by Mark Smiley | Jun 20, 2014 | Travel
Denver Botanic Gardens has presented the Rocky Mountain Region’s first major outdoor exhibition of artwork by celebrated American artist Dale Chihuly. The exhibition is on view at the York Street (1007 York Street in Denver) location until November 30, 2014. Informed by nature, each installation responds to surrounding plants, flowers and architecture.
The exhibit has gotten a mixed reception to date. The Denver Post managed to both condemn and praise the display in separate parts of the paper. In its “Ärts and Culture” section it blasted the exhibit as “invasive” and “fake” while over on its editorial page the paper hailed it as a “visual tour de force.”
Chihuly’s sculptures — ranging in size and style from small water floats to a 30-foot tower — have added bold colors to the Gardens’ 24-acre urban oasis. Site-specific sculpture installations are presented in 12 locations throughout the Gardens. A looping video features a comprehensive survey of his work and process. “I would say his work is pretty organic in nature and that would be the way he approaches things,” said Britt Cornett, the head of the exhibition.
Shop at the Gardens offers a retail gallery of original Chihuly works. No artwork will be on view at Mordecai Children’s Garden or the Chatfield site. “We are thrilled to welcome Chihuly to Denver Botanic Gardens,” says Brian Vogt, CEO of the Gardens. “This special opportunity brings an internationally recognized artist to the Denver metro area and the Rocky Mountain West. The iconic artwork enhances the Gardens’ living collection in a powerful, yet graceful way that is at once familiar and other-worldly.”
Born in 1941 in Tacoma, Washington, Dale Chihuly was introduced to glass while studying interior design at the University of Washington. After graduating in 1965, Chihuly enrolled in the first glass program in the country, at the University of Wisconsin. He continued studies at the Rhode Island School of Design (RISD), where he later established the glass program and taught for more than a decade.
In 1968, after receiving a Fulbright Fellowship, he went to work at the Venini glass factory in Venice, Italy. There he observed the team approach to blowing glass, which is critical to the way he works today. In 1971, Chihuly cofounded Pilchuck Glass School in Washington. With this international glass center, Chihuly has led the avant-garde in the development of glass as a fine art. He lost an eye in an automobile accident in 1976 in England, and he now sports a rakish looking eye patch.
His work is included in more than 200 museum collections worldwide and Chihuly is one of three living American artists to have a solo exhibition at the Louvre in Paris. Chihuly does have his critics some of whom claim his artistic repertoire tends to be rather limited in nature
The Denver Post Fine Arts Critic Ray Mark Rinaldi stated, “It’s hard to say why the garden would let an invasive species like Chihuly take over so completely. Why put fake flowers next to real ones? It’s tempting to connect it to the number of tickets it will sell, offering quick thrills over that thoughtful throughline that can make art and nature copacetic.” He was not through, “It’s all competition for the plants and flowers and disruptive to the paradise so many of us run to when we need to escape the urban clutter.” He went on to trash the new construction projects at the Gardens indicating that “greenery might be a better option.”
Apparently in fear of what city officials, Botanic Gardens administrators and Chihuly fans might say, The Post prepared a somewhat unique editorial underneath another editorial call for more gun control. In it the Editorial Board opined, “And take it from us.” [And apparently not from The Post’s Fine Arts critic.].”Far from being a distraction from the main core attractions . . . the Chihuly sculptures fit niftily into the landscape, often with stunning results.” The Editorial Board went on to fulsomely praise all the new construction projects on the premises.
The controversy should draw great crowds to the Botanical Gardens this summer and fall with folks wanting to see what the hubbub is all about and determining which side of the dispute they fall on.
