by Valley Gadfly | Sep 26, 2023 | Main Articles
We Have Bats In Our Belfry, As The One-Day Holiday Is Now A Month Of Freakish Parties, Spooky Street People, Ghoulish Shows
by Glen Richardson
Hoot And A Scream: Spooktacular displays such as Wild Fall and Glow at the Gardens are among Halloween events that create vocal expressions of creepy feeling from attendees.
Straddling the line between fall and winter, plenty and shortage, life and death, Halloween is a time of celebration and superstition.
It has become a month of ghoulish, hilarious fun in the Cherry Creek Valley. An amusing, exciting month when people project their fears in a safe and playful way.
Here’s the Chronicle’s monster month list of bewitching places to go and things to do to have a “fang-tastic” time while keeping “spirits” bright:
Sweet & Scary Cherry Creek Shopping, Oct. 1-31 — The spirit of Halloween once again lurks in this popular business district, pressing families to prowl among more than 300 stores for fall fashions, home furnishings, and accessories. The district is lined with pumpkins and decorations, plus food trucks selling treats and hot cocoa. Information: 303-394-2904.
Fright Fest, Oct. 1-28 — Elitch Gardens is transformed weekly on Sat.-Sun. from a day theme-water park into a family Halloween Fright By Night escapade. Information: 303-595-4386.
Denver Horror Story Cabaret, Oct. 5-26 — The most haunted room in town presents a burlesque tribute to the characters of American Horror Story, 7-8:30 p.m. Information: 303-293-0075.
Halloween Howls: October begins a month-long list of ghoulish, hilarious Halloween events for families to celebrate the holiday in a safe, playful way.
Mile High Horror Film Festival, Oct. 6-12 — In its unlucky 13th year, enjoy terrifying tales, performances by actors and actresses, plus horror-sci-fi films at various spots around Denver. Information: mhhff.com.
Oddities & Curiosities Expo, Oct. 7 — Shop Halloween artwork, antiques, skulls, bones, and funeral collectibles at the Convention Center, 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Information: 303-447-0816.
The Twi-Fright Zone, Oct. 11 — Indigo Moon & Soul Penny Circus does Science Fiction Tales, Horror Tropes, at the Clocktower Cabaret, 7 p.m. Information: 303-293-0075.
Ghosts In The Gardens, Oct. 12-15 & Oct. 26-29 — Conjure up your courage as you walk Denver Botanic Gardens’ dimly lit paths after hours and listen to haunting stories. Feeling bold, visit the Beaux-Arts style mansion, 5:30-10:30 p.m. Information: 720-865-3500.
Friday The 13th, Oct. 13 — Canadian group Aerialists entertains followed by Halloween movies at Wings Over the Rockies Museum, 6:30 to 9:15 p.m. Information: 303-369-5360.
Pumpkin Harvest Festival, Oct. 14-15 — Pick pumpkins, shop vendor market, while enjoying music and performances at Four Mile Historic Park, 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Information: 720-865-0800.
Bigfoot Forward: The Denver Zoo is swapping Boo at the Zoo for Wild Fall this year. Event has Bigfoot and costumed creatures, but focus is on education and connecting guests with nature.
Glow At The Gardens, Oct. 17-22 — The Denver Botanic Gardens will once again glow in a one-of-a-kind incandescent spectacle filled with family Halloween fun. Lined with a spooktacular display of massive, glowing jack-o’-lanterns that light up the night, guests will get the full creepy feeling of the Halloween season. Bands and performing artists play classic Halloween favorites during shows which are accompanied by food and drinks, 6-9 p.m. Information: 720-865-3500.
Wild Fall, Oct. 18-28 — The Denver Zoo is replacing “Boo at the Zoo,” — celebrated since the 1990s — with a jamboree titled “Wild Fall” this year. Albeit somewhat similar, the new zoo-sanctioned event will have a stronger focus on education and connecting attendees with nature. In the spirit of Halloween, the event will include costumed creatures, Bigfoot, professional pumpkin carvings, and animal demonstrations. Children can also enjoy face painting and pumpkin decoration stations. The event, however, won’t have trick-or-treat stations. Information: 720-337-1400.
Parade On Broadway: As Halloween hoots intensify, the 6th annual Broadway Halloween Parade drums-up excitement for the holiday. Spooky floats, bands, and marchers trek from 5th Ave. to Alameda on Oct. 23, starting at 6 p.m.
