by Ashe in America | Feb 19, 2021 | Main Articles
by Robert Davis
They’re Back: Jason Lewiston, whose Green Flats project was defeated in 2018, is back proposing a project called The Holly Street Townhomes. Also pictured is Anna DeWitt, who owns one of the homes being sold to make way for the new development.
A proposed development on S. Holly Street in Denver’s Hilltop neighborhood is reviving old baggage between neighbors who don’t want change and a developer with leverage to muscle.
Known as The Holly Street Townhomes, the project will combine five parcels between 219 and 227 S. Holly to create a multi-family, co-living complex. Each of the six townhomes contains four individual units which are sold as “shares” of the group home. The units are priced at $150,000 for about 600 sq. ft. for a bedroom, kitchenette, bathroom, and sitting area.
Florence Sebern, who lives in the neighborhood, said the Townhomes are eerily familiar to the Green Flats project her neighbors defeated in 2018. Through an intricate petitioning process, residents were able to force City Council to require a supermajority of 10 votes to pass the necessary rezoning request.
After only eight Council members voted for the project, developer Jason Lewiston told Denverite the setback was a “metaphor for the future of Denver. Are we going to retain whites-only, single-family zoning … or are we going to get past race-based zoning from the 1960s?”
Now that Lewiston is back, this time on the heels of a controversial overhaul to the city’s zoning code, some residents are feeling blackballed by their elected officials.
“Some people in Denver have a particular disdain for Hilltop residents as white, privileged, and somehow willing to surrender to whatever a developer wants to build,” Sebern told the Glendale Cherry Creek Chronicle in an interview.
Sebern also described the timing of Lewiston’s re-appearance in the neighborhood as “curious.”
Destined For Scraping: These townhomes on South Holly Street in the Hilltop neighborhood would be leveled to make way for a multi-family, co-living complex.
Lewiston formed a co-living agency called The Co-Own Company in June 2020 while the Denver housing market was resting. Research by the National Association of Realtors found the Denver metro area experienced a one-year price growth of one percent over that summer.
Even though the Townhomes currently do not hold a building permit with the city, the units are already listed on the MLS. And since the project could not have been built in Hilltop before the Group Living Amendment passed, Sebern concluded the development plan had to be submitted with some foreknowledge that the amendment would pass.
Sarah Wells, Co-Own’s director of sales, was a voting member of the Group Living Advisory Committee (GLAC) while Gosia Kung, an architect, sits on the Denver Planning Board.
Members of both groups are appointed by the Mayor. GLAC disbanded after the amendment passed and members of the Planning Board are appointed for three-year terms on a volunteer basis. All Planning Board members hold outside employment with other firms, corporations, and nonprofit organizations.
Meanwhile, Denver’s form-based zoning code is designed to create predictable outcomes for developers. All zoning permits must be shown to be consistent with a previously approved Large Development Framework, Infrastructure Master Plan, General Development Plan, Regulating Plan, or Site Development Plan. Furthermore, it cannot “substantially or permanently injure the appropriate use of adjacent conforming properties.”
Inexpensive Homes: The Holly Street Townhome units are priced at $150,000 for about 600 sq. ft. for a bedroom, kitchenette, bathroom, and sitting area.
But, Wells said the neighborhood wasn’t chosen to stir up trouble. Instead, Co-Own wanted to bring the project to Hilltop because of its proximity to downtown, its parks, restaurants, and shops.
“Additionally, the lot we’ve chosen already houses a multi-unit building so it allows us to create a new complex that is similar, will have the same number of units and will blend in well with the surrounding area. The architectural style we’re using is intended to complement established neighborhoods and provide a beautiful place for people to live affordably and earn an ownership stake,” she added in an email.
Hilltop is one of Denver’s most expensive neighborhoods with an average home value north of $1 million, according to Zillow. The proposed Townhomes will sell for a combined $600,000 in total, nearly double what Lewiston was asking for in Green Flats.
Overall, the Townhomes will attract more density to the neighborhood as well. Green Flats was designed to offer affordable options for the families and teachers of nearby Carson Elementary or Hill Middle School. The Townhomes will consume more land which may leave less room for off-street parking.
For teachers like Anna DeWitt, who owns one of the homes being sold for the development and teaches French at North High School, the Townhomes represent a chance for Denver to begin embracing its future.
