by Mark Smiley | May 27, 2016 | Feature Story Bottom Left
Guest Editorial
Truth, Lies And Coverups
by Nasrin Kholghy
There’s been a lot of talk about our family in the Chronicle and on radio recently — most of it false and ignoring the facts. So here’s the truth.
Glendale is our home. Twenty-seven years ago, we moved our business from the old Cherry Creek Mall to Colorado Boulevard. Our kids played basketball on Birch Street. We enjoy Glendale’s spectacular annual fireworks from the rooftop of our rug store. You’ve driven by our rug store’s distinctive blue awnings many times.
Since our kids had their first birthday parties at Celebrity Fun Center, we’ve been deeply invested in Glendale and its surroundings. Over the decades, we have become good friends with many people in the community; our clients know us on a first-name basis. They’re part of our family. It was no surprise that so many people came to our support when we were threatened with eminent domain abuse and possible condemnation last year. For that, we wholeheartedly thank the people of Glendale and Denver, and everyone that stood up to defend our rights as landowners guaranteed under the Constitution.
We opened our rug store out of necessity then expanded it by choice. Although my husband and I hold UCD electrical engineering degrees, the political environment in 1979 made it impossible to find jobs. Authentic Persian & Oriental Rugs was born out of our need to sell the only thing our father could send from Iran and support family still attending the University of Colorado,
This is a true family business. We all work six or seven days a week. Even friends pitch in. My brother travels abroad frequently to find the best quality rugs and latest designs. My sister and I make certain that every rug sold is the perfect fit for each home — even if we have to drive hundreds of miles to do so.
We would never propose a project that would be an eyesore or detrimental to our community in any way because we live and work here.
In 2007, we first drafted plans for a mixed-use development on our land. That proposal includ-ed cascading terraces overlooking the creek, retail, restaurants and eleven high-end residential units. We understood the plans complied with all Glendale zoning laws, yet we received discouraging feedback. At that time, the Master Plan (page 35) said of our property: “This is the preeminent development site in the City. It contains 6.5 acres. It has frontage along Colorado Boulevard and the Cherry Creek channel and possesses spectacular mountain views. The concept of mixed use along with community amenities can be captured on this site. Ground floor uses would include eating, entertainment and specialty retail. Upper floor use could include office or residential.”
The zoning laws were changed five months later to further restrict residential use. Glendale has steadfastly opposed a residential component despite the fact that it is proven to work.
Homes are essential to building true communities. They help make places safer; people are more concerned about the neighborhood’s appearance and actually take pride in where they live. Residential properties would have the least impact on traffic — we know how bad the traffic can get around Colorado Blvd. and Alameda — easing congestion in general. That was the finding of a 2010 City-financed traffic study and why, in part, we want residential as part of our plan.
Glendale 180 envisions a downtown full of bars with 24-hour alcohol co
nsumption and huge profits. The City also investigated adding gambling to their plans. We suspect they don’t want our rug store here because our kind of business isn’t as profitable. They only desired our land.
City officials now say they don’t need our land. Yet they say we’re holding up Glendale 180 when, in truth, they’re holding up progress! Furthermore, it’s not just our family that’s at odds with the City, although we’re slammed in the media most. Glendale has similar issues with the Staybridge Hotel, the property adjoining ours.
These are just examples of the allegations and defamatory remarks tossed around in this publication, but to their credit, they finally invited us to tell our side. We welcome this opportunity.
We also invite anyone to visit our store and talk about these issues. You’ll be warmly welcomed regardless of your views. We have many docum
ents available that support the facts and we’re open seven days a week to discuss the truth. We want everyone to read and verify the facts themselves.
In March, Glendale’s Chamber of Commerce voted to “repudiate and denounce” us claiming we recruited hate groups to support our plan. That is false. We’ve never hired any groups to support us. We don’t employ private investigators. We’ve never proposed an ugly skyscraper as the Chronicle claims. The mayor and his wife (primary owner of Shotgun Willie’s and The Smoking Gun) along with the Chronicle’s publisher, and its executive editor sit on the Chamber board. At least three of them voted for this resolution that wasn’t based on facts.
