ASHLEY'S LIST

What Can I Do?

noreply@blogspirit.com (Ashley E. Kingsley) — Sun, 16 Mar 2008 23:20:00 -0700

I was lucky enough to attend the 20th Annual Limelight Awards put on by the LoDo District, Inc. this week. It was a grand event with all many of Denver's movers and shakers! Kevin Taylor knows how to rock the menu at the Opera House - stunning venue.

What made this particular event so special was learning about the changes that Denver has seen over the last 20 years and meeting the people who have dedicated so much of their time to turning Denver an amazing city. I felt humbled indeed, when Dana Crawford took to the stage and talked so candidly about where Denver was 20 years ago and the time, planning and involvement it has taken to get simple things changed. What a women, a pioneer and such an asset to our city. I felt lucky to meet Dana in person that night and I believe Dana is Denver's darling.

There were many wonderful people in the room that night. Mayor Hickenlooper, Newly retired new anchor from Channel 7 Bill Clark was the lovely emcee. Dave Moore, the brilliant mind behind the ROCKTOBER marketing campaign and so many more. I so enjoyed learning about the people who have contributed to our city and how much love there is is for the small town we call home. No matter what anyone says - Denver will always be a town. Our town.

We are lucky to have such leaders and committed citizens. This is what makes any place great and it is rare to find such a nook where people are so genuinely proud of their streets, parks, rivers, renovations and public transportation (more to come!)

Here it is:

What Can I DO to Keep Denver GREAT?
How Can I Get INVOLVED?
How Do I EDUCATE Myself About Issues Concerning My Community?
How Can I PARTICIPATE? the challenge that I have decided to take on:

I invite you all to ask yourself these questions. Maybe you are involved. GREAT! If you aren't, perhaps it is time to give back. I am challenging myself and each one of you to do something that makes a difference for our TOWN! I am including resources on this list and I want to dedicate this to all the people that have been working over the years to create a culture and environment that lends itself to prideful living and a juicy lifestyle.

I am proud to call Denver, home.

LoDo At Twenty

noreply@blogspirit.com (Ashley E. Kingsley) — Fri, 14 Mar 2008 00:35:00 -0700

LoDo District, ED
By Simone Howell Raarup

When you picture LoDo, what comes to mind? Perhaps tower cranes, signifying more new investment going into the historic district. Maybe you picture the 70-plus bars and restaurants that reflect the entertainment quarter LoDo has become, or the nearly 2500 residents that now call Lower Downtown home. But you might not picture the controversy and compromise that gave birth to what is now Denver’s premier, urban, mixed-use neighborhood. In fact, according to Barbara Pahl of the National Trust for Historic Preservation, the creation of the district was not just controversial, “Lower Downtown in Denver was a miracle.”

Like any good story, this one is filled with drama and plot twists. It began when the City of Denver was founded at the confluence of Cherry Creek and the South Platte River in 1858. Over time, the roughly twenty three-block warehouse area generally referred to as Lower Downtown became Denver’s bustling commercial center. However the center of commerce eventually moved away from the warehouse district with the demise of rail transit, the growth of automobile use, and the creation of suburban industrial parks. By the 1970s, antiquated viaducts cast shadows over a rough area, marked by boarded up windows and depressed property values. But, underneath the grime, some visionary people saw promise.

A new plot line began in 1974 when Lower Downtown was rezoned as mixed-use to encourage commercial businesses to open in the previously industrial-zoned areas. Then in the mid-80s, Denver was dealt a crippling blow when its oil-based economy busted. By 1987, downtown had a vacancy rate of 30 percent, with Lower Downtown’s levels hovering closer to 50 percent. Nearly a third of the buildings in Lower Downtown had been foreclosed. The 1986 Downtown Area Plan identified Lower Downtown as an area for preservation and reinvestment, but despite this between 1981 and 1988 an estimated twenty percent of Lower Downtown’s buildings were demolished.

In the midst of this turmoil, support began growing to protect the area’s remaining historic fabric through the establishment of an historic district. Groups such as Historic Denver and the National Trust for Historic Preservation began working on the issue, along with supportive activists. However, virtually none of the property owners supported designation. One notable exception was developer Jerry Glick. It was a hard time—he was new to Lower Downtown, and his stance was not popular among other property owners. When asked why he supported designation, he said it was simply the idea that he could “do good and do well at the same time.” He wanted to protect the historic buildings and did not see that as conflicting with his property rights: “It was the same thing – it was good for everybody.”

