by Jessica Hughes | Mar 21, 2023 | Main Articles
by Jessica Hughes
The Glendale rugby team, American Raptors, has returned to the U.S. to continue its season at Infinity Park Stadium in Glendale.
When the Colorado Raptors withdrew from Major League Rugby back in April 2020, the direction of the team was unknown. Now, as of fall 2021, the Raptors brand returned after the club announced the decision to transition from the Colorado XOs to the American Raptors.
The American Raptors is a team of cross-over athletes from all different athletic backgrounds learning to play the sport of rugby. The intention for creating this team is to help build out a talent pool of American rugby players that can eventually be recruited to play American rugby in the U.S.A. Rugby World Cup.
But not just anyone can join. General Manager Peter Pasque runs a sort of boots-on-the-ground campaign recruiting a pipeline of non-traditional rugby players from across the nation. The invite-only roster has seen some success stories with athletes such as David Still, who played college football and joined the Colorado XOs team for eight months and will now play in the 2024 Olympic rugby team.
This will be the first season the American Raptors will play in the Super Rugby Americas League, which officially launched in 2019 as SLAR. The competition is made up of seven franchises focused on the development of rugby players. The league is made entirely of teams from South America, with the American Raptors as the only team from North America. Other firsts to join this year in the competition include two franchises from Argentina, and one each from Brazil, Chile, Paraguay, and Uruguay. Colombian players will also participate in the continental tournament.
The league competition began February 18, 2023, and will conclude June 9. The Raptors split their time between playing in South America — where they have been the last two months — and at Glendale’s Infinity Park.
Their home opener concluded March 24 against Dogos, with five more home matches lined up, before ending the season in South America. If they advance, the post-season will take pla
ce the first two weeks of June with the final match played in Uraguay.
Infinity Park is a fun venue to enjoy the fast-paced game of rugby. Come out and see some big hits, meet the players, and support the Raptors. Tickets are $10 and children 12 and under are free.
For more about the American Raptors visit them at americanraptors.com or on social media, @Ameri canRaptors. Games are broadcast on ESPN+.
Photos by Sebastian Miranda of Gaspafotos
by Mark Smiley | Mar 21, 2023 | Travel
by Michael Wheaton
Bullets Then Brews: Bullets then Brews co-host Ian Jouett, left, poses with Hilary Walsh.
Outdoor Practice: Hilary Walsh shoots at an outdoor gun range using a suppressor.
Selected as Luxury Agent of the Year by Homeowner Magazine, Hilary Walsh is making headlines in her brief three and a half years as a broker associate. The former cosmetologist has always had a lifelong passion for real estate and had been flipping houses that she lived in for the past 20 years. In 2019, she decided to give up her career in luxury hospitality, obtain a real estate license, and use her passion for helping others in a rewarding new career.
Driven by the success she creates for her clients, Walsh is highly competitive and creative in her strategies, driven by the ultimate goal of creating lifelong experiences for families to enjoy the home and lifestyle of their dreams. “Put people first, and the business will follow,” she says.
Walsh’s mission of putting people first has been the catalyst for her success. In her brief career as a real estate agent. She has received numerous honors, including:
- Being named the Fastest Growing Agent Award 2021 by Homesnap,
- Featured on the cover of Real Producers Magazine in May 2022, and
- Was recently highlighted on the cover of Denver Homeowner Magazine for her 2022 Luxury Agent of the Year Award.
In Walsh’s opinion, real estate is one of the hardest industries in which to build a thriving and successful career. Although real estate is sometimes viewed as a glamourized industry to make “easy money” without actually having to work much, Walsh knows that in reality agents generally work seven days per week, are on-call at all hours of the day, and can’t be afraid to get their hands dirty. However, she also knows that if you are self-motivated, real estate can allow an amazing freedom in how one wants to shape one’s career.
Accolades aside, Hilary’s passion for people expands well beyond her career. The 44-year-old mother of two is also actively involved in her community. She supports L&D Gives, a local non-profit that assists the homeless community, co-hosts the annual Ferrari of Denver Christmas Toy Drive to benefit the Rocky Mountain Hospital for Children, is involved with various programs for first responders, and she recently started “Bullets then Brews” events to help instruct women and others how to use firearms safely to protect themselves and their families. Her motivation to develop firearm skills and safety events arose from a plethora of concerns expressed by her clients regarding a spike in crime during the pandemic.
“During the pandemic, I had countless people reach out to me (especially women) who didn’t feel safe,” said Hilary Walsh. “They were waking up to news of gunshots and break-ins in their formerly peaceful neighborhoods. They wanted to be able to protect themselves and their families. I now work with a great number of people in law enforcement, including Darren Weekly, the new Douglas County Sheriff.”
