by Mark Smiley | Dec 22, 2014 | Glendale City News
by Marco Cummings
Writer for and on behalf of the 
City of Glendale
Glendale Raptors head coach Andre Snyman is no shaman; and he can’t predict the future. But the South African offered up a few words of wisdom when asked about his team’s start of a new campaign entering the 2015 Pacific Rugby Premiership (PRP) season.
“When you’re on the top of the mountain, everyone wants to knock you down. The tallest tree catches the most wind.”
After entering last season as a proverbial sapling amongst bigger and more established clubs within the PRP, the Raptors surprised many by riding the winds all the way to the championship final, only to fall short to San Francisco Golden Gate.
The Raptors entered 2014 widely regarded as underdogs, but the team’s second place finish also places a target on their backs entering a new season in 2015.
“Everyone picked us to finish dead last and that was a driving force throughout the season,” Raptors team captain Zach Fenoglio said of last season’s campaign. “Now, our driving force is to regain our confidence and prove to the competition that we’re a tough team and tough to play against.”
Proving themselves to the competition is just one of several small goals the Raptors have set up for themselves for a new season of PRP play. The team’s ultimate goal for the New Year is to once again make the final, but this time emerge as champions.
Glendale’s method to winning the Pacific Rugby Premiership crown appears simple in theory, but will take a great deal of effort in practice.
“If we want to win the PRP this season we’ll have to improve on all of the aspects from last year.” Snyman explained. “Our skill level has to be higher, our physical level needs to be higher and our defense needs to improve.”
The improvement for the Raptors began in the offseason. This past fall, the Raptors scheduled a slate of games, which included collegiate opponents Lindenwood and Arkansas State as well as the Aspen Ruggerfest, where the team got a taste of hardware as tournament champions.
The majority of the progress Glendale has made during the offseason has not been on the pitch, but in the weight room. After performi
ng a calculated series of tests measuring each player’s physical fitness, the coaching staff placed the team on a regimented strength and conditioning program.
Weeks later, the players were reassessed and the tests revealed a minimum of 10 percent improvement in both weight and repetitions.
Results in hand, the Raptors hope to gain a physical edge over their opponents. Strength is certainly key in a sport like rugby, but so is the ability to outrun and outlast an opponent. The Raptors hope to have enhanced that ability with added depth to the team’s roster.
Said Snyman, “I’ve got about 90 percent of the players from last season back this season. That in itself is a lot. If you can keep continuity within the team that’s a huge contribution to success.”
It’s not simply depth, but quality depth in which Glendale hopes to invest its championship aspirations throughout the course of the 2015 season. Snyman is hopeful that with the remaining 10 percent of new players added, the Raptors have found players that are capable at playing at a high level within the PRP.
One of these “new” faces is a familiar one. Twenty-one-year-old Cody Melphy, a longtime member of Glendale’s developmental programs, is one of several young players Snyman hopes to provide opportunities to throughout the course of the PRP season. Melphy proved to be a factor during the Raptors’ summer 7s season and has since been training with the first team men.
“A player like Cody Melphy has got all the skill and the character to play at that level,” commented Snyman. “The only thing he’s lacking is experience. My job as a coach is to get him that experience whether I start him or bring him in as an impact player. He will definitely be a contributor to the team because he’s a very versatile player.”
Another newcomer to Glendale’s first team is Jake Turnbull. Like Melphy, the Australian has been auditioning throughout the course of the summer and fall alongside a mix of veterans and newcomers.
In fact, keeping everyone happy yet competitive within the group is what Snyman believes will be his biggest challenge as a coach this season, aside from the Raptors’ opponents.
“As a coach, selecting a starting lineup is going to be tough,” he said. “We have at least two or three players who could start at each position.”
But from a player’s perspective, the competition is welcome and healthy, as the team’s captain was quick to point out.
“I think the more competitive training can be, the better. The flexibility of depth is something we’re continuing to work on and haven’t had in the past. In a physical sport like rugby, injuries happen. Having confidence in the guy behind you is a good way to go about the season,” Fenoglio explained.