“The Townhomes offer millennials and middle class workers a chance to build equity through a new type of living,” she told the Chronicle. “This can help a lot of people get out of living paycheck to paycheck. What’s wrong with that?”
by Laura Lieff | Feb 19, 2021 | Main Articles
by Laura Lieff
Glendale is forming the biggest, fastest and most athletic rugby team in the world. The question is whether the team will be able to win rugby games. Glendale has had men’s, women’s, and kids’ rugby teams for almost a fifth of a century and its teams have won various national championships. In 2017 it formed a professional men’s team and was one of the founders of Major League Rugby but dropped out last year when the leadership switched over its emphasis to foreign born players over Americans.
Super Athlete: NFL Combine sensation and social media star Terron Beckham is one of many star athletes that will be playing on the mega rugby team to take on the world’s best teams.
For many years, a goal of the rugby union has been for America to be able to field a highly competitive team that could take on the top teams in the world in the quadrennial Rugby World Cup, and thereby open up rugby to the enormous American market. The international governing body for rugby union, now named World Rugby, contributed millions of dollars to the American governing body USA Rugby to produce such a team which has proven to be an unmitigated disaster. USA Rugby went into bankruptcy and the American team, called the Eagles, was so pitiful at the last World Cup that it tied for last among the 32 national teams. The Eagles did not win a single game, losing to the likes of the national team for Tonga. That island nation has a population of a little over 100,000 which is one tenth of the population of Rhode Island.
That was the last straw for Glendale Mayor Mike Dunafon who played rugby in the Caribbean after briefly playing professional football with the Denver Broncos. He decided to form an all-American team with players who were in the XFL, CFL or NFL, or were top athletes in other sports, who bring the size, strength, and speed to potentially play rugby at a high level.
But will it work? Can you take great American athletes who have never played rugby and turn them into a team that can take on the very best at the sport whose players have played rugby almost their entire lives? It is the ultimate “nature versus nurture” battle in sports.
International Criticism
Many in the international rugby world think that Glendale and Dunafon are crazy and that is being kind. They believe that the only way to rugby excellence is through youth programs which is the way it is done in the rest of the world. Unsurprisingly, the new Glendale program has received far more press attention overseas than in America. One of Britain’s largest newspapers, The Guardian, has written extensively on Glendale rugby.
The comment sections on international coverage say it all. Referring to a longtime New Zealand-born rugby coach, one commentator said: “Andrew Douglas is absolutely correct in saying [American] football players make sh*t rugby players.” Another commentator declared, “Teaching a dude rugby at age 25 is sheer stupidity.”
Another critic opined, “This [Glendale] way of thinking just blows me away. It is such an arrogant statement to think that America has such great athletic prowess that is can overcome their inherent lack of rugby IQ. Another believes that not only would Glendale be crushed by the New Zealand national team (called the All Blacks) but any of its better amateur teams would win ‘by 100 points.’”
But Dunafon does not care about the criticism. He stated: “It is highly unlikely that rugby is going to be able to supplant football and soccer in our schools anytime in the near future. The youth program approach has resulted in America being crushed by tiny nations like Tonga in the World Cup. We are going to try a different approach as the traditional method has not generated any success. We will just have to find out whether taking the road less traveled by, can make all the difference.”
Scouting And Recruitment
Practice Underway In Glendale: From left to right, Leonard Sagapolutele, Gelen Robinson, and Chase Stehling are practicing their front row technique.
Glendale’s scouting and recruiting efforts have been impressive. Glendale’s Director of Rugby Mark Bullock and his staff have reviewed over 4,000 athletes across the country and 30 were vetted and invited to November tryout.
“We’re recruiting highly articulate, motivated, intelligent athletes,” Bullock adds. “The mix that creates success is a dedication to the purpose of the team, combined with athleticism. I’ve been pleasantly surprised, thrilled actually, with the caliber of people we’ve recruited so far.”
At this point, 29 players have contracts and Glendale is looking for a total of 40. According to City Manager Linda Cassaday, recruiting will continue until that number is reached.
“We wanted to train these athletes in a full-time training environment and that’s exactly what we’re doing,” explains Cassaday. “Making rugby their full-time job is going to positively impact the players’ ability to learn and play the sport. Not everyone will be successful but we’re hoping that most of them will be.”
Funding
Tall Glass Of Water: Vincent Boumann has played professional basketball around the world and will play lock for the XOs.
The City is funding the estimated $3 million annual cost of the project and seeking sponsors. Players are paid $1,500 a month, are living rent-free in two-bedroom apartments, and are being provided three meals a day and insurance coverage.
