King Tut exhibit opens today in Denver

The debut of one of the biggest exhibits in Denver history is TODAY -- King Tut has arrived! That's right walk like an Egyptian and get thee to the King Tut Exhibit at Denver Art Musueum, starting today June 29 through January 9, 2011. (Childen 5 and under are FREE!)

Colorful, interesting with tiny glimpses inside the world of Tutankhamun: The Golden King and the Great Pharaohs, featuring striking objects from
some of the most important rulers throughout 2,000 years of ancient Egyptian history, from the 4th Dynasty into the Late Period (about 2,600 B.C. to 660 B.C.). The artifacts are from a variety of temples and royal and private tombs, and many of these items have never before visited the United States prior to this exhibition tour.

On Friday, I was fortunate enough to be given a preview* of this ancient Egyptian exhibit that highlights young King Tut and the artifacts in his tomb, from his tiny chair/throne to his golden sandals. (*Courtesy of Denver Art Museum, VISIT DENVER and Hyatt folks!)

The exhibit begins, in a dark tomb-like gallery with a film overview of the great Pharaohs, narrated by Harrison Ford. Your movements flow through galleries, almost eerie in its low lighting with the Egyptian music playing in the background to set the tone, while listening to the audio guide of the artifacts. (NOTE: Make sure you spend the extra $5 to add the audio and 3D film -- it's worth its price in gold!)

Whatever the reason, the curator and/or design team of this exhibit makes the visitor feel like she is right there, discovering the ancient tombs.  You will walk through spaces exploring some of the most important pharaohs in Egyptian history, before ending with the discovery of the tomb of King Tut, and you'll share the the excitement British explorer Howard Cater must have felt in 1922 when his water boy discovered the entrance to King Tut's tomb.

Book your ticket now. Better yet, skip the lines and be a King Tut VIP! Stay downtown and purchase one of several Tut packages at participating hotels, such as the Grand Hyatt Denver or Hyatt Regency at Colorado Convention Center! Read more about the King Tut exhibit here.

I'd love to hear about your King Tut experience. Share your comments below.

Until next time, Diana 
Photos © 2010 Diana Rowe All rights reserved

Walk like an Egyptian when King Tut exhibit comes to Denver

It might not be the exotic destination of Egypt, but for the next 6-ish months, Denver will offer visitors the opportunity to walk like an Egyptian, or at least see how they lived. I'm excited to get the opportunity of a sneak media preview tomorrow of Tutankhamun: The Golden King and the Great Pharaohs.

The widely acclaimed and record-breaking King Tut exhibition is featured at the Denver Art Museum. Dates for the King Tut exhibit have already been extended from June 29, 2010 through January 9, 2011. Revel in the splendor of ancient Egypt as you view a dazzling array of more than 130 treasures spanning over 2,000 years of ancient Egyptian history, including 50 artifacts from the tomb of King Tut. This will be the only Rocky Mountain appearance before the boy king's treasures return to Cairo.

I'll be (hopefully) overnighting at the Hyatt Regency Denver at Colorado Convention Center, one of many downtown Denver hotels offering Egyptian-themed packages. The Hyatt Regency is featuring 45-minute Egyptian Aroma Therapy Body Wrap treatments -- I guess so you can feel wrapped like an Egyptian?  I'll try it out and let you know how it feels!


Photo (above) Tutankhamun canopic coffinette. 15.4 in Photo Courtesy © Sandro Vannini


Click here to read more about Denver events themed around the King Tut exhibit

Yelp! Chit Chat Bistro Arvada, Colorado

Girlfriend getaways can be as simple as lunch and a glass (or two) of wine. Yesterday I took time out from a busy day (and let's be honest what day isnt' busy?) to meet my friend, Laurie, for lunch at a new restaurant, Chit Chat Bistro, near where we live in Arvada (west of Denver).

We're both amateur foodies who love to try new places and hope for the best. This time, we discovered a real gem: Chit Chat Bistro, just west of Ward on 58th Avenue. if you blink, you'll miss it because it's located in the west corner of an office building. But it's worth the trip. The food is yummy! The Italiano classico panini with marinara sauce on the side -- the panini bread is fresh and the right amount of crunchy, the marinara sauce fresh, oh and side salad with the fresh! balsamic vinegar dressing is to die for. My fork found it's way to my girlfriend's Classique de deli crepe, a huge portion, fresh, just the right amount of light. Very affordable: appetizers $5-$11; Soup and salads from $3.50 - $9; lunch plates $8 and dinners $9.50-$16.

It's casual and homey. Even Chef Niko stopped by our table. The piped music is so Greek, reminescent of the flick, My Big Fat Greek Wedding. Go there. You'll love Chit Chat Bistro.

Read my Chit Chat Bistro yelp review

Until next time

I'm the new TravelingGrandMom

I'm so excited to announce that I will be joining the TravelMom Blogger Network as the new (and only!) TravelingGrandMom. I'm excited to share my personal travels as a young baby boomer and GrandMom to my pride and joy, my two grandhildren, Kaydence (age 5) and Ryland (age 3).

What? You didn't know I was a 40-something-year-old Grandmom. Ah yes, indeed! Here is a snapshot of those little darlings:






Traveling with grandchildren is hard work, even if it is hauling 'em downtown Denver to enjoy what our own backyard offers: museums, zoo, amusement park, and other fabulous entertainment.

