by Valley Gadfly | May 27, 2016 | Valley Gadfly
Aaah, summer: It’s prime time to let family time shine. Neighborhoods begin taking on a festive buzz. At weekend gatherings, weeknight feasts, and on cafe patios we gather to eat, drink, socialize and bask in summer’s warmth. Outdoor time is the tonic that allows us to step outside our boundaries, meet new friends and discover a new you.
With yet another wet May, we’re eager for a June fling holding spirit-filled glasses garnished with clover. It’s deemed solstice for the soul while rolling in clover.
Here are our “play it cool” choices for shopping, dining and entertainment to blaze into June enjoying sizzling days and serene sunsets as we drink in the sunshine:
3 If you’ve emerged from Winter’s blahs feeling a little lackluster and disheveled get Dolled Up For A Cause while sipping mimosas at the Glamour Bar June 4, 1:30-4 p.m. Information: dolledupforacause.com.
3 Simmer down and begin shopping for supper June 4 at Cherry Creek Fresh Market Sat. and Wed. 8 a.m.-1 p.m. Information: 303-442-1837.
3 Settle back and unwind as St. Martin’s Chamber Choir singers entertain at private home summer garden party Fun Raiser June 11. Information: 303-298-1970.
3 See cool cars on the Havana Corridor at the Cruzin’ Havana Car Show & Poker Run sites June 11, 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Information: 303-360-7505.
3 Roar into summer during the Grand Opening of Cherry Creek’s new Thirsty Lion Gastropub & Grill June 14. Information: 503-222-4174.
3 See the coolest summer movies free during Monday Movie Madness outdoors at Infinity Park June 13-Aug. 8 Information: 303-639-4609.
3 For a blooming good time attend the Cherry Blossom Festival in Sakura Square with entertainment, June 18-19. Information: 303-295-1844.
3 Create a big splash with the family during the South Platte RiverFest, June 25-26 at Confluence Park, 10 a.m.-8 p.m. Information: 303-455-7109.
3 Hang out all summer at Four Mile Historic Park watching the sunset to the soundtrack of great tunes each Wednesday night during the Shady Groove Picnic Series June 8-Aug. 17. Enjoy great music, affordable tickets and beautiful surroundings at a Valley tradition. Doors open to the outdoor concerts at 6 p.m., shows begin at 6:30 p.m. Information: 303-777-1003.
Summer solstice occurs when the tilt of earth’s semi-axis is most inclined toward the sun that it orbits. The sun and solstice will come to pass here this year on June 20 at 4:34 p.m. local or Mountain Daylight Time. Welcome summer with open arms. Kenny Chesney’s lyrics say it best: It’s a smile, a kiss, it’s a sip of wine…it’s summertime!
Basking in the sun bedecked and bedazzled we relax and laze around in flip flops gazing up at the heavens during long daylight hours then stargazing at night.
It’s the time of year to utilize all of our senses to savor a season filled with fields of green, a riot of flowers and splashy sunsets. There’s still enough light for a late night bike ride and warm enough to eat as many flavors of Bonnie Brae Ice Cream as you want. Double-dipper scoops of the sweet treat are assurance the heat won’t lick you.
— Glen Richardson
The Valley Gadfly can be reached at newspaper@glendalecherrycreek.com.
by Mark Smiley | May 27, 2016 | Feature Story Middle Left
On June 28 there is a critical Democratic primary for residents of the Cherry Creek Valley. As a practical matter Republicans are irrelevant in local races in Denver as there is not a single Republican who holds a state Senate or House seat from Denver.
While most municipal offices are filled through non-partisan elections in Denver the office of Denver District Attorney is a partisan election where the Republican Party often does not even run a candidate and they are not this year. While there are various races on the ballot which are of interest the two critical ones for us are the matchup for District Attorney and that for Beth McCann’s State House seat. The mail-in ballots should already be out and an extraordinary few number who bother to vote will determine who is ultimately elected this fall. Our endorsements in this election are as follows:
Michael Carrigan for Denver D.A.
There is no office in Denver, save mayor, that is more powerful than that of district attorney, although not too many in the public or the press appear to recognize that fact. The failure of the present district attorney, the person in charge of the office, can do great good for or great ill to Denver. Mitch Morrissey, by refusing to bring charges against virtually anyone in law enforcement in Denver has caused the bad apples in Denver law enforcement to believe they can get away with almost anything. Thus citizens of Denver are all too frequently brutalized by the Police Department or the Sheriff’s Department and the taxpayers hand out millions in settlement because of Morrissey.
