Thrifter’s Paradise: The Goodwill Bins

By: Gabby Sabater, Staff Writer

Have you been wanting to transform your drab wardrobe with vintage pieces and thrift flips but are unsure of where to start? Well, I’ve got a suggestion, however, it’s not one for the faint of heart: Goodwill Outlet World, otherwise known as the Bins. This gem is located a mere ten minutes down I-70 East and is a must-go for thrifters in Denver. 

When I stepped into the store for the first time, I was overwhelmed by bins upon bins filled with clothes, shoes, furniture, and lost treasures. Thrifting warriors were armed with double N95s, latex gloves, and strapped with hand sanitizer. This spot was indeed a mixed bag of folks: moms and Depop-sellers galore were eager to claim cheap, unique finds as their own. 

I looked around me and shoppers were lined against the wall as employees shuffled the bins around. My friends mentioned that they exchange some of the bins out every twenty minutes or so, but it was an odd sight to see in action. Shoppers had their finds stockpiled up against the walls and stared down the employees as they replenished the floor. As the last employee lingered out of the aisle and toward the back, he gave out a muffled “alright” and scavengers booked it to the bins. 

The staticky early-2000s music and fluorescent lights gave it an eerie ambiance along with the shirts, scarves, hats, and pants that were soaring across the room. Shouts of “Hell yeah!” and “No way bro” scattered into the air and echoed throughout the warehouse. If you’ve seen the Hannah Montana movie, picture the scene where Tyra Banks and Miley Cyrus are hashing it out over a pair of pumps. Yeah, you could say that’s pretty spot-on to the energy here. 

I shuffled my way in with some elbow grease and parsed through the endless clothing. While the contents were rather picked over and now consisted mostly of baby clothes and lone gloves, I ended up collecting two solid t-shirts and a Pashmina. I’d grown exhausted of the clothes – it was time to take a stroll over to the shoes and home goods.

In the land of used shoes that seemed to stretch on for miles, it was love at first sight; I’d come across a pair of the most lovely little cowboy boots. I’d been searching for a pair like these high and low and had thus made my time here most definitely worthwhile.

When I thought it couldn’t get any better, I began rummaging through a few bins down and another pair of boots caught my eye– vintage Steve Madden 3-inch platforms. Are you kidding me? Yes, they had very much been pre-loved but I didn’t mind the scuffs and rips this time around. They were mine.

And the best part of it all – checking out. At the Bins, you pay for your items by the pound as opposed to individually-priced items, making purchases super low-cost. I loaded up my finds on the scale and paid $11 for everything. Talk about staying on a college budget.

Overall, I would definitely recommend heading to the Bins for people who really enjoy digging for unique and rare pieces; although here they may be a little pre-worn, they’re still very much really awesome finds. However, you may spend a ridiculous amount of time looking for something that might not even be there.

If you’re not doing anything over spring break and might want to do a little thrifting, go for it! Bring a friend and let the hunt begin.

Exploring the Art in Downtown Denver

By: Labina Tasfia, Staff Writer

On the second day of my college orientation, about 11,000 miles away from home, I found myself on a bike after more than seven years. What was I thinking hopping on a bike, ready to conquer the streets of this new city I knew nothing about? Well, what better way to learn about a new place than cruising through the streets and neighborhoods, letting my senses flood with all the new stimulations. The architecture of the different neighborhoods, the open-air sitting arrangements of numerous local and chain restaurants, the parks, everything was new to me in one sense or the other. What stood out to me the most as I navigated the streets of downtown Denver was the street art. Compared to where I came from, the numerous murals and sculptures were what made downtown Denver so special to me.

Halfway through the bike ride, my brakes had stopped working and I ended up crashing into one of my fellow students. Thankfully we both were fine, but it was an extremely frightful experience. After that, it took me a while to calm down. Even though I was supposed to be observing the neighborhood, I was more focused on trying to stay calm and safe. Then I started to notice the murals drawn on the walls of some of the buildings we passed by. Those beautiful blends of colors had helped calm me down very quickly. Art, of many sorts, had always helped me with my stress and anxiety. So, the beautiful paintings had sparked my curiosity about street art in Denver. 

I wanted to know more about downtown Denver and see all the beautiful art pieces it had to offer, so some of my friends and I decided to go back. We got off near the Denver Center of Performing Arts where we were immediately welcomed by two tall bronze statues of a man and a woman right in front of the opera house. These statues were made by the Colombian artist Fernando Botero. Botero is known for making sculptures of “Fat People”, from an aesthetic point of view. The sculptures were called “The Man” and “The Woman” respectively (Egnor, 2020). The odd and exaggerated design seemed comical. I felt like the entrance of the Center for Performing arts was an appropriate spot for these two whimsical sculptures. To me, they represented the otherworldly beauty, something that is at times a bit hard to understand, of the work of art that people create with their blood, sweat, and tears inside the DCPA.

