by Valley Gadfly | Aug 29, 2014 | Valley Gadfly
Hot, chic, typical, crazy, outrageous, amazing, innovative or tacky, fads and trends come and go and are the bookmarks of a certain time. As the hot weather slowly comes to a halt we’re feeling a bit contemplative about where to go and what to do. But autumn will fly by in a flash so take advantage of the crisp weather and fall foliage.
A fad, like food trucks, is a practice or interest that we follow for a period of time with exaggerated zeal. Strange as it may be, fads and trends reshape what we do.
So in the name of turning over a fall leaf, here are our choices for shopping, dining and entertainment to keep you as trendy as the hottest, latest outrageous fad:
3 Beautiful flowers never go out of style and the Dahlia is among the prettiest. See large arrangements on display at the Dahlia Society Show at Paulino Gardens, Sept. 6-7, 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Information: 303-429-8062.
3 For fab free fall fun take in the Cherry Creek East’s Jazz Concert in Pulaski Park Sept. 8, 6:30 p.m. Information: www.cherrycreekeast.org.
3 Zoom in on American West color photography at opening reception at Robert Anderson Gallery, Sept. 12, 5-8 p.m. Information: 303-871-0800.
3 To be safe attend the Public Safety Expo at South High’s parking lot with food and live music Sept. 13, 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Information: 720-210-4056.
3 Make a good night’s sleep more than a passing fad by trying better mattresses for a better price from the recently opened SleepNation in Century 21 Plaza on South Colorado Blvd. Information: 303-954-9435.
3 For fabulous weekend football brunch specials plus happy hour all day hang out at the Monaco Inn Restaurant. Information: 303-320-1104.
3 Hop, skip and jump with the kids as they crawl, trot and run the kid course at the Children’s Museum Sept. 21, 9 a.m. Information: 303-561-0104.
3 Start a trend by watching Latin, Mexican, & European films showing at CineLatino in the Sie FilmCenter Sept. 25-26. Information: 720-381-0813.
3 This month’s hottest, hippest stage show is Grace playing at the John Hand Theatre, Sept. 4-27. This is a darkly funny, often hilarious, deadly serious and provocative play. Basically the story is an exploration of human assumption about how God, goodness, faith and causality operate. Performances are Thursday through Sunday plus a show on Monday, Sept. 27th. Information: 303-999-9143.
Whether we want to admit it or not we latch onto fads in fashion, pop culture, technology, and yes, even fads in foods. Every month it seems there’s a new “it” something. Smartphones, today’s mega technology trend, will likely seem ridiculous to people in 15 years. We’ll probably just have chips on wristwatches or in our heads.
Every eatery serves the latest craze — desserts with bacon, catfish croquettes, kiwi cocktails. But soon the fad fades, and the flavor of the week will settle into obscurity.
For fall fun get lost in a corn maze, go for a hayride or take a hot-air balloon ride. How about renting a cabin in the mountains or tailgating at football games? The latest wacky fad is banning automobile parking on city streets. You see cars are just a passing fad. Then again I’m going to start writing letters again once the email fad passes.
— Glen Richardson
by Valley Gadfly | Aug 1, 2014 | Valley Gadfly
Gee whiz it’s August already. Isn’t that just peachy-keen? That’s the Valley’s summer idiom for super duper and hunky dory! For residents it is the hey-day time of year full of joy, harmony and the taste of peaches. In addition to being the season when laziness finally finds respectability it also just happens to be National Peach Month.
It is also Happiness Happens Month so don’t tell the kids that August is Back to School Month. They’ll be cool just knowing August is the last of the summer months.
Here are our peachy-keen choices for shopping, dining and entertainment to keep you enjoying the birds and the trees and summer’s sweet scented summer breezes:
3 Like a juicy peach, you’ll enjoy the uplifting story with music that soars as Central City Opera brings The Sound of Music to the Ellie Caulkins Opera House Aug. 2-10, shows at 2 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. Information: 303-296-6700.
3 Celebration Community Garden’s 2nd Farm to Table Dinner will be as luscious and tasty as peaches Aug.9, 6:30 p.m. Information: 303-745-1148.
3 Your dog will be swell, dandy and spiffy during PetAid’s Woof Fest in Civic Center Park, Aug. 17, 12-6 p.m. Information: 303-318-0447.
3 Looking to spot a cool design idea? Attend the Architecture & Art Gala in the Design District Aug. 21, 4:30 to 8 p.m. Information: 303-777-6007.
3 You’ll be keen on the selection and prices for brand name designer frames and lenses at Optical Masters on South Monaco Pkwy. Their 25th birthday blowout sale is the real deal, banana peel. Information: 303-377-0751.
