Have you tried to drive and (God forbid) park in Cherry Creek North lately? So it came as no big surprise that Earls Kitchen + Bar at 201 Columbine St. closed for good on Saturday.

According to a story in The Denver Business Journal, “the Canadian chain is blaming the constant street closures and loss of parking that have plagued the neighborhood.”

Here’s the rest of the story:

“The restaurant shut down, effective Saturday, hanging a sign directing customers to its other two area locations in downtown Denver and Lone Tree. Staff and management will be relocated to those locations, company officials said,” the DBJ reported.

“Officials of … Earls Restaurants Ltd. said that they, like other businesses in the Cherry Creek area, have struggled with constant construction around them and the effects it has had on the restaurant. And that only became exacerbated this spring by storm-water-system work that the city of Denver has undertaken.”

“Numerous street closures for well over a year, the loss of street parking and access blocked to additional parking, even occasional power loss made it difficult to conduct business in any kind of consistent manner,” said restaurant-chain spokeswoman Cate Simpson. ‘Additional construction by the city of Denver in the past two months made it impossible to continue to operate and, like a number of other neighboring businesses, this location is unfortunately closed permanently.

According to the DBJ, Simpson said the restaurant met with city officials to discuss how the construction projects were progressing and what the business could expect. It voiced concerns about access, signage and the length of the closure, she said.

“Some businesses have told (City Councilwoman Jeanne) Robb they are suffering, complaints that have led to weekly meetings between city staffers and the Cherry Creek North Business Improvement District as well as to Robb requesting a comparison of first-quarter sales-tax revenues in the district this year versus the first three months of last year.

Cherry Creek North spokeswoman Julie Underahl said the Business Improvement District has listed alternative routes and a new parking guide on www.cherrycreeknorth.com while the construction is underway.

“We are sorry to see Earls close due to the city’s storm sewer project or any other reason,” Underdahl told the DBJ. “The BID has been working very closely with the city to minimize the impacts of their project and to let visitors know that all businesses in the area are open during construction.”

Open, sure, but thriving in that construction cacophony? Hmmmm. I realize the disruption is for the greater good, but it can be hard to see a future when the present looks fuzzy.

The Consulate General of Canada in Denver is planning a series of events, including civic celebrations and a “Mountie on the Move” Facebook and Twitter contest, for the Denver metro area in celebration of Canada Day on July 1.

The event is meant to put a spotlight on Colorado-Canada trade success, an annual trading relationship valued at $6.1 billion.

Among all nations, Canada is Colorado’s largest bilateral trading partner. More than 100,000 Colorado jobs depend on two-way trade with Canada.  There are more than 100 Canadian companies employing more than 10,000 Coloradans.

“Colorado is an important market for two-way trade with Canada,” said Marcy Grossman, Consul General of Canada in Denver. “Our vision is to serve as the central gateway for agriculture, energy, and technology between Canada and Colorado. We want to share with Coloradans the great relationships that already exist, and encourage continued growth of these partnerships.”

Canada Day celebrations will be highlighted on June 27 with a free event in the Plaza of the Denver World Trade Center, 1625 Broadway. The event is open to the public and will include live music, speeches and special visits from Denver Mayor Michael B. Hancock and Cherry Hills Village Mayor Doug Tisdale. Members of the public also will have a chance to receive coupons for a free entrée from Colorado-based Smashburger, which is in the process of establishing locations in Canada, as well as a chance to win tickets to the Sarah McLachlan concert at Red Rocks Amphitheatre on July 2. There will also be a mock hockey game for the public to win small Canadian prizes.

Two uniformed officers of the Royal Canadian Mounted Police, or “Mounties”, will also be in Denver on June 27 and 30 as part of a “Mountie on the Move” event. The Mounties will be visiting a variety of Denver-area locations, including the free Plaza event, and the public is encouraged to take photos with members of Canadian law enforcement for the chance to win further prizes.

Additional event information and prizes will be available via social media; @CanCGDenver on Twitter, and Facebook.com/CanadaDayCO. Information will also be posted using the hashtag #CanadaDayCO.

Events and activities are being supported through partnerships with 3^rd Ave. Studios, the Canada Colorado Association, CH2MHill, Colorado Rapids, Denver Film Society, Lockheed Martin, Molson-Coors, Smashburger and Suncor.

Ted’s Montana Grill is joining its fans to pay tribute to the ingredients, meals and hospitality that define the Great American West.  During June and July, the restaurants are celebrating a Great American Summer with an online photo contest, signature burgers and a campaign to elect bison as the national mammal at www.votebison.org.