Competition within the group is just another tool that the Raptors hope to use to propel the team back to the top entering the new season.
“Obviously we have our expectations set pretty high,” Fenoglio added. “We have small and big term goals that will help us throughout the year.”
The Raptors will have a full 14-week season to complete these smaller goals en-route to accomplishing their grander task at hand. Fans will get their first glimpse at the newly energized and determined Raptors when they travel to face OMBAC in their first game of the season on Jan. 31.
by Mark Smiley | Dec 22, 2014 | Editorials
— A Modest Proposal
There has probably never been a time as difficult as the present to be a Denver municipal peace officer whether in the police or sheriff’s departments. Everyone is more than happy to tell you exactly why you suck and there does not appear to be anyone who seeks to back you up from the President of the United States, the U.S. attorney general, the mayor of Denver and even the police chief of Denver. Across the country protesters are screaming “What do we want — Dead Cops. When do we want it — Now.”
In Denver they almost got what they wanted during the Ferguson protests outside East High School. A driver, who was cheering the students on, ran into four police officers on bicycles, dragging Officer John Adsit under his car, almost killing him. A police union official indicated that the protesters cheered and chanted “hit him again.” So deep is the suspicion of Mayor Michael Hancock and Police Chief Robert White that when they declared the incident to be an accident caused by the driver’s medical condition, many people simply assumed that they were lying. Believe it or not there was a time when most of the Denver public assumed the opposite — that most police officers told the truth most of the time. Now police officers in Denver will be required to wear body cameras because the public does not believe much of what they are told by the Denver Police Department.
The police have traditionally counted on support from older citizens. The Greatest Generation had a high level of respect for law enforcement. But that generation is quickly disappearing and is replaced by Baby Boomers, some of whom grew up calling police officers “pigs.” President Obama has demonstrated that he does not support police whether in Cambridge, New York City or Ferguson. Attorney General Holder clearly views many police departments as “racist” even if in places like New York City where the police force demographics mirror the racial composition of the city.
In Denver the sorry spectacle at the Denver City Jail has not helped with embarrassing videos coming out seemingly daily. Denver citizens do not regularly distinguish between Denver police officers and Denver deputy sheriffs and perhaps there is no reason why they should. Denver law enforcement is Denver law enforcement. The six millio
n dollar verdict handed out in the Marvin Booker wrongful death case in United States District Court in October certainly indicates that the city is in a great deal of trouble if a case of excessive force by a Denver law enforcement officer reaches a Denver jury.
Mayor Hancock is definitely not a fan of the rank and file of the Denver Police Department. He has worked hard to be sure that the firing of Denver cops, which are almost all rank and file and never the brass, is made easier and more expeditious. When he went to look for a new police chief it was clear he was not going to promote from within the Denver Police Department. Chief Robert White has taken a number of meritorious actions in shoring up the department including making sure that more officers are walking a beat and not sitting behind a desk.
But White has no history with the Denver police force and he owes his job and allegiance to Michael Hancock, even to the point of lying straight into television cameras in declaring that the sole purpose of photo radar cameras was public safety while refusing the demands of the City Auditor and others to conduct any studies to back up his claims. While Hancock may not be a fan of rank and file police officers he does strongly support photo radar cameras and apparently is adamant that no studies occur lest they threaten a growing revenue bonanza.
So where do law enforcement officers in Denver go to get support? It is not the police union which was long ago discredited by its actions in supporting police officers no matter how heinous the purported misconduct.
No it is going to have to be from average everyday citizens whom the officers are sworn to serve and protect. Earning that support, which has been by and large lost, will not be easy. The bigwigs in Denver have cast the average police officer into the wind. The only port in this storm for everyday Denver cops is the common man and woman. An alliance of everyday people and the rank and file police could be in its own way revolutionary. No longer would there be one set of rules for the elite and another for the rest of us. No more John TV while the mayor has been and maybe still is an important patron of prostitutes. No more special license plates for politicians which evade the ever present Denver photo radar cameras while citizens literally pay millions in fines every year. A citizens’ police force and not the politicians’ police force. It’s worth giving it a try. Ultimately it will take changes to the Denver City Charter to get the police out from the politicians’ grasp, but it can be done and should be done.
