by Glendale Sports Center | Apr 21, 2022 | Glendale City News
by Amanda-Scates Preisinger, MPH
Senior Director of Health and Well-Being, YMCA of Metro Denver
Mental health is how we think, feel, and act. Throughout our lives, our mental health is influenced by the environments around us. When these environments are stressful, we try to cope — sometimes in ways that help and sometimes in ways that harm.
Over the past two years, we have all had to live in stressful environments with COVID-19 and social isolation. The impact on our youth has been particularly staggering with a recent CDC-published study indicating that more than 1 in 3 high school students experienced poor mental health during the pandemic. Now more than ever, we all need a safe and healthy environment that supports our mental health, an environment where the community spends time together, has fun and feels connected to one another.
We at the YMCA of Metro Denver are committed to providing that welcoming and transformative home away from home that we all need right now. As we recognize Mental Health Awareness Month, your local Y is offering a number of workshops and experiences to promote mental health in our community. From mindful yoga and stress management to wellness seminars and fly fishing, there are opportunities for everyone to care for their spirit, mind, and body. Our team members are committed to supporting the mental health of every person we connect with.
While our role at the Y is centered around community care through supportive relationships, positive skill building, and empowerment, we also recognize that we all have different needs when it comes to mental health. By partnering with non-profit organizations and government agencies across the Denver Metro, we at the Y are working to ensure that we can connect anyone with the programming, resources, and support they need.
We know that mental health is a continuum, and our aim is that our programs and services help the community cope with stress, be productive, and contribute in a meaningful way to their families, workplaces, and communities. When adults are healthy, motivated, and socially connected, they contribute to stronger communities. When we support the mental health of youth, they have a greater ability to overcome obstacles, develop fulfilling relationships, adapt to change, and realize their potential.
When we promote the mental health and wellness of each other, that creates a safer and healthier community for us all.
To learn more about our mental health workshops, events and resources at the Y, please visit denverymca.org/mentalhealth.
by Peter Boyles | Apr 21, 2022 | Blasting with Boyles
There was a time in very recent history when Denver was known as the Queen city of the Plains, with incredibly low crime rates, wonderful parks and open space, a thriving downtown, safe streets, no gangs, great schools, respected police, and most of us held the government in esteem. Sure, there were minor problems and sure people from time to time would speak out, but by and large whether they were Democrats or Republicans (and there used to be Republicans in Denver) people respected the city, the state, and the system.
Now let me tell you a joke.
On a Native American reservation, a fat cat blow hard U. S. Senator arrives to solve the problems of the native people. When speaking to their leader the senator asked what kind of help did he need from the federal government?
“First,” the man replied, “We need clean water.” The senator immediately went into a huddle with his aides and briefcase carriers and minions and started screaming into his cell phone that he needed water filtration systems and he needed it now.
He went back to the native man and said, “All of this is on the way. What’s your second problem?” The Indian man said, “Medical care.” Again, the senator retreated into the huddle with his little delegates from D.C., starts screaming into his cell phone and demands loudly medical care, and staff and his traveling companions from D.C. gazed on him with adoring eyes.
He returns to the chief and says, “By the end of the week there will be doctors and nurses here and next year at this time there will be a hospital. What’s your third issue?” And the chief responded, “Cell service.”
Now, can you find the elephants and the giraffes and butterflies in that picture? Of course. How many years now did Webb, Peña, Ritter, Hickenlooper, Owens, and Hancock tell you next week this time there’s going to be clean water, doctors, and all will be well. Are you starting to understand? Are you just so conditioned to being lied to by a combination of the media, Republicans and Democrats, bureaucrats, and law firms? Have you finally had enough?
There is a pending election but like most they will promise you fresh water, medical care and, of course, cell service.
by Valley Gadfly | Apr 21, 2022 | Valley Gadfly
It’s May! It’s May! The Merry Month of May! Hurray, there is finally spring in our step. Flowers are blooming, birds chirping, gardens growing, and we can begin entertaining outside.
May is the closest we get to paradise here on earth. As the days lengthen, sunny days outshine the cloudy ones, and we can finally put the snow shovels and heavy blankets away.
To help you spring forth, here are our choices for shopping, dining, and entertainment so you’ll have time to celebrate, reflect, plant, play, and rejoice in all the month has to offer:
3 Start May by joining Denver Kids for their breakfast May 3 in the Seawell Ballroom, registration at 6:45 a.m., program 7:30 a.m. You’ll be helping Denver Public School students succeed. Information: denverkids.org./breakfast.
3 Start your spring garden early by going shopping at the annual Spring Plant Sale at Denver Botanic Gardens, May 6-7, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Information: 720-865-3500.
