by Valley Gadfly | Mar 24, 2017 | Valley Gadfly
“A gush of bird-song, a patter of dew, a cloud, and a rainbow’s warning, suddenly sunshine and perfect blue, all of a sudden it’s April.” Okay, we know this isn’t Paris, but our tiny space on the planet is one of a half-dozen spots considered Paris of the West. Joyful, refreshing and magnificent, this month is glorious from the opening day.
We can’t be sure raindrops won’t yet be falling on our head. What’s more, April showers can’t hurt us and it won’t be long till sunshine and flowers pop up to greet us.
Here are our “splendor in the grass” choices for shopping, dining and entertainment to give you an appetite for action and adventure as spring is served:
3 It’s springtime, baby! Dance over to the JCC’s Wolf Theater to see Cherry Creek Theatre’s production of The Baby Dance playing Thurs. and Sat. at 8 p.m., Sun. at 2 p.m. through April 23. Information: 303-800-6578.
3 Roar into spring viewing cars, cars and more cars at the Denver Auto Show in the Convention Center April 5-9. Information: 303-225-8000.
3 Remember cool jukebox tunes? Spring to the Buell Theatre to see the jukebox musical Mamma Mia, April 11-16. Information: 303-893-4100.
3 Go to Central Christian April 16 for a Brunch & Egg Hunt at 9:15 a.m. followed by worship service at 10:45 a.m. Information: 303-744-1015.
3 The Inn at Cherry Creek is serving traditional Easter choices April 16, 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. Choose from Rack of Lamb, Grilled Salmon, Glazed Ham, Stuffed French Toast or Eggs Benedict. Information: 303-377-8577.
3 There are few rites of spring more satisfying than clean windows. For clean interior and exterior windowpanes without the pain let Justin’s Window Cleaning make them sparkle. Information: 720-626-2146.
3 Tune into the season sampling lighter wines at Lowry Uncorked in the Eisenhower Chapel April 21, 6-8:30 p.m. Information: 303-344-0481.
3 Spring for the Kingston Trio’s 60th Anniversary tour tickets when they play the Paramount Theatre April 29, 8 p.m. Information: 303-623-0106.
3 Plan to connect to spring and explore our environment during Doors Open Denver April 29-30. The Denver Architectural Foundation event allows individuals and families to connect to unique spaces, including high-profile historic places plus see feats of architecture and design through self-guided or guided fee-based tours. Headquarters is at Union Station. The free Box City event for kids’ grades K to 5 is on again this year.
The hallmark of April is the return of color. The skies seem bluer, the grass begins to green again, and the flowers bloom, bursting open with color and fresh life. The trees begin to bud and the birds and bugs are active again. It’s the time of the year as Mark Twain suggested, “For good friends, good books and a sleepy conscience.”
Like the song American Pie, April is boldly original, therapeutic and grand. It’s also noisy: There’s the pitter-patter of falling rain and the roar of thunderstorms.
Whenever the month is discussed or debated we start singin’ bye-bye Miss American Pie. The whole world wakes up from the long winter’s nap. No matter what your interpretation may be, April’s emotional resonance is unmistakable. It’s the Green Party’s spring rally minus pie throwing. Did February March? No, but April May!
— Glen Richardson
The Valley Gadfly can be reached at newspaper@glendalecherrycreek.com.
by Peter Boyles | Mar 24, 2017 | Blasting with Boyles
In reading about Donald Trump in the mainstream media, I do not believe there has been a concerted effort to destroy anyone since after the Japanese bombed Pearl Harbor, December 7, 1941.
From Target Tokyo to Target Donald Trump. The Left, the Democrats, the politically correct, the media, corporate sports, Hollywood and the music business have proven themselves to be parties of violence, chaos, destruction and hate. They have no ethics, honor, integrity, values, morals, compassion, and no respect for anyone who would hold an opposing view.
Democrat representative Maxine Waters called Trump’s Cabinet a “bunch of scumbags.” Madonna has “thought a lot about blowing up the White House.” Black Lives has screamed “to start killing people. “Tim Kaine, Hillary’s running mate, told the anti-Trumpers “to fight in the streets.” A woman stand-up comedian even called Donald Trump’s son Barron “a rapist and a homeschool shooter.”
The battle cry of the Résistance is make America ungovernable. A group that I talk about on the radio show titled “Refuse Facism” cried out “we need to do what the German people did when Hitler was elected.” — What a grasp of history — Hitler never won an election. That aside, there is the emergence of what is being called the “Deep State.” I personally believe the Deep State exists. Led by the Republican establishment (b/t/w, do you think anyone with the last name of Bush voted for Trump) and all of the above mentioned. Presidential politics and ethics seem to demand that when leaving office presidents leave Washington, D.C. Examples like Harry Truman goes back to Missouri, Jimmy Carter goes back to the peanut farm, Ronald Reagan to California, and even Tommy Smothers went back to his ranch in Waco, Texas.
But the man I believe who is the head of the Deep State literally moves across the street and his closest aide, Valerie Jarett, moved in with him and the Mrs. We once knew this as the “sportsman’s double.” The Obamas act as though they are the Romanoffs waiting to return. All you must do is read anything in The Denver Post, watch any local news outlet, or turn on any nonsense on CNN, or for that matter any national news outlet, and all you will get is what a horrible person Donald Trump is. So, to all the under 25s, who seem to still live with your parents, unemployed without getting a job, thinking they are badasses because they mastered a video game, all want to blame Donald Trump for what has happened to them.
