


PAW Patrol Live! “The Great Pirate Adventure” is Coming to Denver
The Show Runs From December 14-17, 2023 At The Bellco Theatre
By Mark Smiley
PAW Patrol Live! “The Great Pirate Adventure,” a Nickelodeon and VStar Entertainment Group production comes to Denver on December 14 at the Bellco Theatre.” This action-packed, music-filled production is based on the top-rated animated preschool series PAW Patrol, produced by Spin Master Entertainment and airing on Nickelodeon.
Guests will see Ryder and his team of pups embark on a pirate-themed adventure to uncover hidden treasures. This live touring stage performance is fun for the entire family. “We recommend ages two to six to enjoy the show,” said Jenna Barricklo, PAW Patrol Live! “The Great Pirate Adventure.” “However it’s a really good family experience and a good opportunity to introduce kids to the theater for the first time. It’s fun for all ages no matter what.”
In PAW Patrol Live! “The Great Pirate Adventure,” Mayor Goodway is getting everything shipshape for a big Pirate Day celebration in Adventure Bay. When Cap’n Turbot falls into a dark and mysterious cavern, it’s PAW Patrol to the rescue! Chase, Marshall, Rubble, Skye, Rocky and Zuma save Cap’n Turbot and discover a secret pirate treasure map that leads them on an epic adventure. Things get ruff when Mayor Humdinger wants to find the treasure first for Foggy Bottom. The pups need all paws on deck for this pirate adventure, including help from the newest pup who’s all ears…Tracker! Using their heroic rescue skills, problem solving and teamwork, the pups set sail to save the day. No job is too big, no pirate pup is too small!
“It’s a really interactive experience,” said Barricklo. “We encourage the kids to be up and out of their seats. It’s not a traditional theater seating where you are sitting quietly. There is a lot of opportunity for them to interact with the characters and help them solve clues and puzzles. We want them dancing and interacting with the show.”
PAW Patrol Live! “The Great Pirate Adventure is the perfect way for families to create lifelong memories and provides kids the opportunity to experience in-person theater. Since its debut in the Fall of 2016, PAW Patrol Live! has been seen by over 4.3 million people, providing fans in over 40 countries with an unforgettable Broadway-style production. The performance is an interactive live stage show, encouraging audiences to learn pirate catchphrases, dance the pirate boogie and help the pups follow the treasure map and solve picture puzzles throughout their mission.
You do not need to be familiar with the show according to Barricklo. “There are familiar characters the kids will know but it’s a brand-new plot,” said Barricklo. “We introduce all the characters so the audience does not need to be familiar with the show to enjoy the stage version.”
Tickets for all seven performances start at $45 and can be purchased at pawpatrollive.com or AXS.com and by phone at 888-9-AXS-TIX. Ticket prices are inclusive of a $4 facility fee. Prices are subject to change. Additional fees and special offers may apply.
V.I.P: A limited number of V.I.P. (Very Important Pup) packages are available, starting at $115. The VIP package includes a premium seat and exclusive photo opportunity with PAW Patrol characters after the show. Each adult & child (age 1 & up) in a group must have a VIP ticket.
The December 14 and 15 showtimes are 6 p.m. and Saturday, December 16 will have three shows, 10 a.m., 2 p.m., and 6 p.m. Sunday’s shows are at 11 a.m. and 3 p.m. The Bellco Theatre is located at 1100 Stout St. in Denver.
January 2024 Letters to the Editor
Click Below for the January 2024 Letters to the Editor in response to the guest editorial by Khury Petersen-Smith entitled The Roots of Black-Palestinian Solidarity

New Pickleball Courts Now Open In Glendale
by Mark Smiley

From left to right: Storm Gloor, Glendale Mayor Pro-Tem; Mike Dunafon, Glendale Mayor; Joe Haskins, Glendale Chief of Police; and Josh Bertrand, Glendale Deputy City Manager.