3 You’ll make May memorable by attending Denver Young Artists New Morning for the World at Boettcher Concert Hall, 2:30 p.m. Information:303-893-4100.
3 Keep May very merry by enjoying Fabled Journey’s mystical music concert at the Wash Park Center for Music, May 14, 7:15 p.m. Information: 917-771-0433.
3 Monaco Inn Restaurant has been a perennial favorite for families on Mother’s Day by blending Greek and American styles. Serving specials plus full Greek & American menu Mom will love, May 8, 3 to 9 p.m. Information: 303-320-1104.
3 Make your home and building’s interior and exterior sparkle this spring by calling Emerald Isle Painting. In business for 20 years they offer expert experience, providing both high quality work and products. Information: 303-322-4753.
3 Don’t miss the Colorado Symphony and Cleo Parker Robinson Dance Ensemble’s tribute to its founder at Boettcher, May 20, 7:30 p.m. Information: 720-389-6203.
3 Take the family to see work for sale during Denver Arts Festival at Central Park’s Conservatory Green, May 28-29, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Information: 303-330-8237.
3 Volunteer to participate in Colorado Uplift’s one-day May 7 event to impact communities and schools through a variety of service projects. This year you, your family, colleagues, friends, and neighbors will be able to choose which project site they would like to help at. Sites will be announced by the time you receive the Chronicle. Just one day of volunteering will significantly help Valley schools and communities. Information: coloradouplift.org/big-lift.
May is this year’s — and each year’s — most exclusive month when it comes to days of the week. No other month in a single year starts or finishes on the same weekend as does May.
Whether it’s World Press Freedom Day or National Buttermilk Biscuit Day, there’s something official for you to celebrate every single day throughout the month of May.
The end of May means “longer days, more time to sit and watch the pendulum swing,” sings Michael Buble. Just MAY-be his Crazy Love song hits the right chord.
— Glen Richardson
The Valley Gadfly can be reached at newspaper@glendalecherrycreek.com.
by Mark Smiley | Apr 4, 2022 | Valley Gadfly
Jared Grant in Tootsie Photo Credit: Teg Folks
Reinvents 40 year Old Movie with Fresh Perspective and Laugh Out Loud Moments
By Mark Smiley
Tootsie opened on March 29 2022 at the Buell Theater with laugh out loud funny moments and a modern twist on a classic Hollywood movie. Robert Horn’s book in particular tries to bring the film’s dated gender politics into the 21st century without necessarily rewriting the original film’s plot wholesale. Julie Nichols’s character was more confident than she was in the 1982 movie, Michael Dorsey’s character did not hit on every woman in sight, and say goodbye to gay panic. The musical is a fresh take on classic movie.
Tootsie is a musical comedy with music and lyrics by David Yazbek and a book by Robert Horn. The musical is based on the 1982 American comedy film of the same name written by Larry Gelbart, Barry Levinson (uncredited), Elaine May (uncredited) and Murray Schisgal from the story by Gelbart and Don McGuire. The musical made its world premiere try-out at the Cadillac Palace Theatre in Chicago in September 2018. Like the film, the musical tells the story of a talented but volatile actor, Michael Dorsey, whose reputation for being difficult forces him to adopt a new identity as a woman in order to land a job. The original movie revolved around a daytime soap opera, while the show involves a Broadway musical. His one show-stopping act of desperation lands him the role of a lifetime – as the star of a new Broadway musical.
TOOTSIE features an original score by 2018 Tony Award-winner David Yazbek (The Band’s Visit, The Full Monty, Dirty Rotten Scoundrels) and the book by Robert Horn (13; Dame Edna, Back with a Vengeance). The comedy in this musical flows smoothly
and the secret is more than the book; it’s the songs. Mr. Yazbek is one of the few composer-lyricists working today who can set jokes to music and make them pay.
The company is led by Drew Becker as Michael Dorsey, Ashley Alexandra as Julie Nichols, Tony Payton Reilly as Sandy Lester, Lukas James Miller as Max Van Horn, Jared David Michael Grant as Jeff Slater, Kathy Halenda as Rita Marshall, Steve Brustien as Stan Fields, and Adam Du Plessis as Ron Carlisle. The cast competently trekked through the musical numbers and kept the audience engaged. Jared David Michael Grant who played Dorsey’s roommate, Jeff Slater, has been with the production since September 2021. His training as a musical theater major in Chicago and his work on the Showtime series, The Chi, prepared him for this show stopping role. His acting, one liners, and facial expressions made an otherwise enjoyable show, a hit.
Tootsie runs through April 10 2022 at the Buell Theater. For tickets, visit www.dcpa.org.