Growing up in Northern Michigan, Walsh was accustomed to shooting firearms, albeit mostly for sport. However, she understood that for many, shooting firearms, especially for protection, was somewhat new to her clients and friends. She wanted to find a fun and exciting way to teach others how to use firearms safely while also having fun. That is when she developed the id
Target Practice: Hilary Walsh tries out multiple rifles during indoor target practice.
ea of “Bullets then Brews,” a quasi networking event which brings together people who want to acquire shooting skills while being able to meet like-minded people for libations after shooting at the gun range. Her primary goal was to make sure it was done in a safe manner, as pairing booze and guns is dangerous. That is when she stumbled upon The Gallery Sportsman’s Club and Range (The Gallery) — a 20,000-square-foot shooting facility near the Colorado Mills Mall in Lakewood, Colorado.
Opened in April 2022, The Gallery boasts two fully immersive shooting bays with seven 25-yard-long gun-ready lanes and eight 20-yard entirely tactical lanes, along with a restaurant and lounge. The restaurant, aptly named the Barrel Room, offers typical bar-food fare like nachos, flatbread, and burgers, along with a full bar. But before entering the Barrel Room, patrons are required to secure any firearm in their car or in the facility’s complimentary valet lockers. A
Ready And Aim: Hilary Walsh takes aim at an indoor gun range.
government-issued ID also must be presented. Each ID is scanned and sent to the range, ensuring that no one can shoot after sipping. In fact, after checking in at the Barrel Room, customers cannot use the range for the remainder of the day.
In addition to the restaurant and lounge, The Gallery has the Trigger Press coffee shop, and also a retail store the sells firearms, ammunition, as well as outdoor supplies like coolers, camping gear, and hunting and fishing licenses.
“We’re trying to build a place that is welcoming and friendly for families,” said Megan Hymanson, The Gallery co-founder and operations director. Hymanson, along with her husband Mark, a Marine Corps veteran, are the primary owners of The Gallery, making it a woman and veteran-owned business.
“The fact that this is a women-owned business makes it even more fitting,” said Walsh. “Given the amenities, The Gallery is certainly the ideal place to host the Bullets then Brews events.” It offers the use of a selection of 80 firearms to choose from for rental, or you may bring your own firearm. Staff is available for assistance.
Appetizers and non-alcoholic beverages are provided during shooting time, with drinks and dinner available afterward in The Gallery’s on-site restaurant.
Bullets and Brews is sponsored by Hilary Walsh of @milehimodern; Ian Jouett of @ kingofthemortgagejungle; George Rock of @rockthebankofdenver; and Josh Miller and Brian Renkema of Elk Point Construction.
by Valley Gadfly | Mar 21, 2023 | Valley Gadfly
Ahoy: All hail the wettest month of the year. April is famous for May flowers and the second-most popular chocolate holiday of the year. Bees buzzing, flowers blooming, birds singing.
But April is more than just rain and Easter-Passover, and there are a bunch of parents with a daughter named April to prove it. No foolin’, the namings are not April Fools’ Day pranks.
Here are our April shower choices for shopping, dining, and entertainment so you can sing of brooks, of blossoms, birds, and of bowers due to the lure of April days despite rivers of rain:
3 Get in the holiday hunt by taking the kids to Glendale Sports Center’s annual Easter Egg Hunt at Infinity Park Turf Field April 1, 10 a.m. Information: 303-639-4711.
3 Swing into spring at the Colorado Rockies Home Opener when they play the Washington Nationals at Coors Field April 6, 2:10 p.m. Information: 303-292-0200.
3 Swing and sway as saxophonist Peter Stoltzman plays tunes from new album Spiraling Inward at Dazzle@Baur’s April 12, 7 p.m. Information: 303-839-5100.
3 Join Colorado Symphony and singer Randy Jackson for concert of Pink Floyd music at Boettcher Concert Hall April 15, 7:30 p.m. Information: 303-623-7876.
3 For a storied good time, book time each month on Tuesday for Family Fun Hour at The Bookies, 4:30 p.m. Hours from top of month: Spanish Hour, Family Book Club, Musical Story Time & Fun Game Hour. Store is on Mississippi Ave. in Glendale. Information: 303-759-1117.
3 Just named best regional bank and best for customer service by GoBakingRates, trust MidFirst Bank to help you, your family, and business reach financial goals. Offices in Cherry Creek and on S. Colorado Blvd. offer personalized service, trained staff. Information: 303-376-3800.
3 Catch Denim & Diamonds country music artist Nikki Lane as she entertains at the Bluebird Theatre April 17, 8 p.m. Information: 303-377-1666.
3 Actor, comedian, and vocalist Colleen Ballinger — known for Miranda Sings — entertains at the Paramount April 20, 7:30 p.m. Information: 303-623-0106.
3 Clarinetist Anthony McGill’s Pacifica Quartet perform the Brahms Clarinet Quintet at the Newman Center April 26, 7:30 p.m. Information: 303-871-7720.
