by Mark Smiley | Nov 19, 2021 | Main Articles
by Mark Smiley
Looking for a unique holiday gift idea? Longtime Glendale Chamber Ambassador Laura Lieff wrote a book called Wookie Is Not His Real Name which provides a comprehensive look into snowboard culture through the eyes of a local legend and his community. The biography also illuminates how the life-altering circumstances of a professional athlete were handled with heart and humor. Following a career-ending injury, after which he was told he would never walk again, Wookie endured severe physical, mental, and emotional lows that changed the trajectory of his life. Exemplifying his strength and determination, he pushed through to make it back on his feet and back on a board.
The book is easy to ship and the perfect gift for anyone interested in reading about Colorado snowboard history, sports, family, local lore, Vail Valley culture, fatherhood, coming back from an injury, the outdoors, professional snowboarding, and snowskating, among other topics.
Lieff says, “My goal with this book was to demonstrate how far Wookie has come and how he clawed his way back to the top with courage, grace, and a lot of heart. The biography also shows that even with all the press and praise he’s received throughout the years for snowboarding, and his overall outdoorsmanship, being a father is his greatest achievement.”
Before moving to the Vail Valley in 2013, Lieff was an editor for the Glendale Cherry Creek Chronicle and a Glendale resident for seven years. She now runs her own business, Lieff Ink, and is a writing tutor at Colorado Mountain College and Vail Mountain School. On Friday nights she hosts a radio show on 107.9 Radio Free Minturn.
Wookie Is Not His Real Name can be found in bookstores and retail locations throughout Colorado, including The Bookies. For more information on the book, or to purchase online, visit www.lauralieff.com /book.
by Glendale Sports Center | Nov 19, 2021 | Glendale City News
Here Are 3 Tips To Stay Balanced
by Jennifer Lease, RD, CDN, Director of Nutrition Initiatives, YMCA of Metro Denver
Are thoughts of all the holiday sweets and treats causing you stress?
Do you feel like you can’t enjoy your favorite holiday foods when you’re working on your health?
Are you worried that what you eat during the holidays will throw off progress toward your goals?
You’re not alone!
The holiday season is a time of celebration that usually comes with lots of sweets, treats and traditional dishes that feel indulgent. It can be difficult to find balance during the holidays — wanting to enjoy all the foods you love while being mindful of your health.
You might hear that word balance and feel frustrated by it. What does it even mean? Balance means enjoying nutritious foods most of the time, while giving yourself grace (and space) to enjoy those sweets and treats.
So, how can you find that balance during the holidays and enjoy your favorite foods without the side order of guilt? Here are some tips:
- Balance your plate and practice portion control — You can enjoy a bit of everything with some balance and portion control. Plus, you’ll feel better after the meal, too! The basics of a balanced plate include protein, veggies, and a starch or grain. Try filling half of your plate with veggie dishes and then take a smaller portion of the others you want to try. Holiday dishes tend to be heavy, starchy foods, so don’t forget to add some protein like turkey or chicken to your plate to create that balance. Then, enjoy every bite!
- Move your body — Move your body, not because you think you should make up for eating those holiday treats, but because movement makes you feel good both physically and mentally. Movement can set a positive mindset for the day and the after affect is the feeling of doing something good for your body. Movement also helps with digestion. If you’re feeling super stuffed after a holiday meal, some exercise can help you feel better. Remember, it’s important to find exercise that you enjoy and that truly feels good for you. Exercise is often looked at as punishment for eating “badly,” but it’s really part of a healthy lifestyle that contributes to your overall well-being.
- Remember that every day is a new day — A healthy lifestyle should be sustainable. This means having flexibility and leaving space for the foods you enjoy. You don’t need to “compensate” for what you eat at the holidays. You don’t need to work out for three hours the next day to make up for last night’s meal. Instead, make the intentional choice to enjoy what you want and to be present in the holiday season. Each day is an opportunity to get back on track with your regular eating habits and routine.
Do you want to take the guesswork out of nutrition and work to set realistic healthy lifestyle goals? The nutrition team at the YMCA of Metro Denver can help. Reach out at nutrition@denverymca.org or visit us at denverymca.org.
by Valley Gadfly | Nov 19, 2021 | Valley Gadfly
Brrr! The Old Farmers’ Almanac comes with a winter warning for Denver and all of Colorado: Prepare for a “Season of Shivers.” With a record of 80% accurate forecasts since 1792, the Almanac says things west of Denver may not see as much snow as the Front Range and plains but, “Coloradans should have their coats handy all winter.” Denver typically has at least an inch of snow on the ground for 12 days this month. The snow normally accumulates to five inches or deeper on another two days.
To warm your heart even if the weather is not, here are our choices for shopping, dining, and entertainment so the holidays’ harmony stays in your heart all year round:
3 Catch the season’s spirit by taking the family to hear baritone opera singer Bret Thom, entertain compliments of Heaven Creamery on Milwaukee St. in Cherry Creek North, Dec. 2 and 9, 5-7 p.m. Information: 303-635-6779.
3 Let the Jingle Bells rock by attending the White Christmas Ball at the Hyatt Convention Center on Dec. 3-4, 4 p.m. Information: 1940sball.org.
3 Enjoy the Sound of the Rockies a cappella chorus playing Holiday Harmony at the Newman Center Dec. 11, 2 & 7:30 p.m. Information: 303-335-0825.