By 1988, things had reached their climax. Mayor Federico Peña was a strong advocate for LoDo’s designation, despite the uproar: “Yes, many property owners were against it, but we argued that their property values would ultimately increase with the District. We were right, and now LoDo has some of the most sought after sites in Colorado.” At a bitterly-contested March hearing that lasted until 2:30 am, the city council narrowly passed legislation creating the Lower Downtown Historic District, over the objections of the majority of property owners.

Throughout the 1990s Lower Downtown developed a name for itself as a revitalizing part of Denver. Warehouses converted to lofts, sparking positive energy and drawing pioneering downtown residents. The neighborhood got its nickname when newspaper columnist Dick Kreck coined the term LoDo. Viaducts came down, streetscape improvements went in, and gradually pedestrians filled the new sidewalks throughout the neighborhood.

When Coors Field was built on the northeastern edge of the district in 1995, people were unsure just what its impacts would be. Though initially greeted with anxiety, most people now agree that baseball has been a boon for the district. In late 1999 the Pepsi Center opened just west of LoDo. Taken together, these two facilities provide bookends to the neighborhood, both in urban design terms and in their entertainment uses. Today, managing the impacts of the imminent Denver Union Station redevelopment project and supporting high-quality contemporary architectural design in the district are just two issues facing the still-evolving neighborhood.

Increasingly, cities are recognizing that an historic district should not be a thing apart, a static collection of buildings separated from the rest of the city. Rather, historic districts should be integrated with the evolving fabric of the city, serving to protect an area’s character, but continuing to be a vibrant part of the city as a whole. Born out of controversy, matured through trial and error, and now a national model of a thriving, urban, mixed-use district, LoDo on its twentieth anniversary is ready for its next chapter to begin.

Business Networking For Women Entrepreneurs: Connecting Is The Key To Magical Networking

noreply@blogspirit.com (Ashley E. Kingsley) — Sat, 16 Feb 2008 01:24:46 -0700

Something strange happens to many women when they approach networking opportunities. They suddenly forget how to connect, simply going through the motions of shaking hands and exchanging business cards. Networking becomes a chore -- part of a business plan that is carried out with apprehension and some degree of loathing. It doesn’t have to be this way. Networking magic happens through your connections - and your connections can create the fulfilling life you’re looking for.

Your First Step: Start With Your Heart

Real connections come from true, heart-felt, and honest interactions. Shed your business persona and be yourself. If you have a line drawn between your personal and business connections, then erase that line. Start connecting with others as if each person might end up as your best friend. It’s a simple formula for connecting from your heart with other entrepreneurs: Be yourself, and you’ll naturally attract like-minded, quality people. People you meet are more likely to introduce you to their friends and associates if they like you.

Honesty, curiosity, and vulnerability are keys to success. Intimate connections are the foundation upon which we build satisfied lives and the best connections are heart-centered connections. Don’t think for a minute that success in business requires a stoic business persona. Nothing could be farther from the truth.

Maintain an attitude of service

Great connections are the ultimate life and business builders and all great connections are based on a positive attitude of serving. Yes, it’s true that we can’t stay in business for long if we give everything away. But, there’s a fascinating paradox that I’ve discovered in my many years of networking and creating connections. The more I give, the more I get.

Approach each interaction with an eye toward providing service. Find out what your prospect needs, and if you can’t provide the answers, then steer her towards someone you know. You’re not giving your business away, but you are always thinking of ways you can be of service to others. A service-oriented attitude is perhaps the most magical networking tool available. You’ll be amazed at how swiftly and abundantly it comes back your way. Simply put - the more you give, the more you get.

It’s not who you know, it’s who knows you

Those with the largest database of business cards don’t necessarily win. Unless you’ve honestly connected with the most influential people in your database, having their names will do you little good. Put your energy toward creating close connections with those who can have the most positive influence in your life, and don’t limit your search to business connections.

Think in terms of how you can help these people by connecting them with others you know, by providing a unique service, or simply by being a friend. Make yourself available and they’ll respond in kind when you’re in need. Ask yourself: Who are the most influential people in my industry? Who are the people with whom I’d most like to associate with? Then, start developing strategies to meet these people. It’s most important to connect with those who are most like how you want to be. And don’t for a moment believe that some people are out of your reach. Aim high and you’ll reach high.

Connecting isn’t a solo trip

Great networking isn’t about out-maneuvering your competition. The best networkers think in terms of collaboration, not competition, even with their fiercest competitors. How might two or three of you band together to provide products or services to more high-end, high-paying customers? How can you enlist the help of people around the globe in your R&D efforts?

Connecting by its very nature is collaborative. Instead of collecting business cards and sending out brochures, seek out people with whom you might collaborate and build strong connections. You might meet someone with a brilliant idea who’s looking for a partner with your expertise. Or, you might form a mastermind group to brainstorm innovative ways to improve your business while holding each other accountable for implementing these new ideas. Best of all, you’ll create new friendships that enrich your life.