Don’t you wonder why the Chronicle and the City are so passionate and persistent in slamming us each month? We suggest following the money. Glendale’s Downtown Development Authority plans to raise $200M in bonds and scrape a popular public park so a private developer can build more bars. Who will pay this $200,000,000 back? How long must we pay? Who reaps the benefits?
by Mark Smiley | Apr 25, 2016 | Feature Story Bottom Left
by Greg Hollenback
Thanks goes out to the GCCC for allowing me to use my column this month to talk about a cause that is very important to me. Wasted food has become rampant, even in the communities we live in. Here’s a factoid, more than one-third of the food produced for consumption in the U.S. won’t be eaten. Considering the food thrown out by supermarkets, restaurants, schools, hospitals, at home and elsewhere, the food waste toll comes to 40 percent of the food supply. In fact, 18 percent of landfill and that is staggering.
The good news is that people are becoming more aware of this situation and are doing something about it. Through my radio shows the Modern Eater and the Modern Drinker that air live every Saturday at 6 p.m. on 630 KHOW I had the privilege to meet Arlan Preblud who heads up the local non-profit We Don’t Waste.
We Don’t Waste currently serves more than 120 of Denver’s community-based, non-profit agencies. The food sourced by We Don’t Waste augments the food programs of the non-profits it serves, allowing these organizations to reduce their food budgets while still serving wholesome, nutritional meals. Since inception, We Don’t Waste has distributed over 14 million servings of food to Denver’s underserved populations.
After interviewing Arlan on my show I knew I wanted to do my part to help create awareness for the ridiculous amount of food we waste. It breaks my heart to think that there are many hard working families right here in our community who may not be starving, but they just don’t know where their next meal is coming from, and that’s unacceptable in this day and age.
Here’s where creating awareness for this wasted food epidemic becomes fun. I dreamed up this idea of gathering up some of Denver’s top chefs who will take wasted food that was destined for a landfill and recovering it through We Don’t Waste and turning it into gourmet dishes for you to enjoy! I’ve turned this innovative idea into an event called Dumpster Dinner.
Check this out! On May 21 at the Studios at Overland Crossing Dumpster Dinner and Dumpster Dance will go off, and you can attend. You’re not going to believe this lineup. From 5-7 p.m. the VIP portion of the evening will include a very intimate Get Spoiled experience with participating local chefs representing their restaurants (listed below). Only 100 VIP tickets will be sold. With your VIP ticket you will enjoy offerings from these amazing chefs that will be paired with the finest local Colorado craft beer, spirits and wine (listed below). Your VIP ticket includes the admission into the Dumpster Dance that follows the dinner.
From 6:30-10 p.m. Dumpster Dance will step off (only 400 tickets are available if you just want to attend the dance). The dance part of the evening is awesome if I must say so myself. You will be treated to comfortable lounge seating, complemented with a shabby chic décor along with a lineup of the best entertainment that Denver has to offer. Enjoy the soulful dulcet tones of the national performer Rob Drabkin who is headlining the Dumpster Dance! The breakout Denver band AMZY will kick things off and they will be sure to get you up and dancing. Don’t worry about being hungry or thirsty, continue to enjoy the best Colorado craft beer, spirits and wine along with a buffet of delicious food prepared by the chefs, then grab some fresh local meat off the smokers and grills. The entertainment doesn’t stop while you soak in the visual stimulation of aerial bartenders, contortionist, fire performances and more! Don’t miss out on this amazing event benefiting a much needed organization in “We Don’t Waste!” For more information and tickets you can go to dumpsterdin ner.com. If you’re just interested in going to the dance go to dumpsterdance.com. Don’t miss out, I’ll see you there!
Your pal, Sheik!
Here is a list of the amazing Denver restaurants and chefs and the Colorado craft beer, wine and spirit purveyors.
Restaurants And Chefs
- Chef Daniel Asher – Root Down + Linger
- Chef Jesper Jonsson – Auguste Escoffier
- Chef Nikki Olst – Epicurean Group
- Chef Kevin Savoy – Carbon Beverage Cafe & Habit Doughnuts
- Chef Preston Phillips – Grind Kitchen
- Chef Taylor Creedon – Tap 14
- Chef John Depierrio – Mijo
- Chef David Lewis – Brown Palace
Libations
- Laws Whiskey House
- Declaration Brewing
- Ratio Brewing
- Wibby’s Brewing
- Bear Creek Distillery
- Infinite Monkey Theorem wine
- Water’s Edge Winery
(Only for the VIP dinner)
Meat Purveyors
- Tender Belly
- Prosper Farms beef
by Mark Smiley | Mar 25, 2016 | Feature Story Bottom Left
I get a lot of mail asking me to do a follow up article on Internet dating, specifically Match.com. A few years back I wrote “The Dos and Don’ts of Dating on Match .com,” right here in my column in the GCCC that got a lot of attention. That article is so popular, when you Google the title it pops up on the first page of the search results. Check it out if you have the time.
