by Mark Smiley | Nov 21, 2014 | Editorials
Brian Vogt
In letters and e-mails to the Glendale Cherry Creek Chronicle, readers have asked us if we remember as many people working for the City and County of Denver that are totally devoid of ethics and competency as there are under Mayor Hancock. We admit that individuals like Lauri Dannemiller, the Manager of Parks and Recreation; Scott Martinez, City Attorney; and Brad Buchanan, Executive Director of Community Planning and Development, are sadly lacking in the skills and morals that any decent administration would seek along with many of the Mayor’s disgraceful appointments at the Sheriff’s Department. But that does not mean there are not tremendous people who work for the City and County of Denver.
One of the greatest of the public servants in Denver is Brian Vogt, the CEO of Denver Botanic Gardens. Appointed in 2007 to his post during the Hickenlooper administration he hit the ground running at the Botanic Gardens and hasn’t let up. In addition to being a highly adept businessman and administrator his warm outgoing personality has won the Botanic Gardens myriads of friends in the areas around the facility which has not always had the best of neighborhood relations. Given the enormous growth involving construction at the Botanic Gardens during his tenure the good neighborhood relations is no small feat.
Vogt came to his position as the ninth CEO of the Botanic Gardens with extraordinary curriculum vitae. He went to the University of Colorado at Boulder and spent a year in England studying Greek Stoic Epicurean philosophy. He served for 14 years as the president of the South Metro Chamber of Commerce, growing that organization into a regional powerhouse. He occupied three cabinet positions in Governor Bill Owens’ administration including the director of the Colorado Office of Economic Development where he supervised the Colorado Tourism Office and the Colorado Council on the Arts. After leaving the employ of government when Bill Ritter came to the governor’s office he had his own consulting company, ProCounsel Co. LLC. where he was able to understand the challenges of running a small business up close and personal.
He needed all of his skills developed over a lifetime when he began his hegemony over the organization. Attendance was down with a perennial lack of funds for projects and poor morale among the employees. He first addressed staff concerns by providing opportunities for employees to use their own initiative for projects which paid enormous dividends for the Gardens. He then hit the street looking for additional funding, a task that is an ongoing critical part of this job. He discovered he was good, very good, at raising funds for the Botanic Gardens.
As a result of the fundraising efforts, there began an $80 Million Master Plan Development Plan which included a badly needed three story parking garage, a visitor’s center, a greenhouse and a Children’s Garden that has been a spectacular hit. The building and renewing has never stopped and this last year a Japanese Garden and a Bonsai Pavilion and Tea Garden opened up.
Making the Gardens a fresh new and abundant experience is all part of the challenge. Having overseen the Colorado Council on the Arts he recognized how the visual arts could greater further the Botanic Gardens mission of bringing plants and people together. He brought in the sculptures of Henry Moore to the Gardens in 2010 to rave reviews. In 2014 came the incredible art of Dale Chihuly to the Gardens which to Vogt’s delight the exhibit was controversial to some greatly increasing attendance. The exhibit was such a success that Chihuly himself came last month to the Gardens and generous donors paid for one of the sculptures to be permanently installed.
The difference between Brian Vogt and Brad Buchanan, Scott Martinez and Laura Danamiller is that the former is trying to make something great for the people of the City and County of Denver and Colorado as a whole while the latter are individuals hoping to line their own pockets or at least are so desperate for a government sinecure they will do anything to retain their jobs.
We all would like to think that the majority of the employees of the city are closer to an admirable Brian Vogt than a widely reviled Brad Buchanan. Yes the appointees of Mayor Michael Hancock are by and large a disappointment to all honorable citizens of the city but they are only a fraction of the whole. Hancock and his real estate developer overlords hold sway today but even they will pass on and hopefully there will be enough Brian Vogt types who will remain for a great city to build anew from all the damage that the greed and avarice of the Michael Hancock era has brought.
— Editorial Board
by Mark Smiley | Nov 21, 2014 | Feature Story Middle Left
Dear Santa,
I am writing my annual letter to you asking for a few things. I know I’ll be lucky and grateful to receive even one item on this list. There are those who are less fortunate, so please take care of those in need first. Regardless, in case you’re struggling with what to give me this year, here are a few ideas:
An iPhone6 without a power button on the side of the phone. How can Apple let this happen? Do they expect us to hold the phone with two fingers to avoid pressing the button during a conversation thus ending said conversation? Do they expect us to use the uncomfortable provided earbuds? Move back to the top of the phone, please.
iPhone training classes for Grandpa App. My Dad, recently retired after mis-delivering mail for the past 35 years with the USPS, now has an iPhone. He doesn’t own a computer and thought wifi on the door of a restaurant was a food special. I’m now teaching him how to use the phone. It’s as if I added a third kiddo to the house. Oh, and FaceTime. He loves it. Uses it all the time and gets mad if I cannot communicate in like fashion. Welcome to the 2000s Dad!