3 Feel the vibrations as the Colorado Symphony Brass play ballads, carols, and movie tunes at Boettcher Hall Dec. 14, 7 p.m. Information: 303-893-4200.
3 To find the perfect holiday gift this season, shop Morgan Sonsthagen Jewelry located on South Downing St. near Wash Park since 1977. Select from custom jewelry plus ventage and antique jewels. Information: 303-733-1710.
3 Head to On Havana Street to shop and dine this season. Featuring more than 100 diverse restaurants, 20+ international markets, plus dozens of shopping centers; there’s something for everyone. Information: onhavanastreet.com.
3 Shop authentic German Christkindl Market in cozy wood huts at Civic Center Park for artisan gift giving plus tasty treats. Information: 720-772- 9530.
3 Take the family to see DCPA’s adaption of Charles Dickens’ A Christmas Carol at the Wolf Theatre on the JCC campus, Dec. 26. Information: 303-893-4200,
3 End the season at December Delights on Dec. 27-Jan. 2 at Four Mile Historic Park enjoying ice skating, kids’ crafts, more. Information: fourmilepark.org.
3 Despite 2020 Covid-19 cancellations Denver’s Santa Claus Shop did not disappoint children last year. The shop provided toys to about 13,000 kids in a first-ever “drive-thru” distribution site. Trying to lurk yet again, make gifts go farther this year by dropping off new, unwrapped toys and books at metro spots on Dec. 7. Denver Mattress at 1243 S. Colorado Blvd. is closest location to the Glendale-Cherry Creek area. Information: givingfirst.org.
Because of snow’s starring role in the lore of yore — no matter how we celebrate or what our beliefs are — music makes this month special. It’s music of good spirit and warm feelings. Consider Jingle Bells and Silent Night. These are simple yet very moving songs in their own special way. They reaffirm family values, customs and traditions.
The inclusive character and images created by these songs are attractive to both kids and adults and have become part of the great nostalgia of the holiday season.
In the spirit of the freezin’ season, remember kindness is like snow, it beautifies everything it covers. Wintertime will officially begin on Dec. 1 meteorologically and Dec. 21 astronomically. But the year’s end is neither an end or a beginning. Thus, when life becomes a snowdrift plan to walk down the lane singing favorite snow angel refrains.
— Glen Richardson
The Valley Gadfly can be reached at newspaper@glendalecherrycreek.com.
by Peter Boyles | Nov 19, 2021 | Blasting with Boyles
evil Santa Claus grimaces and scares a terrible face on a dark background
The jolly old fat man who broke into my father’s house every 24th of December left me with nothing but disappointment. Why did Santa always know I needed new underwear and socks? I was gypped. Where was the pony with the saddle on it so I could look like Roy and Gene? Heavy disappointment has always followed me through the holidays. Because now I’m in contact with Bad Santa.
He’s got a list of naughty and nice and there’s not much nice. He will be visiting the homes of the following and putting the following items in their stockings:
Governor Polis. Coming down the chimney at the mansion careful not to wake the children, a copy of Tax Returns For Dummies. Hint, hint.
Mayor Michael Hancock. Santa’s mind boggles at the amount of things that could be placed in Mikey’s carefully hung stocking. A divorce decree, a one-way ticket out of town during a no fly without a mask, and slip out the back door and move to Florida when this whole fiasco ends.
Senator Michael Bennet. Santa doesn’t know where to hang the stocking. By the way, he hasn’t seen much of you or Senator Hickenlooper. Part of Santa’s job is to know where people are to know if they are naughty or nice and as Santa said to me about their whereabouts, “Peter, it beats the hell out of me.” So perhaps they caught a break.
Tay Anderson. There’s a guy that Santa really has a case against. Santa has figured Tay out. Tay is running the long con. Tay, in the lexicon of organized crime, is a good earner. Santa predicts Tay will stuff his own stocking with a plan to replace Rep. Diana DeGette.
Kyle Clark. An unlimited amount of pomade for his hair, a little hair dye, and a certificate for $500 at Kohl’s men’s department. Geez Kyle, some of those sport coats my Grandma could have made into a quilt.
Councilwoman Amanda Sawyer. A dead horse’s head in the stocking for her and her Emerge sisters for scheming to destroy 8th Avenue and its residents.
To media mudslinger self-important gadfly Jason Salzman. Truth serum.
But Santa would like to recognize some of the good little boys and girls:
Like Ted Trimpa and Arash Mosaleh, America’s fun couple. The gift of love and happiness.
The Mayor of Glendale, Mike Dunafon. A huge thanks for developing Glendale. Santa loves Glendale. In particular he loves to go to Shotgun’s after all the toys have been delivered.
Tom Tancredo. Santa sends all of his love to the best politician Colorado’s ever had. Santa loves Tom.
Rep. Lauren Boebert. Santa wants to give her a couple of boxes of .45s.
Santa misses John Elway and Pat Bowlen. Santa has limited time for local television news and doesn’t even know where to park his sleigh.
Santa likes Mandy Connell. Santa listens to Mandy every day. Santa’s grateful for being able to dodge lawsuits for another 12 months.
Merry Christmas to all and to all a good night, and have a merry multi-cultural Christmas.
— Peter Boyles