Jill Lublin is an internationally acclaimed speaker and best selling author of the books, Guerrilla Publicity and Networking Magic. She is the CEO of the strategic consulting firm, Promising Promotion, http://www.promisingpromotion.com/ and founder of GoodNews Media, Inc. Contact her at 415-883-5455 or via email: info@promisingpromotion.com

What the Heck is Social Media?

noreply@blogspirit.com (Ashley E. Kingsley) — Wed, 16 Jan 2008 01:12:08 -0700

People have largely been immune to being spoon fed information. We turn on the radio and the news is being fed to us. Though we have a choice in what station we listen to, we are still be handed information. This is also true when we turn on the television. Yes, we have channels to choose from, however, we are still being fed a the end of the day by large conglomerates with an agenda.

Over the last few years social networking sites have popped up everywhere. You have probably heard of MY SPACE or YOU TUBE or FACEBOOK by now? These are good examples of social media platforms. These portals give the average citizen a place to carve out an opinion, steer a rating and toss a vote.

What does this mean? This means that we (you, me and the guy on the corner) have a voice. We are writing the reviews. We, yes, you and I, are leading word-of- mouth marketing campaigns, sometimes without even knowing it. Ever tell someone they must go and see the latest movie you just saw or visit the latest and greatest watering hole? Yup, this is what I am talking about!

It use to be that we turned to "experts" to find out what to buy, where to eat, what movies to see, where to travel and you get the idea. Now, we rely on our community. The communities that we in essence design. With tools like MY SPACE, we are able to communicate en mass, speak up, speak out and even communicate with people without even knowing them, often, meaningfully.

I get the question all the time "Isn't MY SPACE for the teenagers?" This makes me chuckle. The answer is, why, it is for everyone! The beauty of these platforms is we can utilize them exactly how we choose. We can use them for business, networking, dating, making friends, politics, fundraising, educating, the list goes on. The possibilities are really endless.

The early adopters understand the power of citizen marketing. People who are savvy enough to plug in to these alternatives are the ones gaining the most from what they have to offer. Did you happen to notice who the 'Person of the Year' on Time Magazine was in 2006? YOU!

We can research information at the speed of light. No longer do we need to digg throug card catalogs and search for ISBN's to find our answers. This is archaic. We can look for what we want and we can apply our findings, our knowledge and our expertise in so many ways! It is very exciting and gives the expert and the novice all a place to play co-exist equally. How cool is that?

Wiki Definition of Social Media:

If you really want to delve deep check out some of these reading options: Citizen Marketers: When People are the Message Now is Gone: A Primer on New Media for Executives and Entrepreneurs Wikinomics: How Mass Collaboration Changes Everything ASK DAVE TAYLOR: This is an endless site for information that goes well beyond the Social Media frame.

Don't be afraid to surf around on some of these websites. Look at what people have created. Spend some time envisioning how you can create a campaign that can transcend any other campaign you have ever done using only social media. The possibilities will keep you awake all night with excitement. Oh, wait. That is why you HIRE ME! This is what I do for my clients! I would love nothing more than to take your campaign onto the social media road to show you and your target audience the endless possibilities!

Change the World. Start at Home - VOTE for Denver

noreply@blogspirit.com (Ashley E. Kingsley) — Tue, 11 Dec 2007 15:02:23 -0700

HGTV’s Change the World. Start at Home campaign is a community revitalization project in ten cities, one of which is Denver. Each community will receive funding for specific community projects. However, people can vote for the cities they feel are the most deserving of a makeover. The most ‘popular’ cities will receive additional funding from HGTV and be featured on the network.

If Denver is selected, the Curtis Park District in Five Points neighborhood will receive much needed attention through the renovation of the Curtis Park Community Center building and church. The community center has been closed in recent years due to repair issues and asbestos contamination. Their current funds only cover removal of the asbestos. However, HGTV funds will help create new programs for seniors and children and of course help revitalize the neighborhood.

Also planned is funding for Denver’s Mile High Million program whose goal is to add one million new trees to the Denver Metro by the year 2025. HGTV will support a tree planting program on Stout Street and Park Avenue to beautify and improve the area.

Be part of the change and vote for Denver! Vote for Denver at the following URL:
www.hgtv.com/hgtv/ah_change_the_world/text/0,,HGTV_30676_65470,00.html

Bookmark the site because you can vote once each day from each computer until the end of December. By voting for Denver you will help revitalize a great, historic Denver community.