3 Grub is delicious, beer refreshing and the music uplifting on the Inn at Cherry Creek’s rooftop finale Aug. 22, 5 p.m. Information: 303-377-8577.
3 Honoring hometown heroes is a peachy keen thing so join Barnes & Noble as they honor Glendale’s heroes Aug. 23, 10 a.m. Information: 303-691-2998.
3 For a peachy twist, take the Urban Homestead Tour to see goats, chickens and bees raised in an array of spaces, 10 a.m. Information: 720-865-3580.
3 Everyone is coming from near and far on the sweet summer weekend of Aug. 15-17 to attend Glendale’s Rugbytown Sevens Tournament. It starts with Free Fan Friday. Stay in the game Saturday for Bruises & Brews to taste 15 craft beers. Then Sunday debuts the Taste of Glendale with 10 eateries serving, 12-4 p.m. Information: www.rugbytown usa.com/srs.
August rushes by like desert rainfall, a flood of frenzied commotion and mayhem. Even though expected, it still catches us unprepared. Like a match flame, it bursts on the scene with heat and stunning crimson sunsets. There is no such thing as bad weather in August, merely different kinds of weather. Open the window and let the air fill the room.
Clouds gather in small huddles to discuss the weather. It is the month when we take pleasure in a cool rain. The related wind braces us up for likely thunderstorms ahead.
The word “peachy” means fine or excellent and doubling it, makes it into a superlative by adding the word “keen” as a suffix. Kids have been using rhyming idioms since the 1930s: Remember: What’s the deal, Banana Peel? Or, What’s cookin’, good lookin’? To which we must ask, is it a peach pie? After all, I’m the boss, applesauce!
— Glen Richardson
The Valley Gadfly can be reached at newspaper@glendalecherrycreek.com.
by Valley Gadfly | May 27, 2014 | Valley Gadfly
This may be coming from left field but then this is the time of year when we like to march to the beat of a different drum. With warm weather finally upon us our thoughts turn to creatures that symbolize the sights and sounds of summer including those creepy-crawly June bugs that come out in late spring that we find on our doorsteps.
Maybe you haven’t seen them yet but you are sure to recognize June bugs because they are the size of a Volkswagen with a hyperactive personality and really sticky legs.
Here are our choices for shopping, dining and entertainment to create fair and pleasant summer days without being bugged by mosquitoes, bees and other June critters.
3 A sure sign that summer salad days are here is the opening of the Cherry Creek Fresh Market, May 31-Oct. 25. More than 100 growers and other vendors sell their produce and other products at 1st Ave. and University on Saturdays, 8 a.m. to 1 p.m.
3 Summer tabletop settings, a delectable tea, plus a garden and herb sale await those attending this year’s Tea & Treasurers event, June 5-7. The Assistance League of Denver event is at the Bosworth House, 10 a.m-3 p.m. Information: 303-322-5205.
3 Enjoy the great outdoors while sampling wine during the Colorado Urban Winefest at the Infinity Park Festival Plaza June 7, noon-5 p.m. Information: 970-464-0111.
3 Nothing makes a bigger summer splash than a coat of paint and Ireland’s Finest is again giving the lucky winner a free exterior painting of their home. To nominate someone deserving, go to the contest website: www.irelandsfinestinc.com.
3 June brings a special treat to art lovers, the Art Student League’s annual Summer Art Market on Grant St. around the school, June 7-8, 10 a.m. Information: 303-778-6990.
3 See classic cars, enjoy music as you sail into summer at the Cruzin’ Havana Car Show & Poker Run on Havana, June 14, 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Information: 303-360-7505.
3 Make the Inn at Cherry Creek your beer, bluegrass and grub hub this summer. Enjoy free entry with just $5 food and drink tickets as stars entertain on the hotel’s Rooftop Terrace June 27, July 25 and Aug. 22, from 5 to 9 p.m. Information: 303-377-8577.
3 Be smart and do as so many other Cherry Creek Valley families do and plan your Independence Day celebrations around the City of Glendale’s mega fireworks show. The powerful display of pyrotechnics will flicker across the skies on July 3rd at dusk. Gather at eateries, bars, patios and porches to view the dazzling aerial display, one of the Valley’s oldest and largest. Information: 303-759-1513.
The June bug, of course, is a type of beetle. Scientists have described more than 350,000 species, with many more undoubtedly undiscovered. They are about 40 percent of known insect species with the most diversity of any animal on earth. While they don’t serenade us like crickets, June beetles will squeal when you pick them up.