A lot has changed (format wise) on good old Match.com since I was a member years ago, except surprisingly a lot of the faces remain the same. I’m not entirely sure if that’s because match.com doesn’t delete expired membership profiles or if there are slew of lifetime daters on there. I’d guess it’s a mixture of both. Regardless there is a plethora of singles ready to mingle — maybe too many. I say too many because I can see how the abundant amount of daters on Match.com could be overwhelming and consuming for those who are looking for an immediate connection.
Ladies, I have no idea how to navigate match.com as a woman so I guess this article is for the guys. Although I know my female readers are nosey as hell, a curious bunch who will want to read this anyway. Guys, the following are just a few thoughts that I have on what I’ve found to be effective while I’m clicking through the vast sea of love starved Internet daters. Remember the same dating rules apply on the Internet as they do in real life. If you think you’re going to attract a different “type” of woman just because you’re on the Internet, you’re not. Water finds its own level, and so do men and women.
- Don’t expect a message back from every woman you contact. In fact if they’re not interested in you they will just plain ignore you. Match.com has this nifty little feature that allows you to know if a lady has read the message you sent them. DO NOT email a woman more than twice if she has read your correspondence and never replied. She’s not interested in you! Move on to greener pastures where you’re not spinning your wheels.
- Ride the cocky/confident line the best you can. The simple sweet, I’m a nice guy approach goes nowhere. I can imagine there are a lot of guys on Match who are just trying to find the flavor of the day so it’s very important to try and ride the middle, or “cockident.”
- Don’t put too much time in reading profiles. Here’s why, you look at a woman profile and you’re getting into it. You’re looking at all of her pictures, you’re reading everything she wrote about herself word for word, you’re really putting some effort into getting to know her first so you can contact her with something witty pertaining to her. Sweet! You found a gal you’re into because of her profile, you’re even imagining a couple of dates with her in your head, and you’re into her, email her! She doesn’t even respond. Instead look at basic things in her profile like pics, age, education, whatever is important to you on a basic level then shoot a quick email to her. If she responds then read her profile more in depth. There are too many women on Match to invest your time until she expresses interest in you.
- So what do you say to a woman in opening? I have found it effective to comment on one of her profile pictures. Don’t comment on her necessarily, comment on something she’s doing or something else that’s interesting in the picture. Don’t you dare hint sexual innuendo right out of the gate. That’s sure disaster. Comment on her dog, where the picture was taken, you get the idea.
- Always end your correspondence with a question. It is easy to lose someone even if you’ve been talking to her back and forth a few times. Remember women get slammed with tons of guys trying to get at them. Their email is abundant. You need to make sure she feels a need to immediately react to your email when she reads it. That’s why having a question in your email is important. She is more likely to follow up with an answer to your question rather than come up with a retort to a statement you make to her. Here’s an example: “I had the best dinner last night at the most amazing restaurant in Denver. They had the best food, amazing drinks and they gave you a foot rub while you ate.” She might read that and want to respond but in her mind there in no urgency… She can read more email and circle back later, she might wait to come up with something witty and respond later, she might have even decided she was done talking to you. But you’ll never know because you didn’t ask her a question. Now she is talking to 10 other guys and forgot all about you just because you didn’t end your email with, “have you ever gotten a foot rub at a restaurant?”
I could go on forever here but my words are limited to under a thousand. I’d be happy to take any specific questions or feedback if you want to email me at sheikofcherrycreek@gmail.com. Enjoy the beginning of spring and get ready for a killer event I’m throwing on May 21. Stand by for more info!
Your pal, Sheik!
by Mark Smiley | Feb 29, 2016 | Feature Story Bottom Left
Here I am, 43-years-old, never been married and I don’t have any kids. When I was 30 that bachelor status was cool, in fact, it was a positive selling point when it came to my bachelor résumé. Now fast forward 13 years. That very same status that I wore as a badge of honor has become “there must be something wrong with this guy.” “He must have commitment problems.” “His window to have kids has closed.” “Greg is going to be a lifelong bachelor.”
How did my superior bachelor status not change, yet go from being cool to creepy? How did my not having baggage turn into BEING my baggage?