Check out www.hubbuzz.com

An Amazing Town

noreply@blogspirit.com (Ashley E. Kingsley) — Thu, 18 Oct 2007 20:10:00 -0700

I am continually amazed by Denver. Though I am a "native" I still get the chills when people are just kind 'for no reason at all. They are good chills. This doesn't happen everywhere. This, ordinary kindness. Denver boasts kind people.

I am proud to live in this town - and yes, I still think it is a town, though hardly, as the buildings keep going up fast and furiously. We just captured the World Series...WOW! The Democratic National Convention is coming to town in ten short months... we are growing up. DENVER IS GROWING UP?!!!

But is still a town... in my heart. It is our town. We have the chance to show the world how kind we are. This is exciting for small business...very exciting. We will have 35,000 people coming in for the World Series alone. We will have an influx of 40,000 people visiting Denver beginning on August 23, 2008.

Not only are we kind, we are savvy. We are forward thinking. We are healthy. We are entrepreneurs. We are a community. This all makes me so proud.

I am really glad to be doing ASHLEY'S LIST again! We have over 1,800 subscribers now and love seeing people making connections. Thanks for all of your support, kindness and warmth over the last two years! Keep it comin!

Ashley

Star Tipped Cowgirls

noreply@blogspirit.com (Ashley E. Kingsley) — Tue, 10 Oct 2006 00:41:19 -0700

We could be cowboys or Indians. We had swords and dolls with lemonade mustaches and gum woven in our hair.

We had logos and big wheels, tents and picnics. We had elevators instead of stairs, closets filled with little sweaters and tutus. We snuck into sister's sleeping quarters and laughed beneath her crib while she slept.

We watched gum balls turn our mouths from pink to blue. We poured Elmer’s glue on our hands and peeled it away when it dried. We slept with our blankies, well, most of us did. Some put the blankets in their ears and ended up at the Doctors office with a sudden earache.

We jumped on beds then slept in them. We laughed so loud and hard that one of us got sent to the bathtub to sleep for the night. Whoopee cushions were magical, and sugar and peanut butter sandwiches were our staples. Go carts and firecrackers kept us full during the summer nights. Little wading pools and diving boards, sunburns and scabs. Clouds and rain never interrupted E.T. or Sesame Street. Santa and his reindeer stopped by each Christmas Eve, leaving trails of snow and dung on the balcony. Christmas trees were lit long and tall...dancing and deviled eggs filled our winter season.

Easter bunnies hiding eggs with pennies and candy, turkey's laid on platters at our tables, and all the kids always had to sit at the little plastic table.

The lake and rubber yellow raft, red ants and Jessica Hosler, fishing and snakes, Elsa and Patches. Camp and tire swings, climbing trees and playhouses. Barbie's, trains, star wars strawberry shortcake, Mr. Rogers, The Electric Company, Twinkies and diet Pepsi.

Pink leotards, soccer, diaries, Ricky Schroeder, sledding down the stairs on old boxes, hide and seek, ghost in the graveyard, spooky haunted houses, crickets, frogs, lipstick and field trips. Baths and bedtime stories, shopping, laughing, skiing through trees, hiding in forts....

We were but little children, nothing but imagination to bring us to the next adventure, story, fairy tale. We hid beneath trees and prayed to God, we pulled little red wagons and ate corn on the cob. We spilled buckets of freezing water from balconies and campers, we bar-b-qued hamburgers and always wanted McDonalds. We had grass stains on our knees and peed the bed. We licked our lips of cotton candy and screamed in terror at late night window creatures. We ate fudge brownies on the day Spence died; we wore blue eye shadow and got bad perms. We slept all that we could our knees wrapped around pillows that we would wrestle over.

We pulled weeds and broomed cobwebs. WE read the Family Circus and Luanne, in the Sunday paper. WE played patty cake and house, we ripped the
Heads off Barbie’s, we celebrated birthday's, stayed late at summer parties, raked the fall leaves, watched Miami Vice. We got bit by mosquitoes and ran around with wigs and bras stuffed with toilet paper.

We were children. We were heroes, angels, cowgirls, musicians, movie stars, villains, famous, gymnasts, and basketball players, soccer players. WE were the best snowball throwers, the best eaters; we had the best ideas, and an unstoppable desire for laughter. We were funny and talented. We fought fires and fell asleep to "OH WHAT A BUSY DAY!"

We were Amy and Ashley. We were children. WE were best friends. We were blood sisters. We are still magical. We are still cowgirls with candle light beaming from our eyes. Our imaginations are brilliant and star tipped. Our friendship is as round and open as our mouths. Our life as best friends, sisters, companions, is as real as the laughter that breaks from our ribs where we are in each others presence, near or far.