2011 was an okay - good year in Denton. Below are 11 things that were important in some way, shape or form to the town. We're sure to be missing a few. Add what things you thought were important in the comments.
1. Denton was overrun by breakfast cafes.
2011 was the year local business tried to give Old West a run for it’s money. First, the biscuit-heavy Loco Cafe opened on Congress about mid-year and then the partially-vegan Seven Mile Cafe (which we apparently need to try again) followed shortly after. In addition, what was originally a day and night affair, Denton Square Donuts, recently changed their hours to breakfast and lunch only (with the exception of Friday nights), as well. Where will you be eating your brunch, Denton? Are there enough people in town to support this many local am eateries?
2. A-Train
While the powers-that-be continued to push for the widening of 35E, DCTA unleashed the A-Train and Denton took notice. While it might have hit a few cars while traveling (and a person), it still enables Dentonites to hop over to larger D while reading the latest Haruki Murakami book. In addition, it brought our local biz a few o’ them fancy Dallas folk with all their spending money.
3. New UNT Football Stadium
UNT/Apogee a dot on the Denton skyline next to the TWU towers and Morrison's Corn Kits this year when they finished building their new stadium. While it was heavily maligned during much of it’s conception, we haven’t heard much complaining since. The addition of the three eco-friendly wind turbines next door also helps.
4. Kevin Roden elected
Longtime drinker and thinker, Kevin Roden, was elected to city council to serve in district 1 this year. Roden has already shaken things up quite a bit in his short time in office and seems to be a much needed catalyst to getting things done in Denton.
5. Eli Gemini moved away
A longtime friend of We Denton Do It, Eli Gemini, moved from Denton to Hollywood, CA this year. After his brief stint as host of Eli’s Monday Minute, he ran once more for city council, directed a short film on gay culture at UNT and then promptly moved to California. He will be missed.
6. Mellow Mushroom/Love Shack opened on square
Love ‘em or hate ‘em, a few slightly less-than-local businesses continued to open on the square this year. And while the fact that Mellow Mushroom spent $800,000 revitatlizing their location is an argument being used against food carts in Denton, it did warm our hearts to see the pizzeria man a booth on the square during the tree lighting. We’ll take Crooked Crust over any other pizza in town, though.
7. TWU Land Acquisition
Sometimes TWU buys and demolishes houses over by Austin St. to, “eliminate possible criminal activity.” Um...okay. In all fairness, they also say that the spaces left by the demolished homes will be used for future expansion. Kevin Roden pushed for some of the homes to be preserved, but it appears that TWU is still at it.
8. Gas wells
Remember that earthquake we felt a few weeks ago, many point to the many gas rigs surrounding (and inside of) Denton as the cause. Aside from earthquakes, air and water quality are also issues of concern that went mostly unattended this year.
9. 35 Denton’s Continued Growth
35 Denton had a banner year last year with Big Boi and many other high-profile artists. Closing down a portion of Hickory St. also showed that the city now seems to have an interest in throwing the yearly festival a bone every now and then.
10. Bike Friendlier
With the addition of sharrows, bike racks and more bike lanes not only around UNT, but Denton in general, 2011 was a stellar year for those atop two wheels.
11. National attention for larger music groups
While 2011 might have been slightly quieter on the music front than normal during 2011, Denton did have a fair share of local acts getting national attention. Seryn and Sarah Jaffe received much national attention (yes, even from media outlets other than Paste).
2011 was the year local business tried to give Old West a run for it’s money. First, the biscuit-heavy Loco Cafe opened on Congress about mid-year and then the partially-vegan Seven Mile Cafe (which we apparently need to try again) followed shortly after. In addition, what was originally a day and night affair, Denton Square Donuts, recently changed their hours to breakfast and lunch only (with the exception of Friday nights), as well. Where will you be eating your brunch, Denton? Are there enough people in town to support this many local am eateries?
2. A-Train
While the powers-that-be continued to push for the widening of 35E, DCTA unleashed the A-Train and Denton took notice. While it might have hit a few cars while traveling (and a person), it still enables Dentonites to hop over to larger D while reading the latest Haruki Murakami book. In addition, it brought our local biz a few o’ them fancy Dallas folk with all their spending money.
3. New UNT Football Stadium
UNT/Apogee a dot on the Denton skyline next to the TWU towers and Morrison's Corn Kits this year when they finished building their new stadium. While it was heavily maligned during much of it’s conception, we haven’t heard much complaining since. The addition of the three eco-friendly wind turbines next door also helps.
4. Kevin Roden elected
Longtime drinker and thinker, Kevin Roden, was elected to city council to serve in district 1 this year. Roden has already shaken things up quite a bit in his short time in office and seems to be a much needed catalyst to getting things done in Denton.
5. Eli Gemini moved away
A longtime friend of We Denton Do It, Eli Gemini, moved from Denton to Hollywood, CA this year. After his brief stint as host of Eli’s Monday Minute, he ran once more for city council, directed a short film on gay culture at UNT and then promptly moved to California. He will be missed.
6. Mellow Mushroom/Love Shack opened on square
Love ‘em or hate ‘em, a few slightly less-than-local businesses continued to open on the square this year. And while the fact that Mellow Mushroom spent $800,000 revitatlizing their location is an argument being used against food carts in Denton, it did warm our hearts to see the pizzeria man a booth on the square during the tree lighting. We’ll take Crooked Crust over any other pizza in town, though.
7. TWU Land Acquisition
Sometimes TWU buys and demolishes houses over by Austin St. to, “eliminate possible criminal activity.” Um...okay. In all fairness, they also say that the spaces left by the demolished homes will be used for future expansion. Kevin Roden pushed for some of the homes to be preserved, but it appears that TWU is still at it.
8. Gas wells
Remember that earthquake we felt a few weeks ago, many point to the many gas rigs surrounding (and inside of) Denton as the cause. Aside from earthquakes, air and water quality are also issues of concern that went mostly unattended this year.
9. 35 Denton’s Continued Growth
35 Denton had a banner year last year with Big Boi and many other high-profile artists. Closing down a portion of Hickory St. also showed that the city now seems to have an interest in throwing the yearly festival a bone every now and then.
10. Bike Friendlier
With the addition of sharrows, bike racks and more bike lanes not only around UNT, but Denton in general, 2011 was a stellar year for those atop two wheels.
11. National attention for larger music groups
While 2011 might have been slightly quieter on the music front than normal during 2011, Denton did have a fair share of local acts getting national attention. Seryn and Sarah Jaffe received much national attention (yes, even from media outlets other than Paste).
What are we missing here? Tell us in the comments!