by Mark Smiley | Feb 2, 2015 | Glendale City News
PRP Season Began January 31
by Charles C. Bonniwell
The Glendale Raptors Rugby Football team has high hopes for the upcoming Pacific Rugby Premiership (PRP) season that kicked off with an away match against the San Diego, California team Old Mission Beach Athletic Club on January 31 and potentially ends with the league championship game on May 16. The Raptors lost in last year’s championship game at Infinity Park in Glendale, before a packed crowd in heartbreak
ing fashion by the score of 39-38 to the San Francisco Golden Gate Rugby Football Club.
West And East Leagues
The PRP league was formed last year after the demise of the Super League in 2013 and all of the clubs (five from California and two from Colorado) are former Super League teams with the exception of Glendale. A five team American Rugby Premiership was formed this year with eastern teams and there is talk of the top teams in both leagues to square off on May 30.
The two Colorado teams (the Raptors and the Barbarians) have all of their early matches away to take advantage of the mild California weather with their schedules back loaded with home games as Colorado weather begins to warm up. The Raptors’ first three games will be in California with the home opener at Infinity Park on February 28 against Belmont Shore.
The Raptors hoped to bring home a championship trophy to match the national title won by the ladies team who took the Women’s Premier League national championship by the score of 16-15 over the Twin Cities Amazons.
During the fall the men’s team was able to take the Aspen Ruggerfest championship after four prior tries and the team has undergone a rigorous off-season training program. With 90 percent of the team returning, the men’s coach, South African Andre Synman, has high hopes but notes, “If we want to win the PRP this season we’ll have to improve on all aspects from last year. Our skill level has to be higher, our physical level needs to be higher, and our defense needs to improve.”
In addition the team will not be able to sneak up on teams like last year when “everyone picked us to finish last and that was a driving force throughout the season,” noted team captain Zach Fenoglio, who is a member of the USA men’s national team, the Eagles, as a hooker. The Denver native who is 6’2” and weighs 245 pounds also noted that the team needed to “prove to the competition that we’re a tough team and tough to play against.” Other members of the Raptors who have been on the national team include James Paterson, a 6’2” wing from Colorado Springs, and Chad London, a center from Johannesburg, South Africa, who was named Club Player of the Year by Rugby Today.
Joining the team for the 2015 season is Mose Timoteo, another former Eagle, who represented the United States in 2003 Rugby World Cup. The 38-year-old scrum half, born in American Samoa, headed up the San Francisco club that beat the Raptors in the season finale last year.
One player who will not be returning is 6’9” second row man Casey Rock. Rock was on the original Raptors team in 2006 while still in high school. He responded to an ad in The Denver Post looking for players for the new team. He retired this fall at age 27 due to repeated injuries. “I tore my LCL, MCL, ACL, patella tendon, all of my meniscus and shredded all of the cartilage in my tibia and femur,” noted Rock. “The doctor told me that because of all the bone damage, contact spots are done for me.”
Rugby did allow Rock to travel the world playing for teams in Australia and New Zealand, with his high point being the Division I national championship garnered by the Raptors in 2011.
American Rugby In State Of Flux
The world of American rugby remains in flux. The prior attempts to create a professional league have not come to fruition with another effort being mounted this summer by the National Football Rugby League that recruited various former NFL players in players combines. The effort is being undertaken by Mac Robertson and Mike Clements, but many in the rugby scene are deeply skeptical as plans have been delayed several times.
The national governing body of American rugby, USA Rugby, has not unified rugby in the country. By way of example, the PRP is not under the egis of USA Rugby but the ARP is. The top collegiate post season championship, the Varsity Cup, is also not part of USA Rugby. Various colleges have indicated that USA Rugby has been unable to obtain top dollar sponsorships and national television contracts for a collegiate championship which they were able to obtain on their own.
World Cup And Olympics
The quadrennial showcase for international rugby union, the World Cup, is scheduled to be played in London this fall and the United States qualified by defeating Uruguay in head to head matches in 2014. The United States will be an underdog to make the quarterfinals, an important feat it has yet to achieve in a World Cup.
USA Rugby was thrilled by the sellout crowd of 61,500 that showed up at Chicago’s Soldier Field in November where the Eagles played the world’s dominant team, the New Zealand All Blacks in an exhibition. The game, however, demonstrated how far American rugby still has to go as the All Blacks crushed the American team 74-6.