“Bison are a true American icon that once thundered across our Great Plains,” said George W. McKerrow, who, along with media mogul Ted Turner co-founded Ted’s Montana Grill and pioneered the effort to preserve our country’s bison herds.  “This summer, we are celebrating authentic American dining by shining a spotlight on all the ways local mavericks enjoy our beef and bison burgers.”

Now through July 14, entries and nominations for the “Bite Your Bison” photo contest may be submitted on the Ted’s Montana Grill Facebook page, or via Instagram photos and tweets with the hashtag #BiteYourBison.  Photo entries  also will be accepted at bigskyspirit@tedsmontanagrill.com. Three fans with the most votes will enter the finals, where a restaurant voting panel will choose the grand prize winner of a Big Green Egg barbecue.

Beginning with the first Ted’s Montana Grill opening in 2002, Turner and McKerrow pioneered the effort to preserve the American bison by returning it to America’s table and creating a demand that would provide incentive for ranchers to actively grow their herds. Ted’s Montana Grill is not only the first national restaurant company to feature bison on its menu, but it offers more bison menu items at its 45 restaurants nationwide than any other restaurant in the world. 

There are three Ted’s Montana Grills in the metro area: Larimer Square, Westminster and Lakewood.

Denver set new tourism records in 2013 with visitor spending increasing 12 percent over 2012 to top $4 billion for the first time ever.  The numbers are according to the Longwoods International annual visitor profile study, a report commissioned by Visit Denver, The Convention & Visitors Bureau.

Denver also saw a record number of overnight visitors in 2013, with 14 million vacationers and business travelers coming to the city, up 3 percent over 2012.   The increase came mainly from “marketable” leisure travelers.  These are defined as people who could travel to any destination, but specifically chose to visit Denver.  Marketable visitors increased 13 percent in 2013 to a record high of 5.5 million visitors.

Marketable visitors spend an average of $113 a day, versus vacationers visiting friends and relatives, who spend $68 a day.  Business travelers spend the most at $126 a day.

“It’s exciting to see that our marketing efforts are working and we are continuing to drive new lucrative ‘marketable’ visitors to Denver,” said Richard Scharf, president and CEO of Visit Denver. “Tourism and conventions don’t just happen. The Longwoods study allows us to see that since 2005 when voters approved more marketing dollars for Denver, we have seen a 48 percent increase in the number of leisure visitors coming to our city.”

According to the report:

* Denver welcomed a record 14 million overnight visitors in 2013, up 3 percent over 2012.

* The number of people visiting friends and relatives in Denver in 2013 dropped 2 percent from 2012, mirroring a national trend that saw a 3 percent drop in people visiting friends and relatives throughout the U.S.  The number of people coming to Denver for conventions and business travel in 2013 was flat with 2012; nationally, business travel was down 11 percent in the U.S. in 2013 versus  2012.  Marketable visitors to Denver increased 13 percent in 2013 to a record high of 5.5 million visitors, versus a 9 percent increase nationally.

* Overnight visitors spent a record $4 billion in 2013, 12 percent more than 2013, with $3.16 billion spent by leisure visitors (up 14 percent over 2012) and $845 million spent by business travelers (up 4 percent over 2012).

* All five of the major business sectors connected to travel and tourism saw an increase in spending in 2013.  Denver visitors spent more than $1.1 billion in Denver hotels and other lodging establishments, and $796 million on food and beverages.

* Expenditures by visitors on gas, car rentals and other local transportation purchases topped $1.1 billion.  Purchases at retail stores was $549 million, while  vacationers and business travelers spent $373 million on the city’s paid attractions and other recreational and sightseeing activities.

* On average, the biggest spenders are business travelers, who spent $368 per trip; followed by marketable leisure visitors who spent $293 per trip, then followed by people visiting friends and relatives, who spent $249.

* Vacationers spent an average of 3.2 nights in the city, down from 3.4 nights in 2012.  Business travelers stayed 3.8 nights, about the same as in recent years.

* Just under three in 10 leisure travelers were first-time visitors to Denver, about the same as last year.  Marketable visitors were more likely to be first-timers.

* Colorado saw a 5 percent increase in visitors in 2013, attracting a record 27.1 million vacationers.

* Denver’s image (what visitors thought of the city) improved greatly in 2013. Just over seven in 10 visitors agreed strongly that Denver is a place they would “really enjoy visiting again”.