Some of the largest June bugs can be found in populated Southwest cities like Santa Fe, Albuquerque, and a bit surprisingly in Denver and the Cherry Creek Valley.
We interrupt our June bugs tribute for this special reminder: The Cartoon Network ran its first 48-hour marathon of Bugs Bunny’s June bug cartoons in 1993. They aired again last year on June 22-23. Shishkabugs: Now you likely recall that when you cross an insect with a rabbit you got the animated antics of Bugs Bunny!
— Glen Richardson
The Valley Gadfly can be reached at newspaper@glendalecherrycreek.com.
by Valley Gadfly | May 27, 2014 | Glendale City News
by Glen Richardson
When the Glendale Raptors and San Francisco Golden Gate went toe to toe in the deciding clash of the inaugural Pacific Rugby Premiership season at Infinity Park May 17, it produced a match the likes of which even the best script writers couldn’t conjure up. Accompanying incredibly good rugby was a stack of subplots together with a controversial referee call that kept the huge crowd on the edge of their seats until
the final whistle.
There have been some monumental rugby games here — the Collegiate All-Stars, two Churchill Cups, and the North American Four among others — but none that have created more excitement and drama highlighted by bruising hits and jaw dropping tries. There were five lead changes during the 80-minute contest, but despite an up-and-under try by Glendale Center Chad London in the waning minutes, the Raptors came up one point short, 39-38.
Making the game all the more remarkable is that the Raptors were ranked at the bottom of the Pacific League’s power rankings at the start of the season. Going into the playoff, however, the Raptors were ranked number one with an 11-1 record, two games ahead of San Francisco. In their previous match-ups during the season they were tied with a win apiece.
Seesaw Action Game
Despite San Francisco’s early domination, Glendale moved surreptitiously back into the game with two quick bang-bang scores due to Golden Gate penalties. Fullback Dustin Croy scored first compliments of convincing decoy runs from Centers Landon and Justin Pauga. Then Pauga scored again after bouncing off a Golden Gate player at the try line and the Raptors had erased SF’s lead. Just as San Francisco threatened to score again, flanker Spencer Scott poached the ball and passed off to wing Bret Willis who scampered down field to score. With the conversion good, Glendale had a 24-15 halftime lead.
A nifty scramble by Golden Gate had them within inches of the try line to open the second period. On the next play San Francisco scored but the conversion was missed leaving the Raptors up 24-20. A penalty on the Raptors followed by big SF runs plus an easy conversion put them up 27-24. Kicking the restart deep Golden Gate cleared its lines with a boot. Glendale’s Croy committed two defenders and passed to Preston Bryant who moved downfield and passed to London. Following broken tackles and a ruck, Scot took the ball untouched for anther Glendale score. Graham converted and the Raptors were back on top 31-27 with 30 minutes remaining. Golden Gate hit back within minutes with a quick try to get revenge and back into the game. The conversion was missed, but they had reclaimed the lead 32-31.
Just as quickly Glendale’s Croy dotted down in touch. Believing Glendale had gone ahead for good, players and fans went delirious with excitement. After watching two video reviews, however, the points were wiped off the scoreboard as referees ruled that while Croy did dot down, he was touched before he could do so. With five minutes to go Glendale was caught playing the ball in a ruck. SF kicked the penalty to the corner and took a lineout. With a short plunge and conversion they were up 39-31. Down eight points with less than five minutes to play, Mike Graham chipped a kick over the defense and reserve wing Max Statler gathered the ball and passed to London who raced in for a Glendale score. With a penalty following the kickoff, the Raptors kicked for a lineout inside SF’s 22. Glendale won the set piece but Graham opted to grubber down one point and San Francisco scooped up the ball and kicked it to touch to end the game.
by Valley Gadfly | May 27, 2014 | Main Articles
The jaw-dropping Glendale Fireworks — considered the Valley’s premier Fourth of July display — will again light up the Valley Basin on July 3.
One of the oldest and largest in the area, the powerful display of pyrotechnics has become a Cherry Creek Valley Independence Day tradition. Families and friends gather at eateries, bars, patios and porches from LoDo to the Dam to view the dazzling aerial display. The mega fireworks show will flicker across the skies at dusk (generally between 9 and 9:30 p.m.)
Best places to watch the mesmerizing fireworks are north of Virginia, south of Cherry Creek Drive South, west of Colorado Boulevard and east of Cherry Street. Many families gather in and around the parking lots at CitySet and at Whole Foods for close-in viewing. The City of Glendale sponsors the fireworks show. Rain date is July 26. Information: 303-759-1513 or www. glendale.co.us.