 As we kept on walking, I had the greatest honor to watch a few Broadway artists rehearse for their performance. Right next to the rehearsal was the 60 feet tall statue of two people dancing. The statue, dubbed as “Dancers” was the first installation in Denver’s Performing arts Sculpture Park. This 25-ton fiberglass duo was created by Jonathan Borofsky and was installed in 2003. The giant sculptures made me think of two people in an eternal waltz. Just like the sculptures of the Man and the Woman, this piece of art also portrayed the abstract beauty of the Art Center. I did not expect them to be that enormous, but they were also very simple, with no facial features or clothes. It was just two entities dancing, and it was hauntingly breathtaking.

 Walking towards the Colorado Convention Center, I received my biggest scare as I came face to face with a giant blue bear. It was peering into the convention center as if it was curious to see what was going on inside. After quick research, I found that it was called “I See What You Mean”. It was erected in 2005 by Lawrence Argent. The bear reached a height of almost 40 feet with a weight of almost 10,000 pounds. The bear was created by Argent to convey the curiosity pedestrians felt when they passed by the Convention Center to see what was going on inside. I felt like Lawrence Argent did a wonderful job conveying the curiosity I, along with probably everyone else, felt as we stood in front of the center. The spotlights shining on the bear from below made it seem like it was glowing from the inside, which was an astounding sight to behold.

We also went to Larimer Street, which I had heard was famous for its street art. I was beyond amazed by the numerous works of art that adorned the streets. Being a person who loved to play with paints, seeing so many bold uses of color filled me with indescribable joy. My most favorite art piece was the double-sided mural called “Two Halves of a Whole” by Jeremy Burns. It was my favorite not only because I was awestruck by how two different perspectives showed us two completely different paintings, nor because it showed us that men and women weren’t different but the same. It was because of the effort and dedication that was put into the art. Jeremy Burns was involved in a terrible accident that severely damaged his right shoulder and elbow. Even after losing fine motor control, he had decided to paint this mural, which had earned him my respect. 

In my country, street art is illegal. That is why I never had the chance to observe artists portray their thoughts and emotions so candidly in public before. After coming to Denver, I had the utmost pleasure to fill my soul with the plethora of murals and sculptures. It was not only the way the paints were used or how the art came to life, but it was also about how each of them had a piece of the artist’s soul in them, and sometimes the voices of numerous people who didn’t have the chance to speak up. It is an honor for me to be able to live in and study in such a vibrant city like Denver, where there’s art and life in everything my eyes land on. I cannot wait to explore more of this beautiful city that I have come to call home. 

Boba Spotlight: Colorado Tea Station

By: Sandra Vo, Staff Writer

Nestled just on the border of Denver’s bustling downtown district, Colorado Tea Station is the first pick for our Boba Spotlight and for obvious reasons. More than just a boba shop, Colorado Tea Station serves everything from takoyaki (Japanese octopus), instant ramen, and bingsu (Korean shaved ice) to mochi donuts and cake slices. Their menu truly lives to serve any type of craving you might have.

Overwhelmed by the sheer variety? Don’t worry! Their staff is always incredibly friendly and helpful, and service is quick even during rush hours. While waiting for your drinks and food, you can admire the Instagram-worthy interior and the zither they have on display in the drinking area. Their Korean music playlist is nothing to sneeze at either. 

Of course, this doesn’t mean that their boba is anything to sleep on. Having been there a couple times now, my experience has been consistently wonderful. The boba is chewy and soft, and you really can’t go wrong with any drink that you decide to pair it with. Colorado Tea Station also offers a variety of different toppings if you’re not particularly fond of the classic tapioca boba. They have a wide selection of jellies to add to your drink including lychee, mocha, and crystal jelly, and anybody feeling more adventurous can try out their taro and sweet potato balls. 

For their drinks, they offer the classic milk teas and fruit teas, but also some non-caffeinated choices for anybody who likes their boba late at night. As a person who prefers non-caffeinated drinks, I’ve gotten their strawberry milk slush and peach yogurt drinks, both topped with boba and incredibly tasty. Not a fan of cold drinks? They also offer a wide selection of hot traditional Chinese brewed teas such as jasmine and rose oolong. 

Their desserts are equally tasty and appetizing. My friends have boasted of their chocolate cakes and mochi donuts. Having tried their mango snow ice myself, I can’t say I’m surprised. Colorado Tea Station strives to only put out the best of the best, and they deliver on that promise. 

For our overall Boba Spotlight rating, this place deserves a 10/10. 

Photo Credit: Sandra Vo, Strawberry Milk Slush with Pudding and Boba

Photo Credit: Sandra Vo, Peach Yogurt Drink with Boba

Himalayan Spice Review

By: Madelynn Loring, Staff Writer

The fact that I ended up in Himalayan Spice Indian Cuisine was a total accident. My sister had just helped me move in for the spring, so we headed down Tennyson Street for brunch at the Denver Biscuit Company. It's a delicious restaurant, but given its promotion on the Food Network’s Diners, Drive-ins, and Dives, everyone knows that. Thus, we chose to dodge the hour-long wait and give the little restaurant two doors over a shot. And I am glad we did. While Denver Biscuit Company may be popular, Himalayan Spice is a hidden gem.