3 Enjoy an evening of music, dancing, food, and drink at Swallow Hill Music’s annual mini music festival taking place this year at the venue on E. Yale Ave. April 15, 6 to 10 p.m. Known as “One Epic Night,” event features bands, beers, bites, and boogie for a cause. This year’s edition will feature several bands on three stages entertaining with blues, bluegrass, jazz, rock and roll, folk, and more. Featuring lots of dancing, proceeds from ticket sales, donations, sponsorship, and silent auction items will help finance music therapy, school enrichment events, concerts, and early childhood music education programs for Swallow Hill’s city-wide community programs. Information: 303-777-1003.
Denver’s April weather will be warmer than usual, but with above-normal precipitation. Month averages 2.56 inches of rain, but one in four is wetter. Single day downpour record is 6.47 inches.
In the last 30 years, April has been one of three snowiest months. However, April 2022 tied for the fourth least snowy on record. It’s been 30 years since Denver had an April with no snowfall.
Rain or shine, cultivate joy, it’s in short supply. Get outside, plant flowers, have a picnic. Remember, a true friend is someone who thinks you’re a good egg, even if you’re cracked.
— Glen Richardson
The Valley Gadfly can be reached at newspaper@glendalecherrycreek.com.
by Ashe in America | Mar 21, 2023 | Feature Story Bottom Left
On Wednesday, March 8, 2023, Senator Julie Gonzales (@SenadoraJulie) tweeted:
“Current POV: I am in the Senate State Affairs committee today, where we will be hearing three bills designed to prevent gun violence from harming our communities. It’ll be a long day, but I couldn’t be prouder.”
What a hero! Preventing gun violence in our communities is important.
We must fight to increase firearm education and access, reducing irrational fear and ensuring our armed society can function safely. We must eliminate the “gun-free” zones that make unprotected targets of our most vulnerable populations. We must prosecute criminals that commit gun violence to the fullest extent of the law.
Because the Second Amendment protects our right to self defense, let’s make our American armed society safe, Senator!
Now, let’s look at those bills.
SB23-170: EXTREME RISK PROTECTION ORDER PETITIONS
This bill expands red flag laws.
“The bill expands the list of who can petition for an extreme risk protection order to include licensed medical care providers, licensed mental health-care providers, licensed educators, and district attorneys.”
If SB23-170 passes, the government can declare you at extreme risk via the district attorney and separate you from your firearms. But wait, there’s more!
We’re paying for “a public education campaign regarding the availability of, and the process for requesting, an extreme risk protection order.” But we won’t educate people about firearms.
SB23-168: GUN VIOLENCE VICTIMS’ ACCESS TO JUDICIAL SYSTEM
This bill expands people’s ability to sue “firearm industry members” if their loved ones are killed by firearms. That worked so well with tobacco companies.
“Current law limits product liability actions against manufacturers of firearms and ammunition to situations in which there was a defect in the design or manufacture of a firearm or ammunition. The bill repeals that limitation.”
They declare that “firearm industry members” are those “engaged in the manufacture, distribution, importation, marketing, or wholesale or retail sale” of firearms.
SB23-169: INCREASING MINIMUM AGE TO PURCHASE FIREARMS
The final bill on the agenda for Gonzales’ hearing raises the age to purchase, possess, sell, or transfer a firearm from 18 to 21.
Think about that. My 18-year-old son can die for Ukraine, gun in hand, but he would be prohibited from defending himself or his family at home.
Inexplicably, they also reduce the penalties for selling firearms to minors, from a class 4 Felony to a class 2 Misdemeanor. This is like the formula for the war on drugs.
IS THIS ALL FOR SHOW?
HB23-1230: PROHIBIT ASSAULT WEAPONS IN COLORADO
From my view, these bills are a distraction from the one that makes it a crime to own a firearm.
No big deal. It’s for your safety. Also, the bill does not apply to the military, government, and peace officers because they need to — and totally will — protect you once they take your firearms away. Just look at history. That’s always what happens.
“The bill defines the term “assault weapon” and prohibits a person from manufacturing, importing, purchasing, selling, offering to sell, or transferring ownership of an assault weapon.”
The definition focuses on firearm features of both long guns and handguns.
“Assault weapons are uniquely lethal due to tactical features that are designed for the battlefield in order to injure or kill large numbers of people quickly and efficiently. These tactical features differentiate assault weapons from other firearms. These features include detachable magazines, barrel shrouds, pistol grips, forward grips, and telescoping stocks, which allow a shooter to either conceal the weapon or make it easier to fire a high volume of ammunition in a short period of time while maintaining accuracy.”
Why do we allow Gonzales and the Colorado Communists to openly infringe upon our inalienable rights?
Why do we tolerate the proud and public collapse of the oath in another unwinnable war?
These bills will likely pass through committee and may even become law. Obviously, then legal challenges will commence all the way to the U.S. Supreme Court, and ultimately, they will be ruled unconstitutional.
If that doesn’t happen, then the Constitution of the United States is no longer active. May the odds be ever in your favor.
Either way, the lawyers will make a fortune. They always do.
Ashe Epp is a writer and election integrity activist. Read her work at asheinamerica.com and follow her on Telegram and other socials @asheinamerica.
