by Mark Smiley | Oct 2, 2018 | Glendale City News
Army Takes Top Military Honors, British Army Secures Overall Tournament Victory
by John Arthur
Writer for and on behalf of the City of Glendale
Glendale’s annual RugbyTown Sevens Tournament took place the last weekend of August, and alongside the Bruises and Brews Beer Festival, the event not only drew national and international fans, but for the seventh year running once again proved that Infinity Park is the beating heart of American rugby. Twenty domestic and international rugby teams competed in more than 60 matches over the weekend, each vying for the $10,000 winner take all championship purse. Representative teams from all five branches of the U.S. Military, as well as the British Army and Royal Armoured Corps, competed alongside participating teams from the United States, Canada, Europe, and the Caribbean.
Reaching fans in nearly 60 countries across the globe, this year’s tournament saw a 22% increase in new viewers, as well as a nearly 25% increase in viewer hours — rugby’s meteoric growth in the United States, fueled by events like RugbyTown 7s, shows no signs of slowing. The tournament has historically invited and featured new teams and talent, and 2018 was no exception. Showcasing both new faces and seasoned veterans, the history and world-class facilities at Infinity Park have and will continue to draw teams from far and wide. The Bruises and Brews Beer Festival, which was held over two days for the first time in 2018, celebrates local Colorado brewers and consistently demonstrates the age-old adage: beer and rugby — better together.
Pool play kicked off at 11 a.m. on Friday August 24 and continued well into the evening. In addition to the ultimate winner-take-all tournament purse, U.S. Military teams competed to set the stage for separate Military Championship honors on Sunday. The U.S. Army team ultimately defended their multi-year champion status, having won every year since 2013. The action was hot, humid, and fast-paced. Conditions improved to some extent over the course of the weekend’s play, but every team had to contend with the shining Colorado sun and playing at elevation — a factor that proved difficult for many visiting squads. Competition was noticeably more closely matched on the second day of pool play, with visiting teams likely becomin
GLENDALE, CO – AUGUST 26: U.S. Army vs Denver Rugby 7s Selects during RugbyTown7s at Infinity Park on August 26, 2018 in Glendale, Colorado. (Photo by Seth McConnell)
g more accustomed to fast-paced sevens rugby action at a mile above sea level. Sunday saw the conclusion of the RugbyTown 7s at Infinity Park, the final day of the seventh annual tournament reaching its exciting crescendo.
This year’s tournament was characterized not just by the exceptional play from the domestic and international teams, the cheering fans, and the party atmosphere of the two-day Bruises and Brews Beer Festival, but also by the Colorado weather. High temperatures, unseasonable humidity, and smoky conditions from wildfires in the western U.S. made the fast-paced play even more difficult — not to mention thunderstorms threatening game stoppages. Teams coming from overseas or from lower elevations clearly struggled to acclimate to Glendale’s mile-high elevation and the accompanying reduction in oxygen: the setting of this year’s tournament helped separate winners from losers.
Sunday Wrap Up — Tournament Results
Shield Final — Sacramento Eagles Win Shield Over Washington Athletic Club
The Colorado weather once again proved a factor in the final day of the 2018 RugbyTown 7s Tournament, multiple lightning delays postponing the competition for the RT7s Shield. In spite of the possibility of storms, conditions were cooler to begin the contest, though strong breezes complicated conversion kick attempts. The Sacramento Eagles piled on an early offensive burst that Washington Athletic Club was ultimately unable to match. The Seattle team rallied in the second half of play, but the California side took home the shield with a 24-12 victory.
Paula Buitu of the Eagles had nothing but compliments for the team’s first-time tournament experience: “It was fantastic and well organized. We were proud to participate, especially as a first-year team. We came in battling from the first day, and it’s a great moment for us to be Shield Champions. It’s one we won’t forget.”
Bowl Final —
GLENDALE, CO – AUGUST 26: Washington Athletic Club vs Sacramento Eagles during RugbyTown7s at Infinity Park on August 26, 2018 in Glendale, Colorado. (Photo by Seth McConnell)
Misfits Best Griffins In Bowl Final
The Dark n’ Stormy Misfits took down the Southern California Griffins in a tightly contested match that went to the wire. SoCal made a late effort to overcome the Misfits but were unable to claim the win. The RT7s Bowl will remain in Colorado with a deserving first-year Misfits team.