The Denver Botanic Gardens’ summer hours are 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. Weekdays and 8 a.m. to 9 p.m. Saturday and Sunday. For more information, visit their website at www.botanicgardens.org.
by Mark Smiley | Jun 20, 2014 | Editorials
The Chronicle has received scores of emails and telephone calls relating to our June editorial “Task Force’s Solution For Cherry Creek’s Parking: Of Course Provide Even Less Parking.” Most of the communications from residents and businesses praising us for bringing forth the apparent absurdity of solving Cherry Creek North’s parking and traffic problems by approving massive height and density while at the same time providing a fraction of the needed parking, a point every other news outlet ignored or failed to mention.
However, we also received communications from various members of the Cherry Creek Zoning Technical Task Force and its supporters informing why we were wrong. We reproduce in full, three of the more articulate critiques of our editorial from two members of the task force (Brooks Waldman and Wayne New) as well as a leading candidate to replace Jeanne Robb as the councilmember for District 10 which includes Cherry Creek (Roger Sherman).
Each of the individuals is an articulate spokesman for the work of the Task Force. In addition members of the Editorial Board have met in person with each of them and each evidenced a real concern for the well-being of the Cherry Creek neighborhood and the people who live and work in the area. Nevertheless, it is not easy to defend the indefensible as they valiantly try to do.
Various members of the Editorial Board have been part of developer teams and/or have represented developers before city boards and city councils. We know that most developers almost always underestimate the amount of parking that their projects need and demand that the public fix the problem on the public’s dime after the project is completed. Case in point is the highly successful City Set project in Glendale recently completed at the corner of Colorado Boulevard and Cherry Creek Drive South.
The developer Stonebridge Companies based in Englewood demanded that the city approve the development plan with 20% less parking than required under the city’s regulations and ordinances based on a misleading parking study. Now that the project is a success the entire development is constrained by the lack of parking Stonebridge refused to provide. As is standard operating procedure Stonebridge wants the city to solve Stonebridge’s self-induced parking problems by giving the development 70 dedicated parking spots along Ash and Exposition streets. In the end, Glendale will undoubtedly be helpful and give Stonebridge what it wants with some modest modifications.
The problem with the recommendations by the Task Force is that they are so extreme in favor of developers that any future attempts to remedy them will be impossible or so expensive that they will bankrupt the area, its residents and small businesses. With that caveat in mind, here are the responses to our editorial without edits or deletions:
The opening statement in the Glendale Cherry Creek Chronicle’s editorial of June 2014 is: “Notwithstanding the general popularity of the Cherry Creek area, the reasons some people give for not wanting to visit Cherry Creek North include the lack of off-street parking and, more recently, traffic jams.” This is probably accurate, as far as it goes, but just one piece of a much larger story behind the BID/rezoning Task Force’s work.
The Cherry Creek Business Improvement District (BID) and the Cherry Creek area in general is experiencing a surge of residential growth, predominantly multi-story rental housing, which reinforces the “regional center “ designation identified in the 2012 update of the Cherry Creek Area Plan. Traffic and parking were a big part of the 2 year community discussions leading up to the approval of the plan. Currently the surge in building and infrastructure construction (University out-fall storm sewer) has contributed to the validity of the opening statement in the editorial. However, the much larger and overlooked story that should have been told is about the start of implementation of a vision for Cherry Creek as a multi-modal and transit connected town center with much more reliance on biking, walking and transit connectivity. Indeed, Transportation Solutions, the area transportation management association, has worked with Glendale, Cherry Creek, and RTD leadership toward that goal.
The charge given the Rezoning Task Force, by Councilwoman Robb, was to create a new zoning district that encourages and supports the plan vision. The parking recommendation from the Task Force is equal to or higher than minimum suburban parking ratios in the 2010 Denver zoning code (though slightly less than what the Urban Form Study recommended for retail/ restaurant parking). In discussion, the Task Force realized that with viable and inviting alternative modes of movement people are making transportation choice less dependent on automobile ownership. In fact, the recent growth in Cherry Creek of B-Cycles, Car2go and other alternatives are rapidly changing the equation. An explosion of new residents, living, walking, working, shopping and playing in CC will help support the lower parking ratios. I would bet that nearby Glendale will find themselves moving in the same direction in years to come. Thank you for the parking piece, but more complete coverage of the larger story would be appreciated.