From left to right: Mayor Pro-Tem Storm Gloor; Mayor Mike Dunafon; Chuck Line, Glendale City Manager; Josh Bertrand, Glendale Deputy City Manager; and Jeff Allen, Glendale Chamber COO, cut the pickle to officially open the new outdoor pickleball courts in Glendale.
On October 24, 2023, the City of Glendale unveiled its new pickleball courts at the new Glendale Park, formerly known as Mir Park. With the recent closing of the outdoor courts at Eisenhower Park and Congress Park in Denver, the metro area was in need of another option for outdoor pickleball.
Under the Leadership of Mayor Mike Dunafon and the Glendale City Council, the City of Glendale has partnered with Arapahoe County Open Space Grant Program in 2023 to create the Glendale Park Phase One park improvements and usher in a new era of recreation in Glendale.
While the newly dedicated pickleball courts may be the main attraction, there are several important additional improvements which park patrons will appreciate. Working with Chief Joe Haskins and City of Glendale Police Department, the City applied principles of Crime Prevention Through Environmental Design to make improvements in the park. These park safety improvements include new site lighting and new “Portlandloo’s” stand-alone toilets which address common public bathroom concerns.
Also, a new picnic pavilion will be available to grab a bite to eat while watching the light-hearted activities on either the pickleball court or on the playground. Going forward, Ken LeCrone, Finance Director for the City of Glendale, has secured an open space grant from Arapahoe County for Phase Two improvements in 2024.
The Phase Two improvements will include improvements to stormwater drainage and the addition of a new dog run to the north side of the park,” said Josh Bertrand, Deputy City Manager, City of Glendale. “Patrick Carroll, Chris Roozing, and the Public Works team will continue working with our valuable partners, Matt Wilgenbusch with EmDub Designs, and ECI Site Construction Management, to complete phase two of the project.”
The work is expected to be completed by the end of Summer 2024. Glendale Park is located at 560 S. Elm Street in Glendale. Visit www.glendale.co.us for more information.

Heybike Cityrun: An Electric Bike To Consider
by Mark Smiley

Solid Ebike: The Heybike Cityrun is an ebike to consider if in the market for one. It is powerful, comfortable, and reliable.
Electric bikes have grown in popularity over the last couple of years. To meet the demand and to try to reduce the amount of vehicles on the road, the city of Denver launched a rebate program in April 2022. It has issued over 7,000 vouchers totaling $6.5 million since then and more on the way.
According to a survey conducted by the city of Denver’s Office of Climate Action, Sustainability, and Resiliency, cyclists are replacing 3.4 vehicle trips every week with electric bike trips, which according to the office, totals 150,000 vehicle miles per week.
The vouchers are good for 60 days and can be presented at participating ebike dealers for an immediate rebate at the register. Most are good for $300 toward the purchase for a regular ebike, and $500 toward the purchase of a cargo ebike. Lower income qualified candidates may be eligible for as much as $1,200.
There are many options to consider and most good options are all over $1,000. The Heybike City Run is one to consider as it fits the bill for what most people are looking for. It retails for $1,299 at the time of press and can be purchased using a voucher at Boost Ebikes at 2344 S. Broadway in Denver.
The Heybike City Run takes some time to assemble as most ebikes do, approximately 30-45 minutes. Once assembled, the learning curve is minimal. Most riders can easily fit comfortably as it has a load capacity of 350 pounds. The technology syncs with both android and IOS users with its own app. The smartphone app lets you customize and update the bike, control whether it’s locked, and track your rides. It is not meant to be anti-theft, but it does make it more difficult to steal if it turns off if the Bluetooth is not connected.

Comfortable: The Heybike Cityrun’s seat is comfortable for any user. The step through design also makes it easy to get on and off.
The 500W motor and 48V 15Ah battery make it more than suitable for long rides. In fact, you should be able to travel between 55 and 65 miles on a charge. This bike has the capability of going 21 mph depending on weight and throttle.
Heybike just launched a new commuter bike, called the Horizon. The Horizon is very similar to the City Run with a few differences. The Cityrun cannot be folded, while Horizon can be folded. Compared with battery installation, Cityrun’s battery is installed at the bottom of the frame, while Horizon’s battery is installed at the top of the frame. The minimum height of Horizon riders is higher than that of Cityrun, and the motor on Horizon is more powerful than Cityrun, Horizon is 750W and Cityrun is 500W.
The Cityrun is a bike that gets good reviews from trusted sources and as mentioned before, should fit what most people are looking for in an ebike. It’s an affordable, comfortable, and powerful ride that gets going quickly when stopped and can handle long distance travel on a charge. It also has turn signals and a brake light along with other safety features including hydraulic-disc brakes, a loud horn, an LED headlight, and hands free access.
For more information on the City of Denver’s ebike voucher program, visit energyoffice.colorado.gov/ebike-rebates. To learn more about the City Run, visit www.heybike.com/products/heybike-cityrun-electric-bike.