The environment is warm and welcoming, with attentive wait staff and quick service. And the food? I will not go into a discussion about Regis’s cafeteria (that is a dissertation for another time), but I am often left feeling the need for authentically good, well-rounded cooking, and I know that I am not alone in that. The good news is that the solution is just a five-minute drive down Tennyson Street. The menu is packed with different traditional Indian dishes, all bursting with warmth and flavor. The restaurant also boasts a large vegetarian/vegan menu with gluten free options, so it is the perfect destination for groups with a variety of dietary needs. Additionally, they have spice levels indicated on the menu so you don’t find yourself with an under-spiced or inedibly spicy dish given your tastes. They operate on a 1 to 5 spice level: 1 being mild, 2 being medium, 3 being medium-hot, 4 being hot, and 5 being Indian hot. I, as a slightly-but-not-terribly pathetic white person, prefer medium hot for my curry, whereas Vietnamese Staff Writer Sandra Vo prefers hot. 

Regardless of where you’re at, there is a delicious, well-priced option for you at Himalayan Spice. You can choose from a variety of proteins, from lamb to chicken to seafood, to be prepared in many ways, from curry to dahl and sagg to masala. Regardless of what you prefer, there are also a plethora of delicious flavors of naan, a traditional Indian flat bread, to choose from, and you will receive bottomless basmati rice with your meal. The one thing to keep in mind during your visit is that you will spend just as long waiting for the check as you will enjoying your meal. Chances are you could reduce this wait time by flagging down the waiter if you so choose, or (if you are non-confrontational like myself) the time can be well spent digesting your meal over conversations with friends and family. If you are looking to try something new or simply spice up your college diet, Himalayan Spice is the place to go.

Photo by: Sandra Vo, Butter Naan

Photo by: Sandra Vo, Chicken Curry

My Emotional Support Animal Journey

By: Anonymous Writer

There is a song in musical Waitress which starts, “today’s a day like any other, but I am changed, I am a mother…in an instant”; it may seem hokey but that is exactly how I felt on the day that I found Roxy. She was just a little kitten, skinny and scruffy, shivering in an unusually chilly summer Idaho night and purring against my chest. My brother had spotted her as she nearly got hit by a minivan in our small town’s Stinker Station parking lot. I told him to get out, to go to the little nook between the gas station’s brick drive up area and a fence to grab her. We wanted to see if she had a collar and thought that if she did, someone would appreciate us not letting their kitten get hit by a car. He got out of my Dad’s towering charcoal gray truck and ran over to where she was. Roxy, then nameless, bolted under the truck. I got out to help and pulled her out from underneath where she was trying to climb inside the mechanical pieces. She immediately started purring when I held her little body tight to my chest.  

We didn’t plan on keeping Roxy. It was late so my family agreed to keep her for the night before taking her to the shelter the next morning (there is a great local no-kill shelter in town). I thought that would be all, but Roxy had other plans. That night, after playing with my brother and I, she cuddled up to me, purring constantly as she rubbed against my face and hands, so grateful to be in my arms. She ended up falling asleep on my shoulder. That night, I looked over at her tiny sleeping frame and realized that I was responsible for her, that until the day one of us died I would always take care of her. 

That whole summer I had saved up my tip money for a tattoo but my favorite artist was all booked out, so I used the money I had saved to cover Roxy’s food, travel, litter box, and vet bills. She came home with me and quickly she became an essential part of my life. She got me out of bed every morning, sat on the counter while I made and drank my coffee, napped with me, followed me around like a shadow and greeted me when I got home with a bright meow. That relationship prompted my psychiatrist to suggest me having Roxy certified as an emotional support animal. 

Emotional support animals are animals that provide support and comfort to individuals with psychiatric conditions. They are protected under the Fair Housing and Americans with Disabilities Act, meaning that you cannot be denied housing because of your ESA. Unlike service animals, emotional support animals do not go through any intensive training and can be any kind of animal. Since they do not undergo any special training, many people are skeptical of emotional support animals and their impacts. However, to become certified as an emotional support animal, the animal must belong to someone who has a disability and that animal must alleviate the symptoms of that disability. Roxy, despite having no training, can tell when I’m anxious or going through a depressive bout and will often lay on my chest or in my lap during those times. One day she was being especially clingy and I didn’t understand why, but later that night I had a massive anxiety attack. She is intuitive and seems to know when I need her most. 

I did not bring her with me originally since my roommate in the fall semester was deathly allergic to cats. So I decided to try and last the year without her. Fall semester was when I had one of my worst depressive episodes in recent memory, so I called my psychiatrist and worked on the process of moving out and getting Roxy to move in with me on campus. I met with Student Disability Services, and that day they said that once Roxy’s letter was processed she would be approved. I was so grateful for how quickly the process went and how understanding they were of my circumstances. Housing was tricker, but the housing department figured out a way to move me into a new living arrangement where I wouldn’t have to live with any roommate. I submitted my ESA form to housing and was able to move in before the start of spring semester. 

It has been a somewhat unconventional journey and it took a bit of work, but Roxy is worth every dollar I’ve spent on fancy wet food and every moment of effort poured into getting her certified. She is the light of my life and I am so lucky we found her that cold summer night.