Brooks Waldman
Past President, Cherry East Association
Vice Chair, Cherry Creek Steering Committee
Member, BID/rezoning Task Force
The Cherry Creek Area Plan was adopted two years ago and there has been considerable effort to implement the plan since then. The Cherry Creek Steering Committee and the Zoning Technical Task Force are to be commended for accomplishing one of the plan’s most important recommendations — recalibrating the C-CCN zoning.
Contrary to your editorial position, the Task Force’s recommendation strikes the right balance on parking requirements. The task force evaluated parking conditions in Cherry Creek North and reached consensus on the appropriate parking requirements for an area that prizes its walkability. Too much required parking can prove to be just as challenging to the prosperity and quality of a district such as Cherry Creek as too little.
Now, it is time to implement the plan’s multimodal transportation recommendations. Enhancing the quality of place throughout Cherry Creek should be our focus — along with making walking, biking, transit and, yes, driving viable options for all our trips in and around Cherry Creek. If you design communities for automobiles, you get more automobiles. If you design them for people, you get walkable, livable communities.
As a candidate for City Council, I know people are rightfully looking to me for ideas on these critical issues, so let me suggest we start with four priorities:
- Improve transit service between Cherry Creek and downtown and along Colorado Blvd. The private-sector and city are rightly looking at alternate funding scenarios as RTD can’t do it alone.
- Designate the Cherry Creek area as a “Pedestrian Priority Zone” and fund additional pedestrian improvements such as raised crosswalks, median crossing islands and sidewalk bulb-outs, which are especially needed along Steele as well as Alameda Parkway and First Ave.
- Install protected or dedicated bicycle lanes and improve connections between Cherry Creek and surrounding neighborhoods as well as the Cherry Creek Bike Path.
- Identify traffic calming measures to lower speeds along Speer Blvd. and 6th Ave. which might include wider sidewalks and narrower travel lanes. Perhaps if we actually reduce speeds, safety would be improved and the photo-radar debate would become moot?
I appreciate your interest in Cherry Creek and enhancing the area’s best qualities. I look forward to continuing a spirited dialogue about this community that we all care about so much.
Sincerely,
Roger Sherman
Candidate, Denver City Council District 10
I would like to state right off the top that I appreciate the Chronicle’s questioning the decisions of both elected officials and community leaders, especially including those of us who are running for office. Transparency and accountability are of paramount importance, and I hold myself to these ideals. I also appreciate your inviolate commitment to these ideals.
In your June 2014 Editorial, you quoted me correctly. I did say that the proposed Technical Task Force zoning parking ratio recommendations fit “very well” (with proposed CCN BID development). The mistake I made was that I did not take the time to explain that, if the parking ratios are not met, then it will require a decrease in building size and density. My support was due to a thorough analysis of the issue and was discussed with CCN residents. It was surely not an overnight decision nor one that was pressed upon me at all by Planning, developers, or any other party.
The parking ratios were thoroughly analyzed and discussed by Task Force members, BID property and business owners, and neighborhood residents who attended our meeting. With professional architect advice I personally analyzed over 40 parking ratio test cases on BID properties to determine parking ratio fitness and building effect. As shown in the parking ratio comparison chart*, there is no doubt it was a zoning compromise but one that should benefit all residential and business parties.
I am confident you realize that these C-CCN District rezoning recommendations were determined through years of volunteer hard work, time consuming research, expensive analyses, discussions, and negotiations with our residents and community leaders. To explain further I am attaching a more detailed description on how parking has been a major concern over the past several years.
All members of the Technical Task Force have worked diligently and thoughtfully to reach the best possible balanced outcomes on C-CCN Rezoning. My only hope is that zoning agreements will be fully enforced and utilize “smart development” — a balanced approach that enhances the quality of residential life while promoting commercial growth and success.