Plate Final —
U.S. Army Takes Down Denver 7s Selects, Secure RT7s Plate Victory
The U.S. Army battled the local Denver 7s Selects in a close fought and entertaining match for the tournament Plate Title. Army proved too strong for the mile high side, securing a 26-17 win to take the Plate, and adding to an already impressive tournament showing that included a sixth-consecutive U.S. Armed Forces Championship.
Mark Drown, of the U.S. Army 7s side, had high praise for the tournament: “Without question, Rugbytown 7s is the Premier rugby sevens event in North America. The facilities, organization, live stream, and color commentary are all world class,” he said. “The Army’s experience at Glendale has been exceptional. Capturing the Plate was a great culmination for us after a long tournament. We look forward to defending our six consecutive [Armed Forces] championships in the years to come.”
U.S. Army Sergeants Dacoda Worth and Michael Melendez-Rivera, who both play on the Army 7s team, were equally happy with the squad’s tournament experience: “We all know to take nothing for granted,” said Worth. “We all play for each other, and off the pitch we continue to have amazing relationships even though we are all in various locations.” Melendez-Rivera added that RugbyTown is an event the team looks forward to year after year: “It’s an amazing facility with amazing fans. We’re blessed to be able to defend our title and represent our nation. Team member Captain Aaron Retter sums the experience: “Earning our sixth title and the Plate Championship feels absolutely incredible. We play not only for the name on the front of our jersey, but for the flag.”
Third Place —
Collegiate All-Americans Take Third Place Overall In 2018 RugbyTown 7s
Hot on the heels of the contest for the Plate, the Collegiate All-Americans met the Ramblin’ Jesters for the honor of third place in this year’s tournament. With tremendous showings from both teams throughout the weekend, the match was highly anticipated and a crowd favorite as Sunday play wound down. A tight fight saw the young Americans take the third place spot in the 2018 RT7s tournament with a 24-14 win. Breakout stars in this year’s competition, the all Americans overcame the crowd favorite Ramblin’ Jesters to take third place overall.
All-Americans Head Coach Steve Lewis was as impressed as anyone in the stands with his team’s performance: “We made great progress: a great performance by young American players in a field littered with professionals,” he said. “Once again it was a terrific experience for the Collegiate All-Americans and we are grateful indeed to everyone at the City of Glendale for making it possible.”
GLENDALE, CO – AUGUST 26: Collegiate All Americans vs Ramblin Jesters during RugbyTown7s at Infinity Park on August 26, 2018 in Glendale, Colorado. (Photo by Seth McConnell)
Cup Final —
British Army Secures First RugbyTown 7s Cup Victory, Take Home $10,000 Purse – Favored Tiger Rugby Finish Weekend As Runners Up In Hard-Fought Three Days Of Sevens Play
British Army met Tiger Rugby on the Infinity Park pitch on the evening of Sunday August 26 to decide who would earn the 2018 RT7s Championship in the weekend’s final game. Evenly matched, the two squads played a physical first half. Vying for the tournament’s winner-take-all, $10,000 purse, Tiger went into the break with a 5-0 lead over British Army.
Coming off the half-time rest, the hard-hitting action continued. The British Army side dotted down early and converted to give their team a 7-5 lead, but the tough play wasn’t over. In a defensive second-half shootout, the British Army proved their mettle, securing a tight but definitive 7-5 victory. The U.K. team took home not just the five-digit prize purse, but top honors as Cup winners and the overall 2018 RugbyTown 7s Champions.
RugbyTown 7s epitomizes Glendale’s eponymous title: RugbyTown USA. In 2018, the tournament drew talent from near and far, attracting U.S. military teams, college athletes, and rugby players and fans from across the globe. Embracing Colorado’s seemingly insatiable thirst for craft beer, festivities also included the two-day Bruises and Brews Beer Festival.
As in years past, the competition was fierce, the crowds large and fanatic, and the growth of rugby as a mainstream sport in the United States palpable. Champions were crowned, cold mugs downed, and history once again written for rugby sevens in America.
by Mark Smiley | Oct 2, 2018 | General Featured
Well-Established Retirement Community Brings Contemporary New Look To Southeast Denver
by Julie Hayden
Best Meals In Town: The Dining Room at Springbrooke Retirement Community has a brand new decor but the same great dining experience Springbrooke is known for.
