by Mark Smiley | Aug 29, 2014 | Main Articles
Complaints Flood City
The low slung masonry building at the corner of East Virginia Avenue and South Colorado Boulevard has been a Glendale landmark for over a half century, originally housing Club Monaco, and later such iconic businesses as Andy’s Smorgasbord, the Bavarian Inn, and, since 1982, Shotgun Willie’s adult nightclub. Today, however, the abandoned and graffitied building is an eyesore which has drawn complaints from businesses up and down Colorado Boulevard as well as residents of Glendale and Denver.
In November 2013, Shotgun Willie’s moved out of the building to the adjoining lot on which it had constructed its own new building. The City of Glendale condemned a portion of the land to provide a right turn lane due to the increased traffic generated by the adjoining Super Target. The old Shotgun Willie’s building and lot is owned by the Anthony Marino Family Trust.
After complaints at City Council meetings, the City threatened the Family Trust that it would declare the property a nuisance and tear down the building itself and bill the Family Trust its “applicable share.”
On August 15, however, Glendale and the Family Trust entered into a formal agreement whereby the City of Glendale granted a temporary construction easement for two months and will pay $10,000 toward the demolition of the building by Dave Stefanich, Inc. d/b/a All Demolition Excavating Company, a contractor of the Family Trust.
While the agreement does not mandate the demolition by any certain date, the two-month temporary easement would appear to require the destruction of the building by no later than October 15, 2014.
Marcus Rice, who went to a Glendale City Council meeting to complain about the abandoned building stated, “It is good news that building will be coming down in the near future. Glendale is turning into such a great place but the property was hurting the image of Glendale as well as that of Colorado Boulevard.”
Debbie Mathews, the majority owner of Shotgun Willie’s, noted, “We loved that old building while we were a tenant for decades but nobody is happier to find out that the City and the Anthony Marino Family Trust have come to an agreement to clean up the corner which our new building is directly behind. Sounds like a win-win for everyone involved.”
by Valley Gadfly | Aug 29, 2014 | Valley Gadfly
Hot, chic, typical, crazy, outrageous, amazing, innovative or tacky, fads and trends come and go and are the bookmarks of a certain time. As the hot weather slowly comes to a halt we’re feeling a bit contemplative about where to go and what to do. But autumn will fly by in a flash so take advantage of the crisp weather and fall foliage.
A fad, like food trucks, is a practice or interest that we follow for a period of time with exaggerated zeal. Strange as it may be, fads and trends reshape what we do.
So in the name of turning over a fall leaf, here are our choices for shopping, dining and entertainment to keep you as trendy as the hottest, latest outrageous fad:
3 Beautiful flowers never go out of style and the Dahlia is among the prettiest. See large arrangements on display at the Dahlia Society Show at Paulino Gardens, Sept. 6-7, 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Information: 303-429-8062.
3 For fab free fall fun take in the Cherry Creek East’s Jazz Concert in Pulaski Park Sept. 8, 6:30 p.m. Information: www.cherrycreekeast.org.
3 Zoom in on American West color photography at opening reception at Robert Anderson Gallery, Sept. 12, 5-8 p.m. Information: 303-871-0800.
3 To be safe attend the Public Safety Expo at South High’s parking lot with food and live music Sept. 13, 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Information: 720-210-4056.
3 Make a good night’s sleep more than a passing fad by trying better mattresses for a better price from the recently opened SleepNation in Century 21 Plaza on South Colorado Blvd. Information: 303-954-9435.
3 For fabulous weekend football brunch specials plus happy hour all day hang out at the Monaco Inn Restaurant. Information: 303-320-1104.
3 Hop, skip and jump with the kids as they crawl, trot and run the kid course at the Children’s Museum Sept. 21, 9 a.m. Information: 303-561-0104.
3 Start a trend by watching Latin, Mexican, & European films showing at CineLatino in the Sie FilmCenter Sept. 25-26. Information: 720-381-0813.
3 This month’s hottest, hippest stage show is Grace playing at the John Hand Theatre, Sept. 4-27. This is a darkly funny, often hilarious, deadly serious and provocative play. Basically the story is an exploration of human assumption about how God, goodness, faith and causality operate. Performances are Thursday through Sunday plus a show on Monday, Sept. 27th. Information: 303-999-9143.
Whether we want to admit it or not we latch onto fads in fashion, pop culture, technology, and yes, even fads in foods. Every month it seems there’s a new “it” something. Smartphones, today’s mega technology trend, will likely seem ridiculous to people in 15 years. We’ll probably just have chips on wristwatches or in our heads.
Every eatery serves the latest craze — desserts with bacon, catfish croquettes, kiwi cocktails. But soon the fad fades, and the flavor of the week will settle into obscurity.
For fall fun get lost in a corn maze, go for a hayride or take a hot-air balloon ride. How about renting a cabin in the mountains or tailgating at football games? The latest wacky fad is banning automobile parking on city streets. You see cars are just a passing fad. Then again I’m going to start writing letters again once the email fad passes.
— Glen Richardson