Thank you for expressing your concerns and allowing me the opportunity to explain and emphasize how the C-CCN rezoning was determined and will benefit Cherry Creek North.
Sincerely,
Wayne New
Past President, Cherry North Neighborhood Assn.
Member, Rezoning Task Force
Candidate, Denver City Council District 10
Supporting Documents Submitted by Wayne New:
Document #1
Document #2
by Mark Smiley | Jun 20, 2014 | Valley Gadfly
Oh, the simple joys of summer: It’s the season when we walk barefoot in the grass; we watch kids run through sprinklers and throw themselves with abandon onto Slip-and-Slides; and we wear straw hats, t-shirts, sundresses and sandals while eating ice cream. Our gloomy weather had us always saying, “Oh, heaven let your sun shine down.”
Something had to give to drive away our climate madness. Valley neighborhoods have been looking to the sky, wishing on a star and waiting for a brand new start.
Here are our choices for shopping, dining and entertainment to swing into summer enjoying an enlivening, relaxing time filled with ways to make days brighter:
3 Swing into summer on a high note as you enjoy live music in the fresh air at the Shady Grove Picnic Series in Four Mile Historic Park. Weekly series is on Wednesday evenings at 6:30 p.m. Information: 303-777-1003.
3 Yo ho, it’s hot! Cherry Creek Shade & Drapery offers shades to cool your home from the heat and cut energy bills. Information: 303-355-4223.
3 Light up your 4th at Four Mile Park’s Old Fashioned July 4th enjoying music, games and festivities, 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Information: 720-865-0800.
3 Unwind listening to Jayme Stone’s music stretched out on the lawn at the Clyfford Still Museum July 11, 5:30 p.m. Information: 303-777-1003.
3 Hit the pavement for sizzling summer deals offered by boutiques and businesses during the Cherry Creek North Sidewalk Sale July 17-20, 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Thurs.-Sat.; Sun., 11 a.m.-5 p.m. Information: 303-394-2904.
3 Striking, bright abstract photos make a splash at Robert Anderson Gallery show opening July 18 with reception 5-8 p.m. Information: 303-388-1332.
3 Sip, swing, dine and dance into summer at Alliance Française’s Bastille Day at Four Mile Park July 19, 5:30 p.m. Information: 720-865-0800.
3 Summer heats up with concerts, rodeos, a demolition derby and carnivals at the Arapahoe County Fair, July 24-27. Information: 303-795-4464.
3 Let the kids shine this summer with fun activities alongside engaging them in reading divided up into three age-appropriate themes. Summer reading programs are at all 25 Denver Public Library sites, July 1-Aug. 9. In addition to reading, workshops, craft making and musical entertainment are offered at various branches. Information: www.summerofreading.org.
Summer frolics like a happy child between innocent spring and melancholy autumn waiting for us to embrace her unbridled delight for life. Even while weeding, watering and harvesting there’s time for theatre, musical performances and outdoor barbeques. Or just closing your eyes and listening to the birds singing in the trees.
The secret is in slowing down long enough to notice the miracles that surround us. Watch and listen for those occasions and activities that encourage us to slow down.
It might be stretching out under a tree and allowing yourself to unwind on a dreamy day. Or taking time in the middle of a workday to sit on a park bench and notice the shapes of the clouds as they billow across the sky. George Gershwin’s musical lullaby said it best: “It’s summertime and the livin’ is easy and the fish are jumpin’.”
— Glen Richardson
The Valley Gadfly can be reached at newspaper@glendalecherrycreek.com.
by Mark Smiley | Jun 20, 2014 | Feature Story Middle Left
I’m a technology mess. There was a time last month that there were six computers on my desk. There was Mrs. App’s work laptop, two work laptops for me and three computers that we’ve used at some point over the past six years personally. I didn’t realize I had an issue until I switched jobs. I had to move anything personal from the old work laptop to somewhere.