Springbrooke Retirement Community, southeast Denver’s well-established retirement community, that’s who!
The multi-million-dollar renovation speaks volumes, as the community’s local owners, Michael Opatowski and Stephen Elken, believe their residents deserve the very best. In addition to quality health care, restaurant style dining, a full calendar of activities and a magnitude of other amenities that their residents enjoy, they know that re-investing in their building is very important. “We’re always striving to be the leader in the senior housing industry, and when I’m in Springbrooke weekly and talk with our residents and hear how happy they are then I know we have done our job,” says owner Michael Opatowski.
Springbrooke Retirement Community is conveniently located in central Denver near Leetsdale and Monaco.
The 142-unit community offers a lifestyle for everyone, including In
Multi-Million Dollar Renovation: Residents and family members at Springbrooke Retirement Community give rave reviews to the all-new look in the main Living Area.
dependent Living, Assisted Living and the newly remodeled Memory Care unit. Springbrooke also offers outpatient Occupational Therapy, Speech Therapy and Physical Therapy onsite.
Residents rave the “facelift” is gorgeous. Each apartment boasts brand new cabinets and lighting and features new granite counter tops and carpet. You notice the new décor as soon as you walk in the door, as the Entry, Living Room and Bistro are also newly remodeled. The Library, Dining Rooms, Fitness Center and Serene Courtyard also have a wonderful new look.
One thing that hasn’t changed is the excellent dining experience. Opatowski and Elken have owned Springbrooke Retirement Community for almost 10 years and their amazing chef, along with other upper level management and staff members have been part of the Springbrooke community from the beginning.
Relaxing And Restful Serene Courtyard: In addition to spectacular mountain views from apartment balconies, Springbrooke Retirement Community offers a beautiful courtyard for all to enjoy.
The delicious meals are just one thing that sets Springbrooke Retirement Community apart.
Residents and family members truly appreciate that Springbrooke is locally owned and operated. The building offers spectacular mountain views and there are balconies off every apartment.
Opatowski adds, “Longevity of our staff is also an anomaly and differentiates us. Our Executive Director, LPN, Activities Director and Culinary Chef have been with us since we opened the doors 10 years ago.”
The owners invite all to stop by Springbrooke Retirement Community. “Sit in on a lecture, have a cup of coffee in our Bistro, enjoy a lunch and spend a quiet moment in our Serene Courtyard. We’re proud of our ‘facelift’ and happy to show it off.”
by Mark Smiley | Oct 2, 2018 | Travel
Pizza Truck: Allegra’s Pizza now operates out of their pizza truck at Odyssey School of Denver at 21st and Monaco and Long Table Brewhouse at 29th and Fairfax. Pickup orders can be placed by calling 303-333-4442 or online at allegraspizza.com.
by Mark Smiley
For the last 10 years, residents of Park Hill and outlying neighborhoods enjoyed ordering pizzas from Allegra’s Pizza which was situated within Oneida Park at 23rd and Oneida in Park Hill. Rick Firmine and Todd Snyder, the current landlords purchased the strip in January 2017 and have been planning new development ever since.
The new development includes a 7,000 square foot outdoor courtyard for kids to play and adults to hang out. Included in this new development will be Little Man Ice Cream and a second location for the popular Virginia Vale restaurant Esters Neighborhood Pub. Paul Sullivan, owner of Esters, indicates that after taking possession this July of the 5,000 square foot property, the former home of a liquor and convenience store, he hopes to open by the end of the year.
When Allegra’s Pizza’s lease was up in April 2018, Firmine and Snyder wanted them to move across the street. Tony Uva, owner of Allegra’s Pizza, wanted to stay in Oneida Park but rather than moving across the street which Uva says was an expensive proposition, Uva suggested taking the vacant store next door to the pizzeria and creating a bistro.