— Editorial Board
by Mark Smiley | Dec 22, 2014 | Feature Story Bottom Left
Confessions Of A Serial Dater
Sheik Of Cherry Creek Greg Hollenback
Well it’s that time of year, New Year resolutions are in full swing. People everywhere, single or otherwise will vow to eliminate, add, refine, start or quit something in their lives in hopes of being a better person moving forward. Okay, now think back to the resolution you made last year. What’s that? You don’t even remember what your resolution was, do you? If any of what I just wrote resonated with you, fear not, I am going to give you a new approach this year that will not only help your overall quality of life but it will also improve your viability as a single dater.
Now open your mind and wrap it around what I’m about to tell you. Think about your relationships with people in your family, think about the people you associate with, think about your job, and think about your daily surroundings, i.e., where and how you live. I bring up these external variables in your life for a reason. More often than not when people are looking to make changes in their lives the first place they start is with themselves rather than looking at their surroundings. Don’t get me wrong, trying to improve yourself by eating better, exercising, or kicking a bad habit is never a bad thing but let’s face it, you and I both know you should constantly be working to better your mind and body. It shouldn’t take a New Year to motivate you to be a better you — try this instead.
This year I want you to take a look around you and I want you to make tough decisions regarding who and what should belong in your life. I want you to keep the following list in mind when you are thinking of potential “resolutions” that will improve your life.
Your Family: This year I resolve to improve my family. People always say that their family is the most important aspect in their lives yet their relationships are in shambles. Think about it… how are you supposed to have a healthy, productive, intimate relationship with a significant other if you can’t even get along with the people you are closest with. I want you to look at individual relationships with the people that are closest to you and figure out if those relationships are productive in your life.
I’m not telling you to do whatever it takes to have a relationship with someone in your family at all cost. In fact quite the contrary, what I am asking you to do is figure out what is wrong with any one relationship and then make a choice on whether that tie to them is fulfilling the requirements needed to be productive and healthy in your life. If you decide knowing that person (mom, dad, sister, brother, whoever) is not adding to your life eliminate them, I don’t care if they are family or not. It is very important to your overall mental and physical health to have the close relationships right.
Your Friends: This year I resolve to eliminate the friends in my life who add nothing to my world. Everyone knows their friends and the effect they have on you. Most friends serve a specific purpose. You have your party friends who you raise hell and get hammered with, they linger in your life from the time when you had nothing better to do than party every night. You have your childhood friends who are held close to your vest no matter what, mostly for reasons of nostalgia. You have your loser friends who every time you hear from them there is a problem. You know these friends, they are high drama, their life is usually in shambles and every time you’re around them there is a crisis and their drama is off the charts.
Of course there are many other types of friends in your life and even some that add to you. That’s the point, just like your relationships with your family you need to address your friends and figure out who is enhancing your life in a positive way and get rid of all others. The people you choose to have around you are a huge variable when it comes to your progress in your life and opportunities they can bestow upon you. If you hang with losers there is a good chance you are one.
Your Surroundings: This year I resolve to tighten up my surroundings. No matter what is happening in my life I always feel better when where I live is in order. Having chaos in your home translates into all aspects of your life. Get your household in order and do the things necessary to ensure you’re comfortable in your downtime. Let’s face it, there are very few things in life that you have complete control over but the environment that you choose to create around you is all you. You are in charge of how you live and how you choose to live there within. Keep things tidy and fresh around your home and you just might find it easier to deal with the rest of this upside down world.
I was told by someone once that whoever you spend New Year’s Eve with will be in your life the rest of the year and I’ve found this to be accurate. With that said, maybe this year you can resolve to simply be around quality people who add to your life. Get rid of the energy leeches in your life and raise your standards and watch your dating viability increase. If you want to find someone great to be with this year start by doing these few things and remember water finds its own level and people do too.