Seven-man rugby will be an Olympic event in 2016 in Rio de Janeiro, which American enthusiasts hope will help jump start the sport in the United States, as well as increase the awareness of rugby across the globe. But for the Glendale Raptors first things first, which means taking the PRP title this spring.
by Mark Smiley | Feb 2, 2015 | Editorials
That Is Always The Question For A Newspaper
The international dispute on whether to publish one or more of the Charlie Hebdo cartoons that lampoon Islam is a question that faces publications from the “newspaper of record” The New York Times down to local papers such as the Glendale Cherry Creek Chronicle. We at the Chronicle are fiercely proud of being a local paper covering local news in the Cherry Creek Valley. We, as a matter of general editorial policy, do not cover state, national or international events except where the event directly affects the Cherry Creek Valley.
But the Charlie Hebdo cartoons and their censorship does directly affect us in the Cherry Creek Valley. Charlie Hebdo is a French publication out of Paris, that until the controversy and butchering of 12 people in the offices of that publication by two French jihadists, had a circulation that was significantly smaller than the Chronicle. As an editorial board we are saddened by the decision of The New York Times and certain other national publications not to publish the cartoons. The reason given by the Times executive editor Dean Baquet was, “Out of respect to our readers we have avoided those we felt were offensive.”
The rationale rings hollow. The Times relishes printing materials offensive to some of its Jewish and Christian readers including artwork from a Holocaust-denying Iranian cartoonist Maziar Bijani, and Andres Serrano whose most famous work of “art” is titled “Piss Christ.” When a University of Southern California journalism professor challenged Baquet calling his decision “absolute cowardice,” Baquet went on Facebook to call the professor an “A**hole.” It is said that if you’re taking flak, you’re over the target.
The New York Times is not just any paper. Most of the members of this editorial board grew up venerating that publication. The failure to publish the cartoons reveals far deeper problems at that institution. It was reported that one of the killers in Paris stated to a woman, “I’m not going to kill you because you’re a woman, we don’t kill women, but you must convert to Islam, read the Quran and cover yourself” before shouting “Allah Akbar.” The Times bizarrely changed the quote to “Don’t be afraid, calm down, I won’t kill you. You are a woman. But think about what you are doing. It’s not right.”
Why would the publication falsely change a quote except that the editor understands that the Times fears offending the sensibilities of some of its Muslim readers that it will falsify quotes. What a fall from grace by what was once America’s most respected and courageous newspaper.
We print here five Charlie Hebdo cartoon covers including the edition printed after the massacre, at right, which has sold over a million copies. What is surprising is how relatively bland the cartoons are. France does not have a particularly strong tradition of free speech, notwithstanding the parade of the notables in Paris and the holding up of pens and pencils. In 1990 under the Gayssot Act, it became illegal to question crimes against humanity under the London Charter of 1945 which would cover the Holocaust but potentially much more.
French laws also make any communication deemed hate or discriminatory speech criminal which are so broadly defined that it conceivably covers virtually any type of statement that a governmental official may deem offensive. Under this very broad law septuagenarian actress Bridget Bardot was convicted of hate speech in 2008 and fined $11,920 for alluding to Muslims as leading “us around by the nose, which destroys our country.”
Following the Charlie Hebdo massacre French comedian Dieudonné was arrested for simply saying on a Facebook entry, “Tonight, as far as I’m concerned, I feel like Charlie Coulibaly” mixing the last name of the killer who held hostages at a Jewish deli and the first name of the magazine. In France, as is the case of The New York Times, what is highly offensive is very much subjective.
We do not think it is of any great act of courage for us to print the Charlie Hebdo cartoons although, as noted above, the French magazine had a circulation significantly less than this publication at the time of the massacre. When we printed a story on “How Powerful Is Islam in the Valley — Could Rioting and Bombing in Europe Come Here Some Day (Local Islamic Center Asserts It Is The Victim of Discrimination)” on the front page of the December 2005 issue of the Chronicle, we certainly received our share of irate calls that suggested acts of violence against the paper. But that goes with the territory.