That didn’t fit with the plans so Uva decided to take his show on the road, literally. Allegra’s Pizza closed its doors in Oneida Park on March 30, 2018, and reopened on May 18, 2018, operating out of the pizza truck they have owned the last couple of years. “Essentially what it is, is a kitchen on wheels,” said Uva. They have a permanent location in the parking lot of Odyssey School of Denver at 21st and Monaco where Uva was once a reading volunteer.
“We looked at other locations along Colfax and elsewhere and rent for 1,200 square foot of space was going for $5,000 a month,” said Uva. “We are paying the Denver Public Schools $25 per hour.”
New Plans: Oneida Park, former home of Allegra’s Pizza, is preparing for major renovations including a 7,000 square foot park set to open in 2018.
Tony and his wife Christine remain optimistic that the existing customer base will remain. The truck has the capacity to bake twelve 16” pizzas at any given time, and their two employees (down from 11) will keep the pies baking. Allegra’s Neapolitan Pizza operates the truck on Thursdays at Long Table Brewhouse at 2895 Fairfax Street in Park Hill and Fridays at Odyssey School. They open at 5 p.m. on both nights and at both locations.
Due to the confined area of the kitchen in the truck, Allegra’s will only be able to fill pickup orders. Orders can be placed by calling 303-333-4442 or online at allegraspizza.com.
by Mark Smiley | Oct 2, 2018 | Editorials
The inaugural Grandoozy music festival had a reported attendance of 55,000 over the extended weekend.
The inaugural Grandoozy Music Festival was held over the extended weekend of September 14-16, 2018, at the Overland Golf Course off of Santa Fe Drive in southwest Denver. Why at Overland Park Golf Course? At first it would seem a strange choice. With virtually no on-site parking the golf course site is stuck between the extremely busy Santa Fe Drive on one side and a raft of homes on the other. The lack of on-site parking necessitated free shuttles from far away parking lots with the vain hope people would hike in from the nearest, not so convenient light rail station.
As part of the June 2017 presentation for City Council approval of the event on public land a bullet point was the that the organizer, Superfly Productions, negotiate with RTD to include public transportation as part of the $270 event ticket. But Superfly Productions apparently was uninterested in paying anyone for anything. RTD offered additional cars for the extended weekend and requested from Superfly $72,000 to cover the additional service, security and personal costs and when Superfly said no RTD dropped it down to $33,000. But the production company was still uninterested, and no additional service was added for the event for public convenience.
Stevie Wonder performed during the final night of the 2018 Grandoozy music festival.
The RTD kerfuffle was emblematic of why Superfly was at Overland Park Golf Course in the first place and not at the many different existing concert venues in the area such as Fiddler’s Green, Mile High Stadium or Red Rocks. Superfly had come to Denver to take every last penny it could beg, borrow or steal from the community. The existing venues cost real money while Overland Park Golf Course is on public land and could be obtained for a fraction of the cost. The City and County of Denver under Michael Hancock is trying to get rid of, or alternatively monetize, every possible inch of open space under its control.
Superfly could get everything it wanted for a relative song from the mayor’s office and the always compliant Denver City Council. In turn, the production company brought in a hodgepodge lineup which was far skimpier than almost any other marque event it holds. Headliners being Stevie Wonder, Kendrick Lamar and Florence + the Machine, all of which have performed in Denver before. The gaps were filled with numerous local acts Superfly could get to perform at the Festival on the cheap.
The Denver golf community and the Overland Park neighborhood vociferously opposed the event which has partially destroyed the oldest golf course west of the Mississippi. But as one insider noted: “Those groups are composed of old white people who the city is hoping to drive out as fast as possible. No one is going to pay any attention to them.” She was right. The City Council blew right past them with hardly an acknowledgment at the June 17 meeting.
So how was the three-day festival? Depends on who you ask. For the neighbors and the golfers it was a disaster, but that was expected from them. For many festival concertgoers the event was okay, but lacked the big names they had expected. They are hoping in future years Superfly will spend the money it takes to bring them better lineups. Don’t count on it.