Broadway Halloween Parade, Oct. 23 — Costumed spectators are again expected to line up along the stretch of Broadway from 5th Ave. to Alameda Ave. for the Broadway Halloween Parade. Hosted by the Broadway Merchants Assn., the 6th annual procession will feature assorted spooky floats, ban
ds, and marchers. The parade is expected to start at approximately 6 p.m. Once the parade ends everyone is invited to join the marchers on the street. An assortment of local merchants, restaurants, and theaters offer post events to complement and enhance the festivities. Information: 303-282-0377.
Harvest Hoot, Oct. 27-28 — Wear costume while enjoying fall activities, fang-tastic bites, and games at the Children’s Museum at Marsico Campus, 9 a.m.-4 p.m. Information: 303-433-7444.
Halloween Haunt, Oct. 28 — Evening of creepy crafts, pumpkin decorating, crawly critters, and games for kids & adults hosted by Four Mile Park, 4:30-8:30 p.m. Information: 720-865-0800.
Coloween, Oct. 28-29 — The biggest among dozens of h
Fantasy And Fashion: Coloween, city’s biggest Halloween party, has a fantasy- fashion theme this year. Event moves to the 50,000-sq.-ft. Stockyards Event Center, Oct. 28-29.
uge Denver Halloween parties, this year’s Halloween Ball moves to the 50,000-sq.-ft. Stockyards Event Center, 8 p.m.-2 a.m. This year’s “Fantasy and Fashion” themed party will feature club and EDM DJs, local talents, plus mind-bending immersive installations. Dressed attendees compete to win $2,000 in costume cash prizes. Information: 720-663-1414.
Halloween Spooktacular, Oct. 29 — Concert for all boys and ghouls, features music from films & TV. Wear costumes for a ghostly-good time at Boettcher, 2.30 p.m. Information: 303-623-7876.
Protect The Hero, Oct. 31 — Ontario’s Canadian progressive metal band celebrates Halloween with the Moon Tooth band at the Bluebird Theater, 8 p.m. Information: 303-377-1666.
by Valley Gadfly | Sep 26, 2023 | Main Articles
RugbyTown Pursues Peaceful Pickleball-Tennis Court Plan; Renovated, Renamed Mir Park Will Have Four Pickleball Courts
by Glen Richardson
Glendale Gathering Place: Glendale Sports Center has three indoor pickleball courts, plus four outdoor courts. Players have access to food, restrooms, water, and lights.
Pickleball is Denver’s and America’s fastest growing sport, but as the pastime has exploded in popularity, so have sports squabbles. The pock-pock and pop of the wooden paddle against the plastic wiffle ball is jarring people in neighborhoods nationwide.
With a broad new fan base in Denver, and across the state, a limited number of pickleball courts are causing constant battles. Sleep-loving neighbors, tennis players, and schoolchildren say their courts and playgrounds are being seized by pickleball players. Shouting matches, turf wars, and worse are the result. “Pickleball Is The Wild, Wild, West,” a Sports Illustrated cover story characterized the constant bad behavior and fighting.
In March of last year, the City of Denver created a fury by arresting 71-year-old Arslan Guney — known as “the Mayor of Pickleball” — for drawing squares on the basketball court at the Central Park Rec Center. A short time later, Denver closed Congress Park courts because of noise complaints. The city also put plans for a new court in Sloan’s Lake on hold because of noise worries. Further south, Centennial imposed a moratorium on court construction within 500-ft. of homes, also due to noise unease.
Complaints, Claims
Pickleball Poaching: Like so many courts across the metro area, Glendale’s two outdoor tennis courts were dominated by pickleball players, preventing residents from playing tennis.
Accusations of “Mafia tactics” and drones sent on intelligence-gathering missions, are among the accusations made in San Diego’s pickleball-tennis war. In San Francisco, legions of pickleball players crave more space to play, claiming to be “brushed off” by San Francisco’s Parks & Recreation Department.
In New York City, community boards have taken up complaints from parents of school children who say their youngsters have to compete for public park space with pickleball players. In Florida and dozens of other states, residents who live near courts constantly complain about noise, according to press reports.
From 100-ft. away, experts say pickleball whacks can reach 70-dBA — a measure of decibels used to gauge sound level. Everyday outside background noise typically tops off at a “somewhat annoying 55,” according to accounts.
Peaceful Paddle Play
Rebirth, Revival: Rejuvenation of Mir Park will feature pickleball courts, plus a new basketball court, picnic shelter, updated restroom facilities, and landscaping.