* Denver’s image in 2013 scored higher than in 2012 for ease of getting around, nightlife and entertainment scene, the sense of excitement, offering famous landmarks, the arts scene (including theater, galleries and museums) and offering interesting festivals and events.

The top states sending vacationers to Denver in 2013, apart from Colorado itself, were:

• California
• Texas
• Illinois
• Nebraska
• Florida
• New Mexico
• Kansas
• Minnesota
• Arizona
• Wyoming
• Maryland
• New York

The top cities from outside of Colorado sending leisure visitors to Denver in 2013 were:

• Los Angeles
• Chicago
• Albuquerque-Santa Fe
• Houston
• San Diego
• Phoenix
• Dallas-Ft. Worth
• Minneapolis-St. Paul
• New York

Shopping and entertainment were popular tourist activities in Denver in 2013. The top 10 shopping and entertainment centers were (in order):

* 16th Street Mall

* Lower Downtown Historic District

* Cherry Creek Shopping Center/Cherry Creek North

* Outlets at Castle Rock

* Denver Pavilions

* Park Meadows Retail Resort

* Larimer Square

* FlatIron Crossing Mall

* Shops at Tabor Center

* Belmar

The top 15 paid and free attractions in Denver were (in order):

* Denver Zoo

* Colorado State Capitol

* Coors Brewery

* Red Rocks Park & Amphitheatre

* Denver Botanic Gardens

* Denver Art Museum

* Denver Museum of Nature & Science

* Colorado Rockies

* Elitch Gardens Theme & Water Park

* Downtown Aquarium

* U.S. Mint

* Buffalo Bill’s Museum & Grave

* Colorado Railroad Museum

* Butterfly Pavilion

* Denver Broncos

Dave Chappelle performs one night only at 8 p.m. Aug. 24 at Red Rocks Amphitheatre. Aug. 24 will be Chappelle’s 41st birthday.

Tickets go on sale at noon Friday.

Chappelle has been making the talk-show circuit lately to promote his stand-up act and to make light of his decision to walk away from a $50 million Comedy Central contract.

Tickets, available at www.livenation.com and all Ticketmaster outlets are $55 and $65 plus applicable service charges. To charge by phone, call 1-800-745-3000.

(Comedy Central photo)

It’s hard to believe that the Hard Rock Cafe has been rocking the 16th Street Mall for 16 years.

And like many rock stars, there comes a time to inject new energy into the act. That’s what the Hard Rock Denver did recently when it unveiled a remodel, new menu items and all new memorabilia in gold frames (the only restaurant in the chain to do so as an homage to Colorado’s gold rush history).

My condo BFF and I were treated to a recent tour through the remodeled digs and massive memorabilia by John Lindsay, senior sales and marketing manager. Chairs throughout the bar and dining rooms sport a copper-toned fabric, there’s velvet and gold chain mail hanging over the bar, new LED lighting over the stage where national and local musicians perform and all the plaques labeling the memorabilia are mounted on frames with Red Rocks Amphitheatre in the background.

All of the rock n’ roll memorabilia have been switched out with the exception of the Beatles sled from the movie “Help”. The upstairs boasts a Red Rocks Room dedicated to artists who have played in those hallowed rock walls. There’s an original poster from The Beatles only Denver concert in 1964, Johnny Cash’s shoes, photos from Dave Matthews and The Fray, one of the first bands to play at Denver’s Hard Rock.

Also upstairs are framed blotter acid sheets (with the illicit drugs missing) from drug aficionado Timothy Leary.

New menu items, prepared under the direction of chef Ryan Mapes, include half-pound burgers (my favorite was the Fiesta Burger on a toasted brioche bun with roasted jalapenos, salsa, jack cheese, fresh guacamole and pico de gallo); a starter sampler with chicken wings, nachos, spinach artichoke dip and bruschetta; a grilled chicken arugula salad and desserts to share such as the apple cobbler and the brownie fudge sundae.

For more information, go to www.hardrock.com/cafes/denver/.

Above, appetizer sampler; below, apple cobbler, giant brownie fudge sundae and slider sampler. (Hard Rock Cafe photos)

A whole lotta LoDo retaurants invite you to sip, sample and stroll during the annual LoDo Bites from 5 to 9 p.m. June 18.

Bites attendees are invited to walk off the calories between stops along the route where each eatery will serve a nosh or two and/or offer drink specials.