Giving our readers some neat apps and tech gifts, such as: Venmo | Mobile payment. Now your friends can’t duck out of repaying you. Think of it. You buy lunch (again) because your friend forgot their wallet. I bet they didn’t forget their phone. Send them a link to Venmo for payment on the spot. MapQuest Roadside Assistance | Using the Denver-based MapQuest app, roadside assistance can be requested without the need of a traditional, expensive membership. Refuel Smart Propane Tank Gauge | Device attaches to your propane tank to deliver on demand propane levels via wifi or by pressing a button on the gauge. App shows the level of propane in the tank. The button gives a green or red indicator light. JBL Clip | Wearable Bluetooth speaker. Flux Capacitor USB Car Charger | Yes. The flux capacitor theme from Back to the Future. Worth the Google to check out the image.
Ask our stores to honor one holiday at a time. I believe I witnessed a first, but definitely not last (unfortunate) trend in October. Target had an aisle for Christmas next to the Halloween aisle. In fact, on November 1, the Halloween decorations were down, Christmas decorations were up, and above the soda machine was a sad little sign that said, “Happy Thanksgiving.” The Pilgrims must be so disappointed.
Michael Buble’s voice. You can ask, right?
Touchscreen Gloves. November was frigid! Touchscreen gloves allow you to interact with your device’s screen without removing your gloves. Check out Amazon.
A free year of Amazon Prime. Streaming videos, free two day shipping and now unlimited cloud photo storage. Did you hear that? Unlimited photo storage. When your device is connected to wifi (no Dad, not the restaurant lunch special), photos sync automatically. You had me at hello!
Lots of gift cards. I never know what I want so gift cards are always the gift that keeps on giving. Try cashcard.com to buy or sell gift cards. The site lists cards from 1-35% off face value at most major retailers. A $75 card will cost only $52.50. They’ll also buy your gift cards up to 92% of face value. Gyft is an app that will manage all of the gift cards for you. No need to haul the cards back to the mall.
A parking spot in Cherry Creek. With a purchase from a restaurant or store in Cherry Creek North, you can use the complimentary valet. Check out cherrycreek north.com for valet locations. If you are lucky enough to find a parking spot at the mall, use FindMyCar to set the location, add a note and take a picture.
Less time in line to see you. We need to take the annual, awkward family Santa Claus photo, but I dread the thought of waiting in line. Can someone tell me why there is not one Santa location in Denver with an app allowing us to sign up for the line in advance? The Santa photo business must be profitable based on the absurd amount of money I’ll pay for a goofy photo. Let’s see, 500 families in line at $50 per family. You get the picture. Bass Pro Shops offer a Bass Pass, which gives you a 30 minute window for the line. If you’re looking for a listing of Santas, check out milehigh onthecheap.com/see-santa/. This site is fabulous. Each Thursday, they list things to do for that weekend for free or at a nominal cost. The YMCA at Infinity Park will have Santa visit on December 11.
In all honesty Santa, I’m blessed with a great App Family. You can pass along our gifts to others in need. Cheers to you and yours!
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.
by Mark Smiley | Nov 21, 2014 | Feature Story Bottom Left
Every December, in the spirt of the holidays, I rip off a Christmas carol and change up the lyrics and I use my column to write a poem. Last year I wrote “Randolph the Unlucky Dater” to the tune of Rudolph The Red Nose Reindeer and I must say I love that piece, if you haven’t had a chance to read it you can find it on www.themoderndater.com.
This year I was inspired by an old friend and mentor of mine, Glendale Cherry Creek Chronicle columnist Peter Boyles. A month or two ago I was reading one of Peter’s articles titled “My Life Sucks, Part Two,” when I couldn’t help but be touched by his words, mainly because of how well I know him and how enormous this man’s heart is. Essentially Peter wrote about what it is like for him to be old and lonely and how he feels like finding love has passed him by. I truly believe it is never too late for love and that there is someone for everyone. In that spirit, this year I dedicate my Christmas poem to Peter! So without further ado and many apologies to Frosty the Snowman I present to you, “Talker The Old Man.”
Talker the old man, what a very empty soul,
With a microphone and a radio show, and two ex-wives with half his dough.
Talker the old man, is a lonely guy, they say.
He’s really low, ’cause the ladies know he has a limited time to play.
There must be magic left in his heart that he had found,
Finding true love is what he wants, before he’s six feet in the ground.
Oh, Talker, the old man, is alive as he could be;
But the women say I think he’s old and gay,
And he’s not the one for me.
Vroom vroom vroom, vroom vroom vroom, Look at his motorcycle go.
Talker the old man, he knew the sun was out that day,
So he said, “Let’s ride, and we’ll have some fun, all I have is today.”
All through the village, with his throttle in his hand,
Searching here and there, for a woman who’s fair,
Sayin’, “there must be one for this old man.”
He burned rubber down the streets of town, where his back tire popped;
He paused for a moment, when he heard her holler, “Stop!”
For Talker, the old man, had to hurry on his way,
But when he waved goodbye she had a tear in her eye and they fell in love that day!
The moral to this poem is, Peter, everyone, no matter how hard you look for love, love will always find you. The kicker is you never know when it’s going to happen and you always have to be open and ready.