Under the egis (1983-1993) of Dale Tooley the Denver District Attorney’s Office was recognized as being one of the best in the country and capable lawyers flocked to it. However subsequent D.A.s slowly frittered away that reputation with a low point reached under politically ambitious Bill Ritter who would go on to be a one-term governor of Colorado. Under a cloud of controversy Ritter chose not to run for a second term in order to “spend more time with his family.”
There are three candidates in the primary for the position — Michael Carrigan, Beth McCann and Kenneth Boyd. Of the three Boyd is quite simply not qualified for the position. He is the nephew of the tainted former D.A. Bill Ritter and at 37 has no real qualifications other than he is “Mitch Morrissey’s man.” One of the more distressing trends in recent years is term limited district attorneys desperate not to have to leave the government bosom, arrange for an underling to run who promises to hire the old district attorney back. This same pitiful game of musical chairs for lawyers was attempted by former Arapahoe County District Attorney Carol Chambers with her subordinate Leslie Hansen. The Republican primary voters wisely voted instead for George Brauchler who has been an outstanding District Attorney.
Boyd even announced to a flabbergasted audience that there was no excessive force problem in Denver. We cannot fathom why anyone in Denver, other than Mitch Morrissey, would vote for Boyd.
Conversely Beth McCann certainly has the resume and experience to be District Attorney but has spent an entire adult life going from one government job to the next. She is running again for District Attorney having lost to Morrissey 12 years ago because she is term limited as the state representative for District 8. She has not tried a criminal case since 1983 and she would be 80 years old if she served all three terms. Denver can do better.
Luckily the voters in the primary have a wonderful choice in Michael Carrigan, a senior litigation attorney with the much respected Holland and Hart law firm. He served as a Deputy District Attorney in Arapahoe County for over a half decade before going into private practice in Denver. At age 49 he has the energy and experience to be an outstanding District Attorney for Denver. The Denver D.A.’s office badly needs new blood as every District Attorney since Dale Tooley has come from in-house. The office has way too much dead wood that needs to be cleaned out, which is exactly what Boulder D.A. Stan Garnett and Arapahoe County George Brauchler did when they came into office.
Carrigan speaks fluent Spanish and like Garnett and Brauchler he would not be afraid to try some of the most difficult and high visibility cases that may arise in his jurisdiction. He has been candid that he opposes the death penalty and is concerned about the rate of incarceration of African Americans in the Denver judicial system.
The only hesitancy regarding his candidacy for us is the fact that, as The Denver Post was thrilled to point out, his endorsements include a veritable “who’s who of Denver politics” which translated means every crook in town including the infamous Steve Farber of the law firm Brownstein Hyatt Farber Schreck, LLP. But Carrigan also has the endorsement of leading reform Denver City Councilman Rafael Espinoza and he has convinced us that he is beholden to no one and plans to be a reform District Attorney that shakes up a system that badly needs to be shaken up.
Denver is lucky to have such a highly qualified attorney willing to run for District Attorney making the choice an easy one for us and we think for the voters.
Goldhamer for House District 8
House District 8 which is located in north central Denver has been ably served by Beth McCann for the last eight years and being term limited she is running for Denver District Attorney (see above). Squaring off in the Democratic primary are two good candidates Aaron Goldhamer and Leslie Herod.
Herod worked as an administrative assistant down at the Capitol and was a Senior Policy Advisor to then Governor Bill Ritter. She has served as Program Officer with the Gill Foundation and more recently started up her own consulting business.
Aaron Goldhamer is a litigator with the substantial law firm of Jones & Keller with a bachelor’s degree cum laude from Yale University, and J.D. from Georgetown University Law School. He has a strong pro bono component to his law practice.
Both candidates are strong progressives as befits House District 8 and they do not appear to substantially disagree on the relevant issues.
What we find particularly appealing about Goldhamer is that he is willing to take his own time and money to fight some of the important fights in Denver today. He is representing former Colorado Attorney J.D. McFarland in battling against the disreputable “Platte to Park Hill” flood control project that will raise every Denver resident’s drainage fees for costs which should be borne by CDOT as they directly relate to CDOT’s I-70 expansion. The drainage project also effectively destroys a significant portion of one more Denver gem, Park Hill Golf Course.