“No one has ever done this before,” says Cassaday. “Other organizations can keep doing what they’ve always been doing which is training youth and then continuing that training through high school and college. We’ve chosen a different pathway and are excited about it. This program is part of our economic development plan. It puts Glendale on the map and brings visitors in to enjoy all the bars, restaurants, hotels, and retail we have to offer.”
Players Under Contract
Players who have made the team and signed contracts include:
Vincent Boumann: a 6’9”, 265-pound basketball player who was a center for Western Oregon University and who has spent the last several years playing professional basketball around the world.
College Star: 6’4” 285 pound Casey McDermont-Vai is joining the Glendale team after starring as a tight end at Texas Christian University and playing for the Seattle Seahawks of the NFL.
Gelen Robinson: a 6’1”, 285-pound defensive tackle from Purdue University’s football team, who also played in the Canadian Football League.
Gelen Robinson: a 6’1”, 285-pound defensive tackle from Purdue University’s football team, who also played in the Canadian Football League.
Taniela Tupou: a 6’2”, 295-pound former NFL and University of Washington player.
Casey McDermott-Vai: a 6’4”, 285-pound former Texas Christian University tight end who had a short stint in the NFL with the Seattle Seahawks.
DJ Stewart: a 6’2”, 225-pound athlete whose background includes both football and bobsledding for Olympic Team USA.
Terron Beckham: a cousin of Cleveland Browns wide receiver Odell Beckham Jr., who ran a 4.47 second, 40-yard dash and had a 47-inch vertical jump at the NFL combine. Beckham has 529,000 followers on Instagram.
Glendale is continuing to bring recruits in for evaluation and hopes to have Brock Lutes in for an evaluation this week. The 6’4”, 215-pound former college point guard recently tried out for the NFL’s San Francisco 49ers.
Looking Ahead
While the RugbyTown Crossover Academy is a new experiment, the caliber of players is garnering attention. According to Team Manager Peter Pasque, the Colorado XO (named for crossover) players are as big and fast as some NFL teams.
Pending Covid-19 restrictions, the first Glendale XO home game is scheduled for Saturday, April 3 at Infinity Park. Although no fans will be allowed to attend due to the pandemic, the game will be streamed live.
Whether Glendale can pull off teaching former basketball, football, baseball, and track stars how to play rugby remains to be seen. But if the video on the Crossover Academy website is any indication, these athletes are focused, fast, strong, and ready to play.
For more information visit www.crossoveracademy.infinityparkatglendale.com.
by Glendale Sports Center | Feb 19, 2021 | Feature Story Bottom Left
by Elizabeth Bravman, Nutrition Specialist for the YMCA of Metro Denver and former pediatric nurse
No surprise: eating too much sugar is not good for us. It’s a challenge for so many who have a busy, work, school and family life. The good news is that a little knowledge, a keen eye and small changes can make a huge difference. Here are five tips — and challenges — to reducing the number of added sugars in what you eat and drink.
- Be a Sugar Detective. Naturally occurring sugars are good for us and include fruits, dairy products, some vegetables and whole grains. Added sugars are not so good for us and are hidden everywhere! Some are obvious like in sodas, candy and desserts but can also include some breads, crackers, soups, and even salad dressings. Foods with added sugar can spike your blood sugar, leaving you feeling hungry and then overeating. Research shows that a diet high in added sugars increases our risk for heart disease, diabetes and cancer.
Knowledge is power. Start with your daily limit of sugars — 36 grams for men and 25 grams for women. Track what you’re eating, specifically noting the added sugars, using a mobile app like MyPlate. Combine your tracking with some of these next tips to help you decrease your added sugars.
- Don’t let breakfast be dessert. Some of the most popular breakfast staples can surprise you with their added sugar.
First, toast. Some breads can have 5 grams of added sugar. Study the labels and look for options for 2 grams of added sugar or less per slice. Top your toast with a healthy protein like no-added sugar nut butter or a cooked egg. Second, oatmeal. It’s great for breakfast, but instead of the instant, look for plain oats and sweeten with cinnamon, berries or nuts. Third, and a favorite, pancakes and waffles. Try making your own batter. A big batch freezes for an easy breakfast with a mashed banana on top during the week.
- Think Your Drink. Did you know that venti mocha cookie Frappuccino tips the scale at 19 teaspoons of sugar? Don’t fall into the trap of ‘drinking your sugar.’ A few changes can make the difference.
Try replacing that go-to soda with unsweetened tea or coffee. Try a bubbly seltzer. Add lemon, lime, cucumber or even strawberries to water.