As I launched the three personal computers, each one had major challenges. One crashed, another was so hot that I seriously worried it would burn down the house, and the other moved so slow that I forgot what application I clicked by the time it actually opened. I see these three computers will not be reliable for me to move my personal stuff from my work pc.
I booted the crashed pc with Darik’s Boot and Nuke (www.dban.org), which removed everything from that pc rendering it useless. The program took nearly 48 hours to run. Next, I removed anything personal from the hot and slow computers. There was one common theme with these three personal computers. I was smart enough to use Dropbox to store my files, music and photos. Short of a few replaced files on each pc, I wasn’t too worried about losing anything.
My next challenge was to buy a new laptop. Upon a recommendation from an IT Guru, I purchased a Dell laptop for $299. In the past, I always purchased computers with lots of this and that within the specs. Now, I just need the laptop to have 500Gb of hard drive space and 4Gb of RAM since I have all of my files in the cloud.
The next challenge was do I purchase Microsoft Office? I decided to use their Office 365, which offers Excel, Word, PowerPoint and OneNote as online applications only. This is a free version of Office (http://goo .gl/UQm4vz). I was able to remove my personal data from my old work pc, which is the task that started this mess.
I learned a few things in the process. Computer maintenance along the way probably would have saved at least one of the three computers that were not working properly. Office 365 is a fine alternative for the investment, which is $0. It is rare that I don’t have access to the Internet, however I struggle with Microsoft not allowing any cloud storage provider other than their own, OneDrive (was called SkyDrive). If you’re new to storing your data in the cloud, Sky may be for you.
There are a number of computer recyclers, such as DenverPCRecycling.com, which will pick up and certify that the pc and data was destroyed for free. I should have purchased a touchscreen laptop. At least Toddler App wouldn’t have asked why my new pc is broken. Funny, a three-year-old just assumes everything is touchscreen. The most obvious lesson? Don’t load anything personal on a work computer!
FUN SITES: Check out the new Glendale Cherry Creek Chronicle site at glendalecher rycreek.com. Looking for an affordable service for your home or business, check out fiverr.com. This site offers services for as little as $5. I have no clue how anyone earns a living doing this, but I have a few friends that have given this site good reviews after using this site for projects… Looking for national sports coverage with a local flavor, check out @TheCauldron or the https://medium.com/the-cauldron. Andy Glockner, Denver resident and former Sports Illustrated writer, is the lead columnist.
COOL APPS: This is a much needed app for a three-year-old that has to check out every bathroom, SitOrSquat… Delicion, an app for gluten-free recipes… Keep an eye out for Quixey, a search engine that searches your apps for relevant information… Acompli, another calendar and email combo to make checking email enjoyable
NEAT PRODUCT: Looking for a baby monitor or home camera, check out Dropcam. It is a wifi camera, which syncs with your mobile device.
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 has spent nearly 20 years in the telecommunications and software industry. Brian’s clients use his software to run and manage all of their business applications. This software, NetSuite, is web-based, so you can access your business from anywhere; Flexible, allows you to customize the software for your business; and, is built on a single platform, which provides you a single pane of glass view whether your business has multiple locations, departments and divisions. Trending companies, such as Box, GoPro Camera and Dropbox use this software to run their businesses. Reach out to Brian to look learn your business can benefit from this software.
by Mark Smiley | Jun 20, 2014 | Feature Story Bottom Left
Ok guys, the last two articles that I wrote were to help you not only find quality women but also how to be ready when dating them. Well now it’s July and you should be in full dating swing with plenty of options in your rotation so when fall and nesting season comes around you can pair up with the pick of the litter. Here is the problem; flipping the switch from “dating guy” to “relationship guy” can be a very tricky endeavor that can backfire on you leaving you alone, without options, launching you back to square one if you don’t flip the switch at the perfect time.