You make no friends with the Denver political establishment by opposing this project which has the endorsement of Mayor Michael Hancock and all of his friends and controllers. Anybody who has the smarts and the toughness to take on the most powerful and corrupt elements in Denver we believe will make a great State Representative for the City and County of Denver and we strongly endorse his candidacy.
— Editorial Board
by Mark Smiley | May 27, 2016 | Feature Story Bottom Left
Guest Editorial
Truth, Lies And Coverups
by Nasrin Kholghy
There’s been a lot of talk about our family in the Chronicle and on radio recently — most of it false and ignoring the facts. So here’s the truth.
Glendale is our home. Twenty-seven years ago, we moved our business from the old Cherry Creek Mall to Colorado Boulevard. Our kids played basketball on Birch Street. We enjoy Glendale’s spectacular annual fireworks from the rooftop of our rug store. You’ve driven by our rug store’s distinctive blue awnings many times.
Since our kids had their first birthday parties at Celebrity Fun Center, we’ve been deeply invested in Glendale and its surroundings. Over the decades, we have become good friends with many people in the community; our clients know us on a first-name basis. They’re part of our family. It was no surprise that so many people came to our support when we were threatened with eminent domain abuse and possible condemnation last year. For that, we wholeheartedly thank the people of Glendale and Denver, and everyone that stood up to defend our rights as landowners guaranteed under the Constitution.
We opened our rug store out of necessity then expanded it by choice. Although my husband and I hold UCD electrical engineering degrees, the political environment in 1979 made it impossible to find jobs. Authentic Persian & Oriental Rugs was born out of our need to sell the only thing our father could send from Iran and support family still attending the University of Colorado,
This is a true family business. We all work six or seven days a week. Even friends pitch in. My brother travels abroad frequently to find the best quality rugs and latest designs. My sister and I make certain that every rug sold is the perfect fit for each home — even if we have to drive hundreds of miles to do so.
We would never propose a project that would be an eyesore or detrimental to our community in any way because we live and work here.
In 2007, we first drafted plans for a mixed-use development on our land. That proposal includ-ed cascading terraces overlooking the creek, retail, restaurants and eleven high-end residential units. We understood the plans complied with all Glendale zoning laws, yet we received discouraging feedback. At that time, the Master Plan (page 35) said of our property: “This is the preeminent development site in the City. It contains 6.5 acres. It has frontage along Colorado Boulevard and the Cherry Creek channel and possesses spectacular mountain views. The concept of mixed use along with community amenities can be captured on this site. Ground floor uses would include eating, entertainment and specialty retail. Upper floor use could include office or residential.”
The zoning laws were changed five months later to further restrict residential use. Glendale has steadfastly opposed a residential component despite the fact that it is proven to work.
Homes are essential to building true communities. They help make places safer; people are more concerned about the neighborhood’s appearance and actually take pride in where they live. Residential properties would have the least impact on traffic — we know how bad the traffic can get around Colorado Blvd. and Alameda — easing congestion in general. That was the finding of a 2010 City-financed traffic study and why, in part, we want residential as part of our plan.
Glendale 180 envisions a downtown full of bars with 24-hour alcohol co
nsumption and huge profits. The City also investigated adding gambling to their plans. We suspect they don’t want our rug store here because our kind of business isn’t as profitable. They only desired our land.
City officials now say they don’t need our land. Yet they say we’re holding up Glendale 180 when, in truth, they’re holding up progress! Furthermore, it’s not just our family that’s at odds with the City, although we’re slammed in the media most. Glendale has similar issues with the Staybridge Hotel, the property adjoining ours.
These are just examples of the allegations and defamatory remarks tossed around in this publication, but to their credit, they finally invited us to tell our side. We welcome this opportunity.
We also invite anyone to visit our store and talk about these issues. You’ll be warmly welcomed regardless of your views. We have many docum
ents available that support the facts and we’re open seven days a week to discuss the truth. We want everyone to read and verify the facts themselves.
In March, Glendale’s Chamber of Commerce voted to “repudiate and denounce” us claiming we recruited hate groups to support our plan. That is false. We’ve never hired any groups to support us. We don’t employ private investigators. We’ve never proposed an ugly skyscraper as the Chronicle claims. The mayor and his wife (primary owner of Shotgun Willie’s and The Smoking Gun) along with the Chronicle’s publisher, and its executive editor sit on the Chamber board. At least three of them voted for this resolution that wasn’t based on facts.