But for Superfly Productions, Stevie Wonder’s greatest hit “Isn’t She Lovely,” best summed up the event. They made a killing. Good crowds at top dollar prices and very low overhead. Nineteenth century con man Soapy Smith found that Denver was a perfect place to pull off his many scams with a rube seeming to be waiting on every street corner. In Michael Hancock’s Denver not much has changed. If you are unscrupulous enough and have access to the powers that be in Denver government, there are fortunes to be made in the Queen City on the Plains.
by Mark Smiley | Aug 24, 2018 | General Featured
(BPT) – Dreaming of an Italian vacation? You can experience the country’s stunning, ancient and romantic regions without even leaving home. The wines of Italy embody the heart and soul of the country itself, being a part of the land, the air and the water of the regions in which they’re grown.
Letting the vineyards be your guide, you’ll travel from the Tuscan coast to the Adriatic’s long, sandy beaches, to the black and rich slopes of an active volcano. You’ll marvel at Sicily’s crystal blue waters and be awed by Campania’s storied past. You can even learn about some dedicated winemakers along the way.
Invite your friends for a backyard wine tasting on a balmy evening, open up these Italian whites, and enjoy their not-commonly-known varieties accompanied by light, Italian fare. Buon viaggio!
Ca’Marcanda Vistamare: The playful name of this wine, which means “sea view,” was inspired by the Tyrrhenian sea breeze, the sun and the cheerful, lighthearted outlook of the Tuscan coast. Coastal innkeepers would use “vistamare” to entice hotel guests, even if their rooms only offered a limited view of the Mediterranean. The vineyards used for Vistamare actually enjoy a panoramic view of the Tuscan horizon, and their grapes are gently touched by the salt air and brilliant colors of the Tuscan sea.
Vistamare is fresh and light on the palate, with notes of bergamot, pear and nectarine. Then it shifts toward a more mineral and spicy character, with notes of flint, rosemary and saffron. The wine gets riper in the finish with hints of mango.
Terlato Vineyards Colli Orientali del Friuli Friulano: Travel to Northern Italy’s Friuli region, where mountains overlook the Adriatic Sea, its coastline dotted with lagoons and long sandy beaches. Friulano is the predominant wine here because of the ideal growing conditions for this indigenous varietal. This Friulano comes from very old vines located on Estate vineyards at 1,050 feet above sea level, with cool nights and warm days, ideal for producing wines with excellent acidity and elegance.
Attention to detail gives the wine floral aromas with distinct pear and almond notes, and a creamy, full-bodied texture.
Anselmi San Vincenzo: Grown in the Monteforte area within the Veneto region of Northern Italy, San Vincenzo vines are planted on 110 acres of volcanic tuff and limestone. Veneto is encircled by Lake Garda, the Dolomite Mountains and the Adriatic Sea. Imagine floating down the Grand Canal in Venice, and seeing Juliet’s balcony in Verona before finding a cafe where you can sip this delicious wine of the region.
San Vincenzo is medium bodied and fruit forward, with a clean, dry finish and scents of minerals, lemon, lime and melon.
Alta Mora Etna Bianco: Travel south to Sicily, the largest island in the Mediterranean Sea, where these grapes are grown and harvested on the slopes of the active volcano, Mount Etna. The soil is black, fertile and dynamic, and the name Alta Mora translates to “tall, black,” representing the great heights of the vineyards on the mountain and the dark, black volcanic soil.
This wine is a slight nod to Sauvignon Blanc in style. It’s fresh and fruity, with great minerality, and a classic match for seafood dishes. It’s easy to imagine sipping it while gazing out onto the Mediterranean’s crystal blue waters.
Feudi di San Gregorio Falanghina: This vineyard is in Sorbo Serpico, a tiny village in Campania’s Irpinia region, near Mount Vesuvius. The area, with its numerous castles and fortresses, has ancient roots, and has been a transit land between the Tyrrhenian and Adriatic seas. Named after the method of vine cultivation in Sannio at the end of the Roman Era called Falangs (“poles”), this Falanghina is ideal as an aperitif. It can also accompany various types of appetizers, plates of simple fish and vegetables as well as fresh cheeses.
Floral notes like white blossoms and delicate apple and pear float through the air as you sip this medium intensity wine, which is crisp with hints of spice, light almond and a slightly bitter orange peel character.