Sound overwhelming? Try this: if you drink two sodas a day, make it a goal to have one soda. Start where you’re at.
- Hack Your Snack. Packaged food is so convenient, but it is often loaded with added sugar. Instead of the pantry, go to the fridge for snacks. Pair fats and proteins to keep you full. Be adventurous in the fruits and veggie department at the grocery store — try that purple cauliflower or jicama.
What are some super easy snack choices? A small, sliced apple + cheese stick or cucumber sticks dipped in hummus. A little motivation helps. Put fruits in a bowl on the counter or at the front of your fridge to grab first.
- Treats. A decadent dessert for a special occasion? Indulge, but in a reasonable size portion and enjoy. For everyday no sugar added treats, try frozen grapes, fruit kabobs or a baked apple with a touch of butter and cinnamon. The key is balance.
The YMCA of Metro Denver offers cooking classes and one-on-one guidance for everyday solutions to help on your wellness journey. Contact us at community health@denverymca.org or call 720-524-2747 to schedule a consultation.
by Valley Gadfly | Feb 19, 2021 | Valley Gadfly
The Beatles said it best when they crooned: “Here Comes the Sun.” March is the month when the sun crosses the equator line, heading north in the sky to mark the start of spring in our hemisphere. As we tilt more toward the sun we begin feeling free and back in love with life. We’ll enjoy longer daylight hours with earlier dawns, later sunsets.
This month’s St. Paddy’s Day’s tune Rumbles of Spring expresses the season thus: “I’m as happy as a king, when I catch a breath of spring and the grass is turning green.”
As you begin enjoying spring weather, here are our choices for shopping, dining and entertaining to ensure the brooks, trees and singing hills send happiness to you:
3 Enjoy Beethoven’s best works performed by a string quartet at the safe Wings Over The Rockies bathed in candlelight March 10 & 17, 7 p.m. Sit back and savor the ambiance and the pieces. Information: 303-872-7720.
3 Support Lowry Elementary School’s first ever virtual auction the “No Go Gala” by bidding online March 13th at 8 p.m. Information: 720-424-5910.
3 View the Radiant Season in the Freyer-Newman Center March 13-July 11. Urban objects are painted by Kevin Sloan. Information: 720-865-3500.
3 Returning to its roots, this year’s Runnin’ of the Green jogs off in waves at Washington Park March 14, 8 to 11:30 a.m. Information: rungreen7k.com.
3 Enjoy a bit o’ corned beef on St. Paddy’s Day as Monaco Inn Restaurant is dishing up the hearty plate for takeout or dine-in starting at 3 p.m. Served with boiled potatoes, carrots and celery. Information: 303-320-1104.
3 Has the pandemic created a money shock at home? Colorado Gold Mart is loaning cash or will buy your gold jewelry, diamonds, Rolexes, vintage watches and coin collections. Information: coloradogoldmart.com.
3 Spring Youth Rugby starts at Glendale’s Infinity Park March 16-April 12, on Tues. & Thurs., 4:30-5:45 p.m. Information:glendaleyouthrugby.com.
3 Listen to Olympic soccer player Carli Lloyd during Junior League’s virtual catered dinner March 19, 7-8 p.m. Information: 303-692-0207.
3 Threatened by pests, pathogens and climate change, learn ways to protect Denver’s urban forest at the 7th Annual Tree Diversity Conference streamed online through Vimeo March 5, 8:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. Discussions will explore relationships between landscape design, horticultural practices and variety of tree species. Participants will have access for 14 days following the live session. Information: denverbotan icgardens.org.
“Here comes the sun, doo da doo doo.” The George Harrison-penned track for Abbey Road has us thinking about clocks, time and light. Spring forward March 14 by setting clocks ahead an hour to Daylight Saving Time. The extra hour of light at the end of the day will feel like a gift after this year’s pandemic plagued winter. Enjoy it!
Watch the arc of the sun across the sky as it shifts toward the north. Birds are migrating northward, along with the sun. Sunlight also triggers birds to sing. Cool, eh?
Unless you’re living under the Blarney Stone you know March 17 is St. Patrick’s Day. Leprechauns won’t stroll beside floats; as the parade is canceled. The Valley, nonetheless, will be lush with parties. Wishing you the things an Irish blessing brings: Joy, love and laugher. May your days be content and you smile happily ever after!
— Glen Richardson
The Valley Gadfly can be reached at newspaper@glendalecherrycreek.com.