Don’t you wonder why the Chronicle and the City are so passionate and persistent in slamming us each month? We suggest following the money. Glendale’s Downtown Development Authority plans to raise $200M in bonds and scrape a popular public park so a private developer can build more bars. Who will pay this $200,000,000 back? How long must we pay? Who reaps the benefits?
by Mark Smiley | May 27, 2016 | Editorials
Four Mile Historic Park Celebration, Glendale Fireworks Top Patriotic Events
Bang, blare, blast, boom, buzz, clap, cackle, crackle, pop, hiss, ka-boom! No wonder kids love the Fourth of July. This year the sizzle, snap and sparkle to Cherry Creek Valley patriotic celebrations begins early as the City of Glendale and Four Mile Historic Park blasts things off on July 1.
Yes, the City of Glendale’s Fireworks Show — symbol of Independence Day and one of the oldest and largest in the Valley — will light up the sky on Friday, July 1. Constantly the biggest, brightest and most extravagant fireworks, the stunning summer holiday show will begin at dusk (generally 9-9:30 p.m.). Families and friends gather at eateries, bars, patios and porches from LoDo to the Dam to view the dazzling display.
Four Mile Historic Park has always featured an Independence Day Celebration. Last year for the first time the park — a serene 12-acre historic oasis on the edge of Glendale — moved its 4th of July celebration to coincide with the Glendale City fireworks. Again this year families can bring the kids to celebrate the holiday here July 1 with old-time games, historic demonstrations, live music and horse-drawn wagon rides from 5-10 p.m. Food trucks and a beer garden will be on site. Furthermore, they can then stay to watch the Glendale fireworks show. Last entry to the park is 9 p.m. Admission is free, but there is a charge for food, refreshments and some activities. Information: 720-865-0800.
Other Fireworks
The annual Independence Eve Celebration in Civic Center Park at Broadway and Colfax is July 3, 8 p.m. It will feature a free patriotic concert, a light show on the Denver City and County Building plus a fireworks finale. Lawn seating will be available on a first-come, first-served basis, so be sure to bring blankets or low-rise concert-beach chairs. Concessions will be present on-site but families are also allowed to bring their own picnic.
The City of Aurora’s 4th of July Spectacular is July 4th starting at 4 p.m. and includes a car show and hot dog eating contest. Held at the Aurora Municipal Center on E. Alameda Pkwy., there’s also a Backyard BBQ cook-off and concert by country-pop singer Emily West. Fireworks will start at 9:30 p.m.
Professional lacrosse team the Denver Outlaws will battle it out with the Florida Launch at Mile High Stadium on July 4. Following the game there will be fireworks within the bowl — pyrotechnics paired with visuals on a 220-foot-wide, high-definition screen. Another July 4 option is Elitch Gardens where families can spend the day riding the roller coasters and water slides, followed by watching fireworks at night, startin
g at dusk.
Musical Pops, Parades
If you prefer a musical holiday, what better way to celebrate Independence Day than with a free concert in City Park July 3. Enjoy the sounds of Ritmo Jazz Latino, one of Denver’s finest jazz ensembles at the City Park Bandstand, 6 p.m. Then celebrate the stars and stripes of the good ol’ U.S. of A with the Colorado Symphony July 4th at Fiddler’s Green, 7:30 p.m. The family-friendly program will celebrate America with the Armed Forces Salute, Stars and Stripes Forever, the Overture of 1812, God Bless America and a slew of other favorite hits from stage and screen. Fireworks will follow.
If you love a parade you’ll be glad to know that Park Hill 4th of July Parade is back. It will again be marching along 23rd Ave. from Dexter St. to Krameria beginning at 1:30 p.m. on July 4. It promises to be bigger than ever before, with marching bands, acrobats and festive floats, including a Boy Scout color guard, classic cars and the Montbello Drum Line. The parade ends at the Kearney Street Fair on the 2200 block of Kearney with sweet treats from Cake Crumbs Bakery, savory snacks, live music plus kids’ activitie
s.
Finally consider starting July 4 with four miles of fun at the Liberty Run in Wash Park, 8:30 a.m. The 4 Mile Run-Walk is a competitive USATF judged race walk. A kids-only Firecracker Fun Run follows the adult run. Proceeds go to Make-A-Wish Foundation Colorado. Participants are encouraged to dress in their best Red, White and Blue get ups.