The Modern Dater date club is filling up and the first group of dating excursions hosted by me is going to start happening this month. If you have any interest in how you can be a part of this exclusive dating club just drop me a line at themoderndat er@gmail.com.
Happy New Year!
Your Pal, Sheik
by Mark Smiley | Dec 22, 2014 | Feature Story Middle Left
by Brian Zabroski
I joined an interesting conversation over the holidays. Grandpa App was at his favorite watering hole talking about his new iPhone. The others in the conversation had upgraded their phones to smartphones recently. There were the pictures of grandkids, jokes about typing errors and dropped calls. They generally were enjoying their new found technology, with one exception — they didn’t have a clue what they’re doing! The group is in their 60s. They are smart and personable.
I only added one topic to the conversation. When they didn’t understand how to perform a task at their jobs, what did they do? They asked for help. Listen, Toddler App (now four) can move through a mobile device with ease. I don’t expect Grandpa App, who has never owned a computer or anything technical short of a television remote, to “get it.”
I suggested they all meet at the Apple Store with a cup of Dunkins and participate in a free training. Learn and use. Candidly, I really enjoy having a better communication tool with my Dad than anything else he has used in the past. We talk, text and see each other nearly every day. I just don’t want he nor his watering hole buddies to get discouraged with the technology and stop using it.
If you’re new to technology, take a class. Most of these classes are free. Check out: https://www.apple.com/retail/learn/ or Best Buy for Android users: http://goo.gl/ LsOZsL.
This conversation really raised an eyebrow. How many times do we purchase technology with the mindset of using all of the features, but only use a few? A Gartner Study stated 42 percent of features in software (i.e. CRM) are not deployed. Think about that for a moment. You pay 100 percent of the price, but only use 58 percent of the product you buy. There are a few tools that measure the usage and adoption of technology and software: GoodData, Birst, iDashboards and QlikView. They are not free, but will give you an idea of how to improve your technology adoption rates.
The same is true for your house. Are you using all of your television and cable provider’s features? Your phone’s features? I get it. We will not be at 100 percent of utilization, but there are so many neat things we’re missing. Use this time of year to reinvest in your existing investments:
- Download your TV and other technology manuals
- Review your remote control features
- Freshen up on your cable provider’s offerings
- Renegotiate your provider’s contracts
- Clean your technology
- Donate what you’re not using
From cookies to crunches, it’s that time of year that we decide, “This is the year I’m going to be in shape instead of a shape!” For all of ambitious folks, here are a few ideas: Runtastic Six Pack Abs, what a pipe dream, but check it out | Johnson & Johnson Official 7 Minute Workout, isn’t this the same thing that the Harlan Williams character promoted in There’s Something About Mary? | JEFIT, lots of workout ideas | Argus, activity tracker | Fitocracy, an exercise routine, which can be posted to social media. Not sure why anyone would ever want to post to Facebook, “Completed 3 pullups,” but then again it’ll be better than most of the junk posts I see on Facebook.
A few thoughts about technology for 2015:
- Mobile apps are becoming the norm for nearly any business. Consumers want to consume info via an application. If your business is not planning to build an app then you have a concern. Your competitors are building apps. The means to build an app are easier today than ever. Check out biznessapps.com, which charges a nominal monthly fee to build and manage an app.
- Push notifications and push marketing via mobile devices will become more commonplace. This is the very reason you’ll want your business to build an app. This provides another touch point to connect with your customers and potential customers.
- Mobile site creation for your business will become an important strategy. Are you positioned to handle mobile traffic? Is your website optimized for mobility? Between the ages of 18 to 29, 45 percent of those within this category use their mobile device for Internet searches. Your business website needs to be optimized to handle this traffic.
Being able to handle mobile traffic to your business, as well as to create traffic via mobile technology is yesterday’s news. Redesigning your website should begin with mobility in mind. Consumers expect to consume information via their handheld device. This is your challenge for 2015. Ready for it? We, the consumer, are!