Participating restaurants include:

Backcountry Delicatessen; BDs Mongolian BBQ; Black Crow at Rio Grande; Coohills; Crepes ‘N’ Crepes; Euclid Hall; Fogo de Chao; Hapa Sushi; Jax Fish House Denver; Jimmy’s Urban Bar & Grill; Lucky Pie Denver; Mangiamo Pronto!; McCormick’s Fish House & Bar; Protein Bar; The Squeaky Bean; Wazee Supper Club; Wynkoop Brewing Company; Vesta Dipping Grill and more.

Tickets are $35 in advance and $45 at the door, and available at www.lodo.org.

Governor John Hickenlooper, Denver Mayor Michael Hancock, and Aurora Mayor Steve Hogan have issued proclamations declaring the week that ends on Father’s Day, June 9-15, as Men’s Health Week. This awareness period is part of a national effort to celebrate fatherhood while helping to educate men, boys and their families about disease prevention, medical screenings and living healthy lifestyles.

(Aurora Proclamation: http://www.menshealthmonth.org/wp-content/uploads/2014/02/City-Aurora-2014.jpg)

(Denver Proclamation: http://www.menshealthmonth.org/wp-content/uploads/2014/02/City-Denver-2014.jpg)

(Colorado Proclamation: http://www.menshealthmonth.org/wp-content/uploads/2014/02/CO-2014.jpg)

This year marks the 20th anniversary of the establishment of National Men’s Health Week. The legislation was sponsored by Sen. Bob Dole and Congressman Bill Richardson and was signed by President Bill Clinton on May 31, 1994.

According to the National Center for Health Statistics, men have higher rates of death from cancer, diabetes and heart disease. Moreover, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reports women nationwide are 100 percent more likely to visit their doctor for annual exams and preventative services than men.

“Despite advances in medical technology and research, men continue to live an average of five years less than women,” Hickenlooper said. “Educating the public and health care providers about the importance of a healthy lifestyle and early detection of male health problems will result in reducing rates of mortality from disease.”

Aurora Mayor Hogan said, “Men’s Health Week is such an important week for us all. Our health not only affects our individual quality of life, but also that of our families, so take the time to encourage the men in your life to seek out medical advice and early treatment for diseases and injuries.”

“We applaud Governor Hickenlooper, Mayor Hancock, and Mayor Hogan for helping raise awareness of the health issues facing men and their families by declaring June 9-15 Men’s Health Week,” said Ana Fadich, Men’s Health Network vice president. “Men’s health is truly a family issue, impacting not only men but also the women in their lives. We hope that by promoting the health and well-being of men and boys around Father’s Day, they will take action and set a doctor’s appointment in June.”

In preparation for Men’s Health Week, MHN encourages health care professionals, private industry, faith-based organizations, community groups and other interested organizations and individuals to plan activities and events which focus on men’s health during the week of June 9-15. For ideas and open resources in both English and Spanish, visit www.menshealthmonth.org.

Larimer Associates and their partners have added 5 green boxes to the mix of Colorado retailers and restaurants opening in the new Denver Union Station this July.

Charlotte Elich opened the first 5 green boxes in Denver’s South Pearl Street shopping and dining district in 1999. The store has since expanded to two locations in the neighborhood – the Little Store, a woman’s boutique offering contemporary clothing, purses, jewelry, scarves and more, and the Big Store, which features home décor, reclaimed furniture and gifts.

At Union Station, 5 green boxes plans to offer an eclectic mix of local crafts, jewelry, one of a kind furniture and worldly goods, with a focus on artsy gifts and hip items for travelers.

“This project is really exciting because of the sheer number of people who will be passing through Denver Union Station every day – from downtown residents and workers to visitors to Colorado,” Elich said.

Opening on July 12, Denver’s new Union Station will feature a collection of locally owned restaurants and retailers, including Mercantile Dining & Provision, a European-style restaurant and market by chef Alex Seidel, Stoic & Genuine by chef Jennifer Jasinski, Snooze, The Kitchen Next Door Community Bistro, the Tattered Cover Book Store and Bloom, a boutique by Anuschka Pashel. Denver Union Station is now 100 percent leased.

“5 green boxes is the perfect final retailer to round-out the eclectic mix of Colorado businesses that we envisioned for the new Denver Union Station,” said Pat McHenry, leasing and acquisition partner at Larimer Associates.

Denver Union Station will also be home to The Crawford Hotel, a 112-room independent luxury hotel managed by Sage Hospitality.

For more information on Denver Union Station,visit www.unionstationindenver.com.