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
by Mark Smiley | Jun 15, 2014 | Featured Stories & Advertisers
by Mark Smiley | May 28, 2014 | General Featured
by Charles C. Bonniwell
David Steel, President, Chief Operating Officer and Partner in Western Development Group, LLC, was presented the prestigious “Business Leader of the Year” by the Cherry Creek Chamber of Commerce at its annual luncheon on May 8, 2014, at the JW Marriott in Cherry Creek.
Western Development is a company capitalized by Philip Anschutz, the wealthiest man in Colorado according to Forbes magazine. The company built and developed the NorthCreek, a mixed use condominium project on Fillmore Street in Cherry Creek North. Units in the project sell for one million dollars o
r more. Western Development is also in the process of building and developing 250 Columbine, a $100 million mixed use project and also in Cherry Creek North. Western Development will construct a seven story building that will have 71 luxury high end residences as well as retail stores on the ground level.
At the luncheon, Steel was praised for his “honesty and forthrightness.” He was also lauded for his work as past chair of the Cherry Creek North Business Improvement District as well as his work with the Cherry Creek Steering Committee and his role in founding the Cherry Creek Business Alliance. It was stated at the luncheon that Steel was “controversial on occasion” apparently referring to his leading role in turning the only open space in Cherry Creek North, Fillmore Plaza into a roadway in order to improve the traffic to the stores on the ground floor of the NorthCreek development. Attendees noted that while he was not always loved by businesses or residents for his role in the Fillmore Plaza destruction, he never hid or refused to talk to the public no matter how difficult some meetings were.”
“He is an incredibly upfront person,” noted Jeff Allen, COO of the Greater Glendale Chamber of Commerce, who was at the luncheon. “He never lies to people and doesn’t try to deceive anyone which are unusual traits for a developer in Colorado. Part of the reason he can be controversial is that while everyone else is hiding under the table, he stands tall and takes the shots. He is never unpleasant or angry no matter how heated the conversation gets. That is part of the reason why even his adversaries hold him in very high regard.”
The Cherry Creek Chamber head Christine Des Enfants called Steel one of the nicest, most professional businessman she has ever known.
In accepting the award Steel told the packed audience: “It has been a tough road, but worth it and we’re not done yet.”
Born in Canada, Steel started his business career in 1973 as a sales representative in Calgary for Xerox of Canada and held a similar position with IBM of Canada until shifting over to real estate in 1975. He came to Denver in the late 1970s with Oxford Development Group working on large scale, mixed use developments. He was hired by Philip Anschutz in 1983 and eventually became the President of Real Estate for The Anschutz Corporation. In 2004 he took over the reins of Western Development Group whose officers include Christian Anschutz, son of Philip Anschutz, who has a residence in NorthCreek.
Steel and his wife Cathy have been married for over 26 years, have two sons, and live in a home in the Country Club area adjacent to Cherry Creek North.
