With every New Year comes a clean slate so the question becomes what do we do with this fresh start? Everyone from poet-singer Maya Angelou and Oprah Winfrey to Winston Churchill have offered words of inspiration. Even William Shakespeare motivates us to focus on all the positive opportunities that a New Year will bring.
T. S. Eliot, the Nobel Prize poet and editor-publisher, said it best: “Last year’s words belong to last year’s language and next year’s words await another year.”
Here are our choices for shopping, dining and entertainment to help you approach this New Year with resolve to find the opportunities hidden in each new day:
3 Don’t hesitate, Escape to Margaritaville playing at the Buell Theatre through Jan. 5. The musical comedy features the original songs and the most-loved Jimmy Buffett classics. Information: 303-893-4100.
3 Untangle the beauty and mystery of the New Year at Denver Botanic Garden’s Orchid Showcase Jan. 9-Feb. 16. Information: 720-865-3500.
3 Kickstart the New Year by kicking up your heels at the annual National Western Stock Show & Rodeo Jan. 11-26. Information: 303-296-6977.
3 Blast into the year to the lights, sound, smoke and screaming fans at Hairball playing at the Paramount Jan. 18. Information: 303-623-0106.
3 Get the New Year off to a roaring start by building a banking relationship at Sunflower Bank. Attention and financial guidance have made them the largest Denver headquartered bank. Information: 303-297-0333.
3 This is the year for youngsters to get their Rugby On. Glendale’s Youth Rugby programs invite all players to develop rugby skills while also practicing teamwork and sportsmanship. Information: 303-639-4713.
3 For a Black & Bluegrass blast join Temple Emanuel in honoring Rabbi Joe Black’s 10 years Jan. 25, 7:30 p.m. Information: 303-388-4013.
3 Dance into the year at Neverland as Colorado Ballet presents Peter Pan at the Ellie Jan. 31-Feb.9. Information: 303-837-8888.
3 Dig into the New Year by getting a free tree application from Denver Digs Trees through Feb. 14. The nonprofit offers 10 tree varieties free and/or at reduced cost for planting on private property and the public right-of-way. The tree distribution and sale is on April 23. To complete an application or get more information, including tree varieties, visit TheParkPeople.org. or call 303-722-6262 for a free paper application.
January is the kickstart month of the year and home to Capricorn and Aquarius zodiac signs. Because it is the first month of the year it sets the tone for the remaining 11 months. It always seems to us that there’s a freedom that comes with January. It is positively a month for passion while also reminding us of the value of nostalgia.
As we enter the roaring ’20s, whether it will turn out to be the razzle-dazzle year many are predicting will depend a great deal on what each of us brings to the New Year.
There’s debate about when the old decade ends. Some say this decade ended Dec. 31, 2019, and the new one started Jan. 1, 2020. Others say the new decade doesn’t start until Jan, 1, 2021; the old one ends on Dec. 31, 2020. What we know for sure is a New Year’s resolution is something that goes in one year and out the other.
— Glen Richardson
The Valley Gadfly can be reached at newspaper@glendalecherrycreek.com.