Let these wines bring the beauty of Italy to your table tonight. Cincin!
by Mark Smiley | Aug 24, 2018 | Glendale City News
Glendale Team Will Be Bigger And Better Starting This Fall
by John Arthur
Writer for and on behalf of the City of Glendale
Glendale Raptors Head Coach David Williams, right, answers questions in a post match interview with Nate Kreckman, left, up in the VIP Raptors Club after a Major League Rugby victory at Infinity Park. (Photo by Seth McConnell)
Following a statistically impressive but ultimately disappointing conclusion to their inaugural Major League Rugby debut season, the Glendale Raptors have all hands on deck for 2019. As an exhibition schedule and official preseason loom ever nearer, Raptors Head Coach David Williams explains how hard his side is working to make sure the MLR Championship Shield comes to Glendale next year.
After a short July break, the Raptors are back to regular season training levels. With a focus on what Williams puts simply as “building bigger, better, more powerful bodies,” the squad is hitting the gym five days a week. Off-season preparation is focused on individual development, skills improvement, and patterns. With a reasonable timeframe to get into shape before league play starts, the Raptors should be able to integrate new talent onto the squad and prepare the players being called up to the USA Eagles side for the national team’s four-game November tour.
Long characterized by veteran players, the Raptors are not short on opportunities to recruit new talent. Infinity Park hosted a camp for the Collegiate All-Americans in mid-August, an event that saw nearly one hundred of the best college-level rugby players in the country come to compete. Split divisionally, East and West, the group was pared to the top selections, later playing against the Raptors MLR side. Glendale Head Coach Williams explains that the camp is a recruitment tool: “It doesn’t just give us a shot at early pre-season play, it also allows our coaching staff and the rest of the MLR coaches a chance to see the next generation of talent in action.” Outside of U.S. potentials, international signings within the league point to the talent that MLR is attracting, and add further value and legitimacy to American professional rugby.
Asked about signings to look for in the off-season, Williams, who is notoriously tight-lipped about both players he’s courting and game day strategy, was reluctant to divulge specifics, but said with a laugh that more than half of his job as Raptors Head Coach is recruitment. “I’m looking all the time. Seeing which players are off contract, speaking to agents, keeping connections around the world. We are always building our squad to be bigger and better for next year. A lot of players contact us. This is an environment where they can improve and prosper and they understand that.”
Camps and relationships are an important aspect of making sure Williams is able to continue to attract fresh faces, but Glendale has another leg up on most of the competition: the Raptors Academy. A European-style feeder system for young players to mature for professional or divisional play, the Academy has already produced one impressive MLR player: the Raptors’ break out player Mika Kruse. Entering professional play at 19 years of age, Kruse was a regular on highlight reels throughout the inaugural season. Williams has nothing but praise for the young player: “He is definitely someone fans need to look for next year. He is a rising star in U.S. Rugby without a shadow of a doubt. How he plays, how he prepares, how he trains, his skills: it’s awesome. Simple as that. He’s only going to grow.” Asked about the evolving Academy programming, Williams is reflective: “It’s an interesting proposition,” he said. “The Academy is a long-term solution for supplying the Raptors with ongoing talent. We always want to build a bigger player base. The Academy does that and provides an opportunity for players to train professionally and develop their game. We’re one of the few clubs that have an Academy program and is developing these younger players.”
Outside of developing new players, the Raptors are, of course, training their exceptionally talented existing squad. Back on a regular season training regimen, the team is exploring nutrition and mental conditioning in addition to their rigorous physical preparation. With a full time mental skills coach, and continued education on nutrition, Glendale is building what promises to be a 2019 powerhouse. Williams says that education is key to making his team the best next season: “The boys do a huge amount of work in the gym and on the pitch, but there’s more to the game. The more education on prep and recovery we have, the better players we have at the end of the day.”
Glendale remains an MLR favorite going into 2019. Rugby-specific facilities and top-tier talent set the team apart from the crowd, but the Raptors have something to prove in their second professional season. Statistics won’t cut it this year for Williams, or for the rest of the squad: they want to bring home the big win. Though the inaugural season is just behind them, preparations are underway for the team to leave their stamp on Major League Rugby, beginning with fall exhibitions. As Williams succinctly puts it: “The standard has to improve year on year. That will happen in 2019.”
19 year-old Mika Kruse of the Glendale Raptors evades a Utah Warrior tackler
as he makes his mark on the inaugural season of Major League Rugby.
Photos by Seth McConnell