Adding insult to historic injury, these buffoons have decided to call themselves the “Resistance.” That was the name given to the French Marquis, the Norwegian Underground, and the Ukrainian Partisans who fought the invading Nazis. What an insult to their bravery and their souls. These little twits risk nothing and claim the mantle of brave men and women who gave it their all.
No one in big media seems to want to shame them for seizing that title. I just did. Shame on you little creeps for daring to claim that brave name. You won’t see many Trump supporters in the streets wearing goofy hats and screaming filthy epitaphs at people who watch them. Trump supporters seem to be getting their kids and grandkids ready for swim team, soccer practice, music lessons, working hard at work, trying to pay all their bills and hoping that somehow the guy that is fixing their car isn’t going to tell them that they need a new fuel pump.
Ask yourself this question, if Hillary had won, do you think that that auto-mechanic, the man who comes to fix your cable system, the guy who is getting ready to do your tax return, your uncle the truck driver, or any other man or woman up and down the Front Range who bust their hump every day to keep the dream alive would be out marching in the streets on a warm, spring day screaming horrible things about Hillary Clinton? Or substitute anything said about Trump and apply it to Barack Obama. Those words would never be said and no idiots in masks would be smashing Starbucks’ windows.
History is repetitive. No one watches television news, nobody reads the papers, no one cares about some snowflake on a college campus, but what this does lead to is nothing more than a second term of Donald Trump. Deal with it.
— Peter
by Mark Smiley | Mar 24, 2017 | Travel
The INFLATABULL Rodeo Bull Ride On Float by Intex provides a “bull-riding” experience in the water and is around $50 at select retailers both in-store and online.
(BPT) – Visit any retailer’s pool aisle or website, and you’ll quickly realize a challenge your parents and grandparents never had to face – more pool inflatables to choose from than you could ever imagine. Whether you’re shopping for a larger-than-life float island or something to help keep your non-swimming little one safer in the pool, the sheer range of options can be overwhelming, but exciting!
“Shopping for pool inflatables is supposed to be fun, not overwhelming,” says Marvin Natareno, an inflatables expert with Intex Recreation Corp., the leading manufacturer of novelty pool inflatables. “Yet there are so many choices these days that comparison shopping for the best inflatable for your needs can be a challenge.”
Natareno offers some tips for choosing inflatables that will help keep your summer fun going swimmingly:
Grownup fun and relaxation
When shopping for an adult-sized novelty float, Natareno says, keep comfort, quality and originality in mind. Today’s floats can provide a unique, unexpected water experience. For example, Intex is the only manufacturer offering a rodeo bull-themed float. The INFLATABULL Rodeo Bull Ride On Float provides a “bull-riding” experience in the water and is around $50 at select retailers both in-store and online.
Quality counts
When investing in a large novelty float, quality certainly counts. The last thing you want is for it to fizzle flat during summer fun.
“If you’re investing in a large novelty float, you want to know it will last for many summers, not just one,” Natareno says. “Floats with quality PVC construction, well-sealed seams and colors that retain their vibrancy are ones to consider, especially for a more active group.”
Intex offers high-quality floats with everyone’s favorite themes, including the Mega Toucan and Mega Pegasus Island Floats, the Watermelon Island and Popsicle Float. All are available in-store or online through select retailers that can easily be found via a quick online search.
Cost doesn’t always equal quality
When shopping for a reasonably priced, quality inflatable, Natareno recommends looking at the construction and materials, and suggests looking for a brand name that you recognize and that has a long business history.
“Large-scale inflatables are very trendy right now thanks to social media and celebrity commentary,” Natareno says. “You don’t have to pay a premium price to get a quality inflatable that will provide hours of fun season after season.”
Inflatables for kids
Beach balls and classic rings might have been the first inflatable toys for kids, but today there are many more options, from inflatable arm bands meant to help stabilize little ones in the water to whale and plane-shaped ride ons. Manufacturers like Intex make a wide variety of inflatable toys for kids and offer some of the bestselling and most popular tubes and lounges that can be used from pools to rivers and lakes, like the River Rat and River Run tubes.
“Take a quick poll of your kids and see which style of float would be of interest for this pool season. Consider adding new ones each month as the season evolves for more creative fun,” adds Natareno.
Long live your inflatables
Inspect inflatables every time you use them, looking for any tears or sign of wear that can be repaired before they jeopardize the structural integrity of the toy or float. Although chlorinated pool water does a good job of keeping inflatables clean, using them at the beach or lake could mean some dirt. If inflatables become dirty, clean them with a soft brush and liquid soap and water.
Safety First
Large-scale inflatables like the Intex Mega Toucan Island are very trendy right now thanks to social media and celebrity commentary.
Most importantly, follow strict safety practices around pools. When it comes to floats, practicing good safety habits, setting and following rules, carefully reading instruction manuals and vigilant supervision can greatly reduce the likelihood of injury as well as reduce injury severity. Take time to review all safety information to assist in keeping you and your family safe this summer: www.intexcorp.com/safety-information-pools.
by Mark Smiley | Mar 1, 2017 | Featured Stories & Advertisers