The Editorial Board has to consider whether to print or not to print what may be considered controversial stories virtually every edition. We view as part of our job to comfort the afflicted and afflict the comfortable. We have printed stories that have offended, among others, the mayor of Denver, the Denver D.A ., the executive director of the Denver Department of Planning and Development, well connected real estate developers in the Cherry Creek Valley, powerful union officials, and certain powers that be in Glendale.
As a result we have lost our fair share of advertising along with access to various public officials. But what is the point of publishing a newspaper if it is not to print the truth, at least as we see it? We understand we do not have a monopoly on the truth as readers are happy to point out in the letters and emails to the paper. Occasionally a reader will write that this paper is certainly “not” The New York Times. Sadly that statement is no longer the insult that it once was intended to be.
— Editorial Board
by Valley Gadfly | Feb 2, 2015 | Valley Gadfly
This is the month lovers take sweethearts to enjoy everything from classical music to blues, from hip hop to pop and opera to honky tonk. We listen to artists as diverse as Marilyn Manson, Yo Yo Ma, Billy Joel and Raul Midón. February love fables are magic. We venture beyond ourselves, tell tall tales and do things we would never do alone.
Personal encounters and mythical ventures are no longer figments of imagination. We trust that our blemished love tales will play to wacky lyrics and inaudible guitars.
Here’s our openhearted love-chart choices for shopping, dining and entertainment for fairytale fun so when the love bug bites you and your love won’t soon depart:
3 For fairytale Valentine’s fun the Denver Jewish Film Festival is a treat movie lovers won’t want to miss. Choose from 28 films showing in the Elaine Wolf Theatre at the JCC, Feb. 4-15. Information: 303-316-6360.
3 Enjoy the beauty of love during the Art Student League’s Delectable show in the Carson Gallery, Feb. 4-March 14. Information: 303-778-6990.
3 Make your home a spot in love universe by selecting colorful stones and tiles from CAPCO, the state’s largest distributor. Designers will be your cupid and help you create a beautiful space. Information: 303-759-1919.
3 Thinking of birds, bees and blooms? Then go to the Convention Center’s Colorado Garden & Home Show, Feb. 7-15. Information: 303-932-8100.
3 Enjoy the “sweetest sound around” at Dakota Blonde’s annual Valentine’s Day concert Feb. 14 in Daniels Hall at Swallow Hill, 8 p.m. Information: 303-777-1003.
3 Spice up Valentine’s Day with Prime Rib, Filet Mignon or NY Steak served with Lobster Tail at the Monaco Inn. Information: 303-320-1104.
3 Share a sidesplitting musical comedy with your sweetheart as Jane Lynch entertains at DCPA’s Ellie on Feb. 14, 8 p.m. Information: 303-893-4100.
3 Make a V-Day date to see the romantic musical comedy The Fantasticks playing at the Aurora Fox through Feb. 15. Information: 303-739-1970.
3 Give love a twirl as Ballet Ariel performs “The Sorcerer’s Apprentice” and other dances at the Cleo Robinson Theatre, Feb. 21 at 7:30 p.m. and again on Feb. 22, 3 p.m. The breathtaking music by Paul Dukas made famous in Disney’s Fantasia is brought to life by dancing goblins and a bumbling apprentice. There are also excerpts from the classical ballet Raymonda, including the beautiful grand pas. Information: 303-945-4388.
In Shakespeare’s time about 400 years ago, the second month of the year was called “Feverell.” In Isaac Newton’s time 100 years later it had become “Februeer.” The modern name, February, is only about a hundred years old. Despite its status as the shortest month, February is packed with an array of Valentine events.
It was Carl Jung (1875-1961) that said the meeting of two personalities is like the contact of two chemical substances: If there is any reaction, both are transformed.
Later Thomas Dewar warned us that love is an ocean of emotions entirely surrounded by expenses. Mark Twain recommended that when you fish for love, bait with your heart not your brain. Finally, it was John Lennon who said, “All you need is love.” May your February be truly fabulous and your inner coyote continue to howl!
— Glen Richardson
The Valley Gadfly can be reached at newspaper@glendalecherrycreek.com.
by Mark Smiley | Feb 2, 2015 | Feature Story Middle Left
A recent football game presented an interesting technology challenge. I could either attend a birthday party and watch the game there or stay home to watch the game. Prior to leaving for the party, I called ahead to double check they were going to have the game on during the party. Now, I’m not a complete football nut, but I really wanted to watch this game. It was on national television, NBC to be precise. The host surprised me by telling me they did not have cable. My heart stopped. Who doesn’t have cable in 2014 (doesn’t it seem so long ago already)? I stayed home and Mrs. App took Toddler and Baby App to the party. Yes, I did eventually arrive at the party, albeit after the end of the game. It turns out, they canceled their cable a number of months back. They have Apple TV and download shows, which has cut their cost (excluding the Apple TV investment) by 75 percent.