So stay tuned..and I'll keep you updated on traveling with grandchildren through my TravelingGrandMom blog at TravelingMom.com andI will also offer up travel tips with grandchildren!

Until then,
Diana Rowe

blogging about Houston

Howdy,
Just blogged about Houston trip at Where in the World is Diana Today. Check it out.
Also, I twitter about my travels and just whatever I feel like -- check it out or hey, why not follow me on twitter?
Back in Denver to the "real" world tomorrow.
Diana

Green in Denver

The absolutely beautiful July day here in Denver (albeit a little hot) makes me want to take care of my world just a little better. I recently wrote an article for the Denver Metro CVB about "Mile High Meetings Send a Green Message."

Now, I'm usually not a political activist, but I *am* conscious of what's going on. For instance, I never just toss my trash out the door. I recycle. I try to save the environment as much as I can.

Oh, and of course, I do my part by riding my motorcycle to conserve gas -- and save money out of my pocketbook! :-)

Why don't you just check the article out and here's an excerpt:

Mile High Meetings Send A Green Message
JUNE 2008
BY: Diana Rowe is a Denver-based freelance writer and a contributing editor to several meetings trade publications.

Culinary delights, high thread counts, turndown service, and spa services are great, but what planners really want today are organic food, biodegradable soap, high-impact fluorescent light bulbs, and recycle bins. All across the globe, corporations are making their mark through investments aimed at improving the planet’s social and environmental problems.

That’s why planners are making conscious decisions to select cities and venues that are environmentally-conscious, and Denver, the Mile-High city, is up for the green challenge.

The Colorado Convention Center (CCC) is one of the most practical and "user-friendly" meeting facilities ever built.

“We recognize that a large part of Colorado’s destination appeal is our stunning natural setting. The tourism and convention industry has a strong interest in creating programs that will help us grow our business in a sustainable fashion,” said Richard Scharf, president and CEO of the Denver Metro Convention & Visitor’s Bureau (DMCVB).

Sustainability is a core value in Denver City Government, according to Mayor John W. Hickenlooper, who joined 49 other mayors nationwide in the summer of 2005 to pledge to improve the environment and their cities and reduce greenhouse gas emissions. That same year, Hickenlooper launched the Greenprint Denver Initiative.

Greenprint is a long-term, citywide initiative to promote the importance of sustainable development and ecologically-friendly practices throughout the community. The program includes a plan to plant one million trees in the next 20 years, as well as ways to reduce waste and increase use of renewable energy.

Denver is also facilitating the green business designation of the upcoming 2008 Democratic National Convention, expected to bring close to 50,000 visitors to Denver. This is the first green recognition process for a national political convention. The green designation requires businesses to commit to sustainable practices in seven key areas: leadership, energy efficiency, water conservation, waste and pollution reduction, community involvement, working conditions, and education. (Find out more about how the Convention will be the greenest in Democratic Party history here.)

There's more just click here.

Thanks for reading -- and talk to you soon!

Diana

MotorcycleRiderNews

Recommended shoes: Biker boots!
There's been lots of changes in the past couple of months. One is that I'm the new editor of the Denver motorcycle rag, Motorcycle Rider News (MRN). Check out this month's (May/June) cover -- long story but short story is that we had our cover all ready to go and got a nix on the cover peeps. We scrambled and came up with a picture of me, on a rented Softail, overlooking the Grand Canyon. What a way to see the Grand Canyon, riding along and experiencing the amazing, awe-inspiring view of the Grand Canyon.

I am also blogging on MRN.com, so check out my first blog about scooting around Denver this weekend. What I didn't post on that blog was a picture of my daughter, Bethany, who is the weekend bartender at In The Zone Sports Bar in Golden (another link to its MySpace site). So here's your look at my #2 daughter...

Keep riding, Diana

2008 Harley Cross Bones Picture

Hello all -- just back from my scurried travels, starting in Fort Lauderdale's Hyatt Regency Bonaventure, then scooting on over the Foxwoods Resort & Casino. I'll jot a note about Foxwoods in a day or two, but drum roll please.

Here's a picture of mama's new bike. Yep that's me on my 2008 Harley Cross Bones. This weekend's weather forecast for Denver is 60+ degrees. That means I'll be out on my scoot putting on a few miles. Shoes I'll be wearing? Biker boots, of course, just like the picture below.


What do you think? It's a hot bike, isn't it?

Until later, Diana

New Motorcycle for Diana

Shoes: Biker boots -- or as my dad calls them "engineer boots"
Okay, just the words "engineer boots" make me shudder, but hey, it is what it is. Black, heavy and sturdy especially around the toes. Some have heels, others more flat footed but with plenty of sole -- and of course, the biker chick provides the SOUL.

But I digress. Mama bought her first Harley Saturday at Freedom Harley. I pick it up tomorrow, and it's hot, hot, hot! Check out my blog on my web site for the shopping details. But here's the short of the long story. It's the new 2008 designed "dark custom" called Harley Cross Bones (click on Dark Custom), a nostalgic mix of an Old Springer. The best part is that it fits me! I'm not very tall -- just under 5'7" but after riding the Harley Softtail through the Grand Canyon, I was a bit concerned that Harley might not be the bike for me. I was wrong and tomorrow, when it's 50+ degrees here in Denver, I'll be leathering up to go pick up my bike.

I'll add a picture tomorrow. That's all for now.
Diana