The city that brought the pitch (playing field) and rugby to America, is now pitching-in with a plan to promote and build the sport. While municipalities in Colorado and across the nation admit that they aren’t ready to embrace the pickleball paddle battle, Glendale — the tiny 0.6-sq.-mile town surrounded by Denver — is preparing to cuddle and court both tennis and the paddle sport of Pickleball.
Glendale certainly has experience shepherding in a new, growing sport, having built the first U.S. rugby-specific stadium and earning the name RugbyTown USA. Chuck Line — Glendale City Manager — says “it’s about creating diverse opportunities” in the middle of the pickleball boom. The way he sees it, “If people want to play tennis, let them play. If it’s pickleball they want to play, they can play pickleball.”
To ensure the two games play peacefully together, Glendale is separating tennis and pickleball play by making it illegal to bring pickleball nets onto tennis courts and building new courts. A city council ordinance also bars placing chairs or stools on courts, using snow shovels or scrapers on courts, and marking courts with permanent or temporary lines illegal on both pickleball and tennis courts. High-definition cameras will be used to monitor courts. It may be the first ordinance of its kind in Colorado, or possibly the nation. Violations in Glendale can result in a misdemeanor offense.
Playmaker Park
Super Small Spot: Despite not being big and flashy, sports flourish in Glendale. Sports culture continues to be how this competitive community defines and presents itself to the world.
The “you’re more than welcome” outdoor recreation attitude in Glendale sets it apart from the surrounding larger cities. It’s a can-do spirit that makes things happen, rather than the too often tentative, indecisive approach common in surrounding Parks & Recreation sectors.
Now Glendale is renovating, redesigning, and renaming Mir Park — the hidden gem of a park off South Elm St. and East Central Ave. near a Goodwill Center — as Glendale Park.
The nearly $1.5 million rejuvenation project will feature four new Pickleball Courts, a new Basketball Court, new Picnic Shelter, updated Restroom Facilities, landscaping, and more. ECI Site Construction Management, Inc. is doing the upgrades and repair work. Completion is expected as soon as this month. Since the city’s Public Works and the close-knit Glendale-Cherry Creek community hold outdoor spaces in such high regard, both games will once again begin to be thoroughly enjoyed.
Courting Compromise
Glendale Gamechanger: Redesign and renovation of Mir Park is part of city’s pickleball-tennis peacemaking plan. Renamed Glendale Park, greenspace will be four new Pickleball Courts.
Glendale’s two outdoor tennis courts — like so many others across the metro area — have been dominated by pickleball players, preventing residents from playing tennis.
The city even drew pickleball’s smaller court dimensions at the E. Kentucky & S. Birch St. site in an attempt to allow dual-play. Tennis players, however, found the lines distracting during matches. Pickleball poaching was constant, according to Kelly Legler, Glendale Sports Center program manager. “Tennis players were regularly rebuffed,” she notes.
Glendale’s approach of segregating play between designated facilities is a “great compromise” and being applauded by both tennis and pickleball players. Neither the city nor players want tennis excluded. Followers and admirers of each game concur the sports should be splendid together, and have “got to go good together” in the future.
Sports Center Pickleball
Pickleball can also be played at the Glendale Sports Center on E. Kentucky Ave. Managed by the YMCA, there are seven acrylic courts, three are indoors and four are outdoors.
The lines on courts at the Glendale Center are permanent, but players need to bring their own net. Courts are free and players have access to food, restaurants, water, and lights.
Outfitted with modern equipment and offering extensive fitness programs for every age and fitness level, the Center has been a community resource since 2008. Information: 303-639-4711.
by Glendale Sports Center | Sep 26, 2023 | Glendale City News
The Health Beat
One Denver Mom Is Helping The YMCA Transform Lives Through Sports
by Claudia Morlan, YMCA of Metro Denver
When Jessica Giffin first signed up her daughter for the 3rd/4th grade basketball at the YMCA of Metro Denver last year, she had no idea she’d fall into coaching the team. While she “accidentally” volunteered for the position, it was a decision that has proved “the best experience.”
Over the course of two seasons, the University Hills YMCA team became one of the best in their bracket, winning all but a few of their games each season and transformed the lives of students and parents alike.
It didn’t start that way. The first game, Giffin couldn’t make it. The second game, her team lost horribly. “Some of the girls started crying,” she recalls. “I encouraged them that what mattered is that we played with heart, and we became ‘team heart.’ Every game we started with the rally cry ‘We’ve got heart!’”
Transformation began from the inside out. “After the kids started taking ownership, the parents got involved too. Every single member of the girls’ families started showing up for our games. Even the grandparents and extended family started coming.”
