Today, December 22, 2011, we have a storm of epic proportions. It’s white, it’s slippery, and the skier/snowboarders are in hog heaven. However, the rest of us Denver natives, probably not so much.  Snow measured 5 to 10 inches overnight in some areas of Denver. North Denver up to Boulder got some snow up to 11 inches.  Snow and blowing snow will continue through most of the day.  Total snowfall for most of the Denver will be 8-14 inches with up to 16 inches in the foothills. The snow is supposed to stop completely by this evening and then turn to ice because the temperatures are possibly going to be around the teens and lower 20′s. There is even a possibility of the temperature getting as cold as 0 or -2. So bundle up, break out the hot chocolate, and stay off the roads for safety. This winter wonderland will hopefully turn less white by Christmas.

Each holiday season is filled with ways to feel grateful and to give back to those in the community that are less fortunate. With the last weeks of the holiday season upon us, here are some excellent ways to give back to your community just in the nick of time locally and beyond. Find links to the top charities this season and find out how to give back.

–Feeding the hungry.

Feeding America

–Providing Holiday Meals.

Meals on Wheels

–Literacy.

United Through Reading

–Disabled veterans.

Fisher House Foundation

–Ending Homelessness.

Denver’s Road Home

–Give Blood!

Bonfil’s Blood Center

–Food for the Rocky Mountain Region

Food Bank of the Rockies

Can the rumors be true? Is Denver climbing its way to the top of beer cities in the nation??

Colorado has always been one of the most (if not THE most) important beer states in the United States. Not only are we home to the Great American Beer Festival, but there are 130 breweries as of November of 2011, and at least twelve more in the making (according to the Colorado Brewers Guild).

Let’s be honest, we all know Colorado is great. However, within this dear state of ours, the capitol has always been slightly overshadowed in beer craft making by our hip neighbor, Boulder.

Well, watch out Boulder, Denver has been realizing its potential lately! In just this past year, the capitol has come up with four new breweries, making the grand total to be fourteen, in comparison to the eleven that are currently in Boulder. Seven more are expected to pop up in the next year. Not only has the number of breweries increased in Denver, but the quality is sky rocketing as well. Many of the breweries are realizing the importance of craft beers, especially Colorado-brewed beers, and have been catering to the market (Check out WestWord’s view).

Whether it’s because of new breweries, or changes to existing ones, Denver’s unique breweries and enticing beer atmosphere are in for the long haul. You can’t go wrong in either of the awesome Front Range cities of Denver and Boulder (well you can’t go wrong in most cities of Colorado…), but Denver may just be a top competitor for best beer city of the nation.

Here is a list of Denver breweries for you to try:

Strange Brewing Company

Blue Moon Brewery at The Sandlot

Breckenridge Brewery

Bull & Bush Pub and Brewery

Great Divide Brewing Co

Rock Bottom Brewery

Wynkoop Brewing Company

Del Norte Brewing Co

Denver Beer Co

Renegade Brewing Company

Wit’s End Brewing Company

Caution Brewing Co

Flying Dog

Copper Kettle Brewing Company

‘Tis the season for lavish holiday parties and fun with the family around Denver. Our community celebrates the holiday’s in a big way, always. Here are our top picks for what you should check out this season.

The Denver ChristKindl Market: Denver and Colorado has a long history of German ancestry. This German market is a great way to get out in the Downtown Denver neighborhood, connect with the community and heritage of Denver and pick ups some holiday gifts along the way. See their schedule for more information.

Holiday Charity Events: What’s a holiday without a Christmas Holiday Sweater Party? Not much off a holiday if you ask us. The “Breathe-In” Toy Drive knows better than to skip the sweaters. Benefiting The Children’s Hospital Colorado Breathing Institute, Maserlink’s will put on that outrageous Christmas sweater only your grandma would appreciate and brighten the holidays for those in need on December 10th at Blake Street Tavern. Make a difference! Donation: Please bring a toy or game (they really like games) to donate to Children’s Hospital.  It is not necessary to bring a game or a toy to get in the door, it’s just an awesome thing to do.

Zoo Lights! A Denver Favorite for kids of all ages, Zoo Lights begins December 9 and goes through January 1, 2012 this year. See where wildlife meets wild lights!

Holiday Ballet: Enjoy the classic holiday ballet that continues to inspire us all year after year. Check out The Nutcracker from the Colorado Ballet.  From the glittering snowflakes to the shimmering sugarplums to Mother Ginger and her candy-studded bonnet, The Nutcracker features unforgettable characters and dazzling costumes and scenery. Classic choreography paired with Tchaikovsky’s extraordinary arrangement performed by the Colorado Ballet Orchestra, is bound to complement the magic of any family’s holiday traditions.

Skyline Park is a great place to be this holiday season! The rink will be open daily from November 25, 2011 through February 14, 2012. Skate rental is $2 – or bring your own pair and skate for FREE! Free days for kids will take place throughout the season. Look for regularly scheduled entertainment and activities each week including:

• Friday night: DJ’s
• Saturday morning: Learn to Skate
• Saturday night: live music
• Sunday afternoon: family entertainment

This month brings snow, trees, ornaments, and theater. Our fair city provides several productions that encompass the spirit of the holiday season. Whether it be classic holiday tales or Christmas satire, Denver provides a little entertainment for everyone.

A Christmas Twist

The Firehouse Theater Company wants you to laugh at Christmas. This is satirical mix of the classics : Oliver Twist, A Christmas Carol, and A Christmas Twist. So expect to see a band of young hooligans, the ghost of Christmas Past, a Scrooge, and basically anything and everything that makes fun of Christmas. This production runs from December 16-17 at 9:30 PM. It’s also only 20 bucks. It is worth it for a good laugh.

The Nutcracker

The traditional of the traditional holiday production The Nutcracker will be performed by the Colorado Ballet this December. Clara’s adventure through the Land of Sweets will entice even the most reluctant of ballet goers. Located at the Ellie Caulkins Opera House, the production runs through December 24 and has various times throughout these weeks. The tickets cost anywhere from $20-$140 for the up close and personal seats.

Irving Berlin’s White Christmas

Lone Tree Arts Center presents a story about a singing and dancing troupe made up of army recruits. Strange, a little. Their goal is to make their Commanding General’s Christmas merry and bright. If someone sees this they must tell us how it is, it seems too good to pass up. Production runs December 13-23, tickets are $45-$65.

Festival Playhouse presents The Man Who Rented Christmas

Festival Playhouse gives “We Rent Anything” a whole new meaning. A Man on a mission to rent Christmas complete with wife and five children. It is a cute tale about a man that wants to change his life. Of course at the end there is a chorus who sings Christmas songs and the Man in Red makes an appearance. It has more Christmas spirit stuffed into one evening than Christmas itself. In December tickets cost anywhere from $14-$16.