I want to use my column this Christmas as a gift to Peter, to help love find him. Now more than ever I know he’s ready. This column has a great female readership and I know one of you ladies out there would love to have a man like Pete. I’m not too sure how Peter is going to feel about this but I’m going to roll the dice and work my magic and set him up on some holiday dates. If you’re interested shoot me an email at themoderndater@gmail .com with a photo and a few words about yourself and why you think you would be a good match for Pete. Because I know Peter as well as I do, I think I have a good idea of his type of lady. If you fit that type I’ll set up a date. Of course I will write a follow up article that will update you on Peter’s journey to find love.
In other news The Modern Dater date club is shaping up with a great group of single men and women from the Denver area. The club is big enough now that we can all go on some great excursions that I am cooking up. If you want in on The Modern Dater club drop me an email and I’ll give you more information on how you can join in.
Merry Christmas and Happy New Year! I look forward to talking to you all again next year!
Your Pal,
Santa Sheik
by Peter Boyles | Nov 21, 2014 | Blasting with Boyles
As a young boy growing up I could catch the Christmas spirit right after Thanksgiving. I attended a little blue collar working class elementary school, William McKinley, and we would sing Christmas carols — remember when you could do that? Such political incorrectness as Silent Night, Little Town of Bethlehem and Santa Claus is coming to Town. There’s now fatwa by the high lord executioners in political correctness that prohibits all such merriment in today’s public schools. All of this good cheer and peace on earth must be stomped out and be replaced by the winter solstice.
So here’s a list of holiday celebrations I knew nothing about as a boy. Hanukkah. Kwanza. Ramadan and, of course, Festivus.
So let me bring a little focus on this time of the year. The funeral home across from the main gate of the steel mill I worked in was O’Neil’s. Run by a bunch of Irish drunks named O’Neil. One of the great things the O’Neils would do is put a live nativity scene in their front yard that consisted of a couple of dairy cows, a couple of sheep and maybe a goat. But I remember being in the sixth grade and from the cradle there was a beam of light that shone at night because this was the bed of the baby Jesus. I snuck under O’Neil’s fence, which was right across the street of the Edgewater Tavern to discover that the micks had put a bare 50-watt light bulb and extension cord in a little wooden cradle and I was shocked to see that a GE light bulb represented the Baby Jesus. Looking back on that I think it was my break point. After that the holidays have pretty much gone downhill.
Here is what I think of the various elements that help make up the yuletide season:
Decorating
I hate decorating. My father and members of his relatives put up a string of lights that would stay there 365 days a year. Plug that baby in December first, unplug it a couple of days after the New Year and neighbors would tell the old man if a bulb was out.
Christmas Trees
I always thought that the tree was supposed to go up on Christmas Eve. It took my brother Jeff to figure out the reason we always got the tree on Christmas Eve was that it was as cheap as it was going to get. Selling a tree on Christmas Eve is like trying to sell a dead cat; no one wanted one. The old man would wait to 6 p.m. on Christmas Eve, go to Allegheny Boulevard and buy a good tree. What are the odds he was not going to get a good deal? By the way, only later in life did I discover that bubble lights weren’t just for the rich people.
Shopping
I hate shopping. I’m not a good gift buyer or giver. I always like women that would do their own shopping and I would just pay for it and of course you can never go wrong with cold hard cash. I’ve written about him before but I had a wonderful Uncle Barnie who was a Seabee and worked on a dredge on the Allegheny River. The greatest gift package he ever gave me was a knife and a cigarette lighter that, when you tipped it upside down, the sailor girl’s clothes came off. For a sixth grade kid that’s the mother lode. A knife and a nude woman.
Fighting
Fighting may not be a standard Christmas night activity for all ethnic groups but it is a venerated Irish tradition. Now the Mayor of Glendale and recent gubernatorial candidate Mike Dunafon and I had discussed and pondered this question. How many times on Christmas Eve did the tree get knocked over? It’s like the Richter scale if you ever saw your uncle fall into the Christmas tree or somebody pushed him in. I’m telling you, that’s Christmas. Fighting is part of that.
The Blues
I know for many it is the most wonderful time of the year, but I find myself suffering once again from the Christmas time blues. I don’t seem to get them on Halloween or Groundhog Day, the Fourth of July or Labor Day. I know I’m not alone and as my friends say there’s standing room only at AA.
Santa
I don’t hate Santa but then again we have the Easter Bunny, the Tooth Fairy, God and Jesus. We teach kids they’re all real. But now with a grandson I think it will be most fun to watch him fall in love with Santa.
Let’s recap. How many times are we going to listen to Mariah Carey’s “All I want for Christmas is You.” Do you remember your drunk parents? Remember getting Christmas cards you have no idea who they were from? Living on nothing but turkey-based meals for a week after Christmas?
Once those presents are unwrapped it’s depressing. So I don’t want to be too middle class and we’ll ignore the obvious target of big box stores moving product. But doesn’t every one of us remember when they found out Father Christmas does not exist. Why it is shocking is because your sainted parents have simply been lying to you for the first seven or eight years of your life.
My real problem is that I never did get that pony.
So happy “ramanahanakwanzma. “ No “Merry Christmas.”
Put up your holiday tree and shut up. Remember this folks, Christmas trees are a pagan ritual. Happy New Year.
— Peter