For the longest time, I’ve threatened to cancel DirecTV. The amount of money we spend for cable is insane. For pete’s sake, we rarely watch live television. I would estimate that 90 percent of our viewing is from the DVR. So, I’m making baby steps. Sorry if this is the first you’ve heard of this happening, Mrs. App! Santa delivered an Amazon Fire TV. The cost is $100, which is in the same ballpark as Roku and Apple TV. There are a few alternatives, such as the Amazon Fire Stick and Google Chromecast, both are in the $35 range. I am slowly using Amazon Prime ($99 per year) via the Amazon Fire TV to stream and download movies, shows and music. My goal is to reduce my DirecTV account and eventually turn it off. Another solution may be SlingBox, which streams to multiple devices.
Comcast had a decline in cable subscribers in Q3 of 2014, yet their Internet subscribers grew by 315,000. So what are the cable providers doing? Nothing in the short term, because the subscriber cancelations have not been significant enough. They’ll continue to fleece us until the subscriber base declines at a greater volume. Here’s the interesting news: Cable cutters are not saving as much money as they projected. Take my friend without cable. They are realizing a savings monthly, but their download fees from Apple are increasing and reducing the savings. The cable providers recognize that consumers are willing to pay for downloadable content. They are watching consumers turn toward online television sources, such as Hulu Plus and YouTube. We’re in the beginning stages of how the cable companies are adjusting their offerings. HBO is planning to release their streaming only option in a couple of months.
What does this mean for you? I believe we’ll have more options as consumers. Our providers will not corner us into a package, as they often do today. They’ll begin offering a la carte channels and streaming options. They’ll offer Internet packages. Your bill may not decrease, however I believe we’ll receive more value for our monthly expense. In fact, in a conversation with a cable provider, they are beginning to position: You pick the channels package. The issue they’ve expressed is the fees the cable companies charge isn’t aligned with offering online streaming. I like this option. I’m not shy to spend a few dollars on entertainment, just allow me to pay for what I use.
There are some challenges with the streaming options today. Most of the streaming tools offer the same applications, which means you may need more than one device if you are looking for certain applications. Check out http://goo.gl/mpFbaH for a comparison of streaming devices. Some devices are not Wi-Fi, so you’ll need an Internet cable. The controllers are fairly basic unlike the space command controller the cable providers offer. Some of the online channels require an actual cable subscription to view.
How can you reduce your bill today? Ask your provider to consider adjusting your monthly fee. Select the cancellation option when calling in. Seriously, are you that married to one provider? Leave! You’re not changing football allegiances from the Broncos to the Patriots! Consider an HD antenna and an over the air DVR. Don’t go cheap on the antenna! Keep the receipt and check the return policy. Make sure NBC comes in clear. An antenna is roughly $100, DVR $50 (TiVo) plus a $15 per month fee. This will provide you with the local stations. Any of the streaming options I mentioned earlier will work. Most have access to a number of streaming, often overlapping applications. I went with Amazon Fire because we are Amazon Prime members. With some patience and homework, I am confident your monthly cable expenses can be reduced. Buyer beware though! Be careful what we wish for. Don’t be surprised that you soon find yourself at a friend’s house wondering why the big game isn’t on.
Do you have a favorite app you’d like to share? Contact Brian at brian@brianzabro ski.com, on Twitter @BrianZab or LinkedIn at www.linkedin.com/in/brianzab.
Brian, a Corporate Account Executive with NetSuite, has spent nearly 20 years in the telecommunications and software industry. Businesses use NetSuite software to run and manage all of their business applications. It’s web-based, so businesses can access their information from anywhere; It’s flexible, which allows the software to be customized for their business; and, it is built on a single platform, which businesses appreciate since they can often eliminate multiple software solutions. Trending companies, such as Box, GoPro, FitBit and Dropbox use this software to run their business. Reach out to Brian to learn how your business can benefit with this software.
