, plays The Buell Theatre through Nov. 9.

This one is well worth your entertainment dollar for two hours of a an uplifting theatrical experience that will set your toes tapping. The story about a failing English shoe factory that reinvents itself to feed the soles of a niche audience (the transvestite community) with man-sized hip-high blingy boots.

The gender lines are so firmly bent that it’s tough to tell which actors, sans wigs, breasts and skimpy costumes, are really male. But it became obvious when the actors joined invited guests to the post-show reception on the Buell’s mezzanine.

This is a new-ish Denver Center Attractions addition for top ticket holders wanting an added value to theater tickets. The cast munched and mingled with an appreciative audience.

For tickets, go to www.denvercenter.org or call 303-893-4100.

Out-going Colorado Restaurant Association president and CEO Pete Meersman got a hearty sendoff Tuesday night when roughly 150 friends and fans gathered at the Denver ChopHouse & Brewery.

Meersman’s CRA career spanned 32 years, starting in membership sales. He will assume the new part-time role as chief strategy officer for the CRA. Sonia Riggs, the former director of the Colorado Division of the American Institute of Architects, will step into Meersman’s well-worn shoes as the new president and CEO.

If you’re Rachel Maddow looking to poke through Colorado politics, you won’t find a better tour guide than Lynn Bartels, political reporter for The Denver Post.

Bartels has her pulse of our state’s politicos, and is well respected by both parties. Maddow, who taped her MSNBC show this week in Denver. The show, with Bartels’ insights aired Tuesday. You can catch each segment at www.msnbc.com/search/Lynn%20Bartels.

In the short scenes, Bartels talks to Maddow about how important smiling is to the Mark Udall-Corey Gardner U.S. Senate race, the horse on the Paul Bunyan-sized red chair next to the main library, the Bannock street spot – now a gym – where various successful Democratic candidates had their campaign headquarters or conducted business to support other Dem hopefuls.

Bartels is a state treasure in Colorado’s shrinking newspaper industry. Now Maddow knows that too.

Before or after your Halloween party, check out Charcoal Restaurant, 43 W. Ninth Ave., and discover what night owls eat on the streets of Tokyo after a night on the town.

From 5 p.m. to close in the bar and lounge, Charcoal is serving Tokyo-inspired street food and libations. For $30 per person (tax and tip excluded), get assorted street foods and cocktails including Yakitori, beer and more. If you’re still hungry, you can order more ala carte.

The restaurant opens at 4 p.m. and with food served starting at 5 p.m. Charcoal’s regular menu will be served in the dining room. Reservations: 303-454-0000 or e-mail 43wrestaurant@gmail.com or online at www.charcoaldining.com/reservations.