First, let me explain the difference between dating guy and relationship guy before I talk about how you flip the switch and the dynamics behind the method.
Dating guy is the guy women are initially attracted to. Dating guy isn’t needy because he has options, dating guy doesn’t share his deepest darkest secrets, and he’s mysterious and is a little aloof. Women want a guy who other women desire. When ladies are dating they don’t want to date a guy that they know they can have, remember women like the chase too, probably more than guys do.
Relationship guy is the guy who is all in. He wants to be exclusive with one woman and in most cases when a man falls for a woman it is because she possesses all the qualities he is seeking in a woman, he’s extremely attracted to her, he enjoys her intellect and sense of humor and he can’t get enough of her. Relationship guy will tell her his deepest secrets; he is available at all times, his desire to chase other women vanishes and his cortisol levels skyrocket and his testosterone plummets.
Here’s the rub. Women who are dating are not attracted to relationship guy; he is too needy and easy, almost creepy to her if she is not ready or doesn’t want to be in a relationship. But when a woman is ready to be exclusive she wants dating guy to go away and she wants relationship guy to show up. This is a problem. Why you say? The answer is a man has no clue when to flip the switch from dating guy to relationship guy. For the most part guys wear their feelings on their sleeves and are pretty straightforward when they’re feeling something. On the flipside if a woman is ready to be exclusive and you still act like dating guy, there will be problems.
What it all boils down to is timing. Most guys by nature want to always remain dating guy because we are more productive in business, more virile, less emotional and basically more stable within ourselves. The monkey wrench gets thrown into our lives when we fall for a woman and the chemistry in our bodies starts to change and we can’t control what we’re feeling and thinking.
Guys you must remember what I am about to tell you and what you just read if you’re 
ready to flip the switch and she’s not. You have to remain dating guy until you are certain she is ready to be with you. Even if you have to force yourself to hold back putting yourself out there prematurely you still must. This will save you in the long run, trust me. I know this sounds like playing games but what can I say, I didn’t write the rules of attraction I just live by them like everyone else. The sad but very real thing about dating and romance is that resistance causes attraction and the more you push someone away the more they are drawn to you. Don’t put yourself in the helpless situation where you go too fast and she pushes you away leaving you desperate, with no options wanting more and more. Bleh!
Here are a few signs a woman is ready to be exclusive with you and she wants to couple up with you.
- She opens herself up sexually. Not just the act but she becomes open about her needs and insecurities.
- She starts to become jealous of other women in your life.
- She is interested in including you in whatever she is doing.
- She wants you to be more involved with her family.
- She starts planning things to do together in the future.
Warning: If you are really into a girl and you don’t see any of these signs do not, I repeat do not flip the switch over to relationship guy no matter how hard it is. If you can keep a level head even when you feel at times you can’t control it, you have to remain dating guy. If you take my advice you have a much better chance of not scaring her off to the next guy who is able to keep her on her toes.
Don’t forget to tune into the Modern Dater show for more dating advice every Saturday evening at 7 p.m. on 630 KHOW or catch the podcast and all of my writing on www.themoderndater.com. I am also very stoked to have put together a weekly happy hour every Wednesday on the patio of Randolph’s Restaurant and bar in the Warwick Hotel. I love happy hour, live reggae, beachside bars and a smoky grill. That’s why I created “Luau on the Terrace” all of the elements of a beachside grill brought to you right here in Denver. See you there!
— Sheik
Apparently in fear of what city officials, Botanic Gardens administrators and Chihuly fans might say, The Post prepared a somewhat unique editorial underneath another editorial call for more gun control. In it the Editorial Board opined, “And take it from us.” [And apparently not from The Post’s Fine Arts critic.].”Far from being a distraction from the main core attractions . . . the Chihuly sculptures fit niftily into the landscape, often with stunning results.” The Editorial Board went on to fulsomely praise all the new construction projects on the premises.