As a long-time member of the Y and current Senior Manager of Community Well-being, Giffin is used to leaning in at the Y and has discovered many benefits along the way. This time, her willingness also opened the door to new leadership skills and the esteemed moniker of “coach.”
“The kids wanted to have fun, and all wanted to be in charge,” she shared, “So we had a dance between me letting them take charge of certain areas and learning their strengths… I never thought I’d have the title, but now all my kids call me “coach,” which is super cool.”
For Giffin, it was the perfect opportunity not only to refresh herself on aspects of the sport but to rediscover her own love for basketball. “I played basketball in high school, and I joined a Y rec team with women who played a lot of division 1, 2, or 3 in college,” Giffin explained. “That gave me the basic experience I needed…. If you have any interest or baseline knowledge of a sport, it can be really fun to re-acquaint yourself with it by coaching. Plus, I remembered just how much fun it is to shoot hoops, and now I do that at the beginning of all my workouts.”
What was particularly gratifying was to see the positive impact on the kids and their families.
“One girl who really struggled with our losses wrote me a sweet note at the end of the season about how she appreciated me listening to her and helping her. Her mom shared that her daughter doesn’t like writing and struggled with it in school. So, the fact that she wrote something meant that I made a huge impact on her life,” Giffin added.
The impact extended to her own family. “My daughter is a very headstrong kid, and this was her first team sport. It was really cool to watch her learn how to be a part of the team.”
“It’s about what attitude you bring, showing up for your teammates, and listening to your coach — once they took that to heart, it really made an impact.”
Giffin encourages parents and students who might be interested in joining or coaching a Y sports team to get involved. It’s the kind of experience you won’t want to pass up but pass on.
The YMCA of Metro Denver offers a host of youth sports, egaming and other offerings to the greater Denver area throughout the year. Learn more about all the programs the YMCA has to offer at denverymca.org.
by Peter Boyles | Sep 26, 2023 | Blasting with Boyles
Blasting with Boyles
Opinion
As most of you read the October edition of the award-winning Glendale Cherry Creek Chronicle, I will either have turned 80 or about to become 80 years of age. I can’t get over that, and neither can a lot of my associates, friends, in-laws, and outlaws.
For God’s sake how did I get to be 80? Years ago, I had heart surgery and when the surgeon and his team looked at my health history, I proudly proclaimed no one in my family dies of cancer. To which they retorted no one in your family lives long enough to get cancer.
The things that I’ve thought so much about these last couple of months, having had a couple of pretty major health scares myself, and now, of course, with grandchildren of my own, still with one foot in the radio business, being able to spend time with Chuck and Julie and Mark Smiley, I somewhat remain active. Back in the gym, looking forward to ski season, but for Christs’ sake, how can I be turning 80?
As I say in my prayers, “It’s me God, Peter Boyles, one of your favorite people.” How did I get to 80. And all of the people that I respected and loved and, in many cases, despised and hated are now gone. I can cite names of wonderful radio disc jockeys and talk show hosts, newspaper columnists, television news anchors the likes of Bob Palmer, Bob Martin, Alan Berg, Hal Moore, and Charlie Martin. Columnists like Gene Amole, John Coit, they are now gone and as the Wiffenpoof said, “And forgotten like the rest.”
One thing is for sure it’s been one hell of a ride. Been fired off of jobs, hired on to jobs, married and divorced more than once, gained my sobriety, was in a couple of car wrecks, rode motorcycles with some pretty amazing characters, went to rodeo school and bucked out bulls, jumped out of airplanes, and had my last couple of fights in the ring. And now 80 looms.
I believe that there are people who work for insurance companies that are sort of like bookies, but they’re betting life expectancies after all the things I’ve done to my body. I can always envision one sitting next to another in a big office in New York, and giving the other guy the elbow and saying, “Look at this joker we got in Denver. What are the overs and unders on him?”
When you read what the great minds and philosophers and historians tell us about our lives, some people live them big, and some live them small. Living life big doesn’t necessarily mean good, and living small has its own rewards. I think a lot about my dad who was gone at 63. Most of his brothers went out young as well. Now I’m gonna be 80. This just isn’t fair but I’m not sure to whom. I remember a time in my 30s doing radio where I had the answer to any question any caller would ask. Now I don’t even know what the question is. I don’t know if that’s wisdom or dementia. But for God’s sake, don’t let me turn into Joe Biden.
Happy birthday to me.
— Peter Boyles