Happy New Year!
Do you have a favorite app you’d like to share? Contact Brian at brian@brianzabro ski.com, on Twitter @BrianZab or LinkedIn at www.linkedin.com/in/brianzab.
Brian, a Corporate Account Executive with NetSuite, has spent nearly 20 years in the telecommunications and software industry. Businesses use NetSuite software to run and manage all of their business applications. It’s web-based, so businesses can access their information from anywhere; It’s flexible, which allows the software to be customized for their business; and, it is built on a single platform, which businesses appreciate since they can often eliminate multiple software solutions. Trending companies, such as Box, GoPro, FitBit and Dropbox use this software to run their business. Reach out to Brian to learn how your business can benefit with this software.
by Mark Smiley | Dec 22, 2014 | Valley Gadfly
Giddy-up: The New Year is here! Like a command — as to a horse — it’s time to go ahead and get-ahead, only much faster. For the most part those rodeo cowboys and gals and their National Western followers ride into town to horse around. However, you should ride the range the way our frontier ancestors did, tall in the saddle.
Like those cowboys of yesteryear you shouldn’t just head your steed out but also up! Be warned you’ll have to rabbit hop around prickly plants and scrubby hillsides.
Here are our rockin’ to and fro choices for shopping, dining and entertainment to stay straight in the stirrups and start the New Year right by making a solid hoofprint:
3 Enjoy giddy-up glamour in our cowtown for a day as Texas Longhorns are herded from Union Station down 17th St. Jan. 9. It’s the stock show parade of horses and marching bands. Information: 303-297-1166.
3 If you’re dreaming of water and summer, attend the 30th Denver Boat Show at the Convention Center, Jan. 9-11. Information: 303-859-1284.
3 Attention cowboys: It’s not just horses that need shoeing, so do you! The best cowboy and work boots in the Valley are at Dardano’s on S. Colorado Blvd. Plus they know good hoof care. Information: 303-692-9355.
3 Rope the best cowboy art in town during the Denver Roundup Exhibition at Saks Galleries in Cherry Creek, Jan. 10-25. Information: 303-333-4144.
3 Enjoy the action of rodeos, livestock and horse shows by attending the National Western’s 16-day run, Jan. 10-25. Information: 303-297-1166.
3 Hungry? Don’t feed on the lowly Jimson weed! Get back in the saddle and ride to Shells & Sauce for top Italian grub. Information: 303-377-2091.
3 Warm up to the New Year during the Denver Winter Brew Fest fundraiser at Mile High Station, Jan. 23-24, 6 p.m. Information: 720-946-7721.
3 Get your kicks in to knock out cancer at the CU Hospital gala at the Hyatt Regency Convention Center, Jan. 24. Information: 720-848-7722.
3 It’s the time of year you start itching to see the first blooms of spring. Escape the cold and be transported to a floral wonderland during Denver Botanic Gardens’ Orchid Showcase, Jan. 9-Feb. 23. See hundreds of orchid blooms spread among the fragrant collection in the Orangery & Marnie Pavilion, 9 a.m.-5 p.m. It will quench your thirst for bursts of spring and chase away the winter blues. Information: 720-865-3680.
For Valley residents our cowtown history is a local asset that keeps getting better with age. For out-of-town visitors here for this month’s Stock Show this old cowboy town is now something else all together. Skyscrapers are replacing pastoral structures that epitomized the old West. Does it make you wish Denver could go back in time?
Instead, modern cowpokes are experiencing the dramatic clash of yesteryear’s cattle country ideals with the financial sway of today’s big city municipal forces.
With the National Western in town you’ll be seeing stuff ‘bout boots ’n’ spurs. But being a cowboy isn’t about wearing fancy hats or riding a horse on weekends. Still, if you’re feeling down, saddle up. Just don’t go where the path may lead. Go instead where there is no path and leave a trail. Whoopi-ty-aye-yay and Happy New Year!
The Valley Gadfly can be reached at newspaper@glendalecherrycreek.com.