Time did it, that’s how. The only thing that changed is I am older now. That’s all, my age has changed. Just like the movie Back to the Future, what kind of advice would the 43-year-old Greg give to the 30-year-old Greg if I could fire up the Flux Capacitor in the ol’ DeLorean and travel back in time?
The answer to that question is… A lot! Here are the top words of wisdom I would offer to my younger self.
- Don’t be Captain Save-a-ho! For some reason I have spent most of my adult life trying to heal wounded women. If there was one time killer that took up a huge chunk of my “viable” years it would probably be choosing to engage with ladies that were in a different period in their life than I.
- Know when to call it good! Uncle, I give up. I wish I would have said that more. I wish I had so much of the time I wasted trying to make bad good. It’s a common mistake. I think people naturally don’t want to just throw something away they have put effort into. In retrospect, I think you will agree it takes much more effort to keep a relationship on life support alive than it is to cultivate a new one.
- Be more selfish! Don’t take this the wrong way. I’m not saying not to be kind to people and be generous, quite the contrary. I am saying stay true to your basic needs, that make you happy and who you are, and don’t let anyone EVER chisel away at that, especially in the name of “love.” True love would always want the best for you and encourage you to find happiness within yourself and allow you to feed the hunger and that which you crave.
- Go get what you want! So often I have been my worst enemy and have sabotaged myself romantically. I know the “type” of woman that would be great for me and I know what I’m attracted to. So why wouldn’t I focus and go get that woman? Probably because when I think about what a great woman that would be I start to doubt that she would want a guy like me. Self-doubt can be a huge stunt to achievement and growth.
- Don’t be afraid to be alone! The pros and cons to being alone. The pros: you are light on your feet, you can be open to a good situation if it presents itself, you don’t have to answer to anyone, and you can date multiple people and see what works best for you. The cons: you’re alone.
- Trust your gut! I’m telling you, gut feelings are usually spot on. If you are in a situation that just doesn’t seem or feel right … it probably isn’t. Don’t waste time on people that have no room in your future.
- Know when you’ve reached Mecca! Grass isn’t always greener on the other side. When you find someone that makes you happy and who promotes your growth in a positive way hold on to them. Life isn’t about giving someone your time; it’s about finding someone you enjoy spending your time with.
It’s crazy how time can work for and against you. Trust me when I tell you it’s better to have time on your side. I know I’m not 100-years-old yet but my window for what I want is narrowing and I never thought it would. I am full on single right now so it should be interesting what the next few years have in store for me. I am going to do everything in my power to be the best person I can be to hopefully attract the kind of woman I desire. The time to date smartly is now, for all of us. Keep it real out there!
Your pal, the Sheik
by Mark Smiley | Jan 29, 2016 | Feature Story Bottom Left
“You can check out any time you like, but you can never leave.” With the passing of rock legend Glenn Frey I couldn’t help but revisit the Eagles playlist on my podcast. The lyric I opened my article with always rings in my head for various reasons but mostly it’s a lyric I interpret as someone who checks out in their mind because they are stuck in a situation.
Related to dating and relationships I submit there are many of you out there who feel checked out in your relationship and feel like there is no way out. I know ultimately it is up to us as individuals to make decisions that are best for our own personal well-being and mental and physical health but we all know that’s not easy. It’s especially not easy when emotion and guilt are woven in to your decision making process. I rarely see an emotion based decision work out. Again, easier said than done, we are human after all.
But who wants to be “checked out” in life and feel like they can “never leave?” Not me! Let’s talk for a minute about what makes a person stuck in a relationship…
The following are signs that you may be checked out and stuck in a bad relationshit.
- You’re finding you care less and less about things that were very important to you and now you give up fighting for them because no matter how much you express yourself they just don’t care about what you find important.
- You find yourself angry at that person all the time even when there isn’t an immediate issue at hand. This comes from built up animosity that has not been addressed which, in turn, leaves you feeling empty, bitter and angry.
- You begin to start plotting exit strategies in your mind that you never follow through with because of some kind of guilt attachment you have with the other person, i.e., they helped you with something important at one point and it’s held over your head.
- You have positioned yourself to rely on your current partner and without them your lifestyle or creature comforts would be disrupted.
- You now avoid any kind of intimate contact with your partner because it seems forced and not genuine.
- You begin sabotaging your future with that person unconsciously by continually complaining to your friends and family about how miserable you are. Once you do this, of course your friends and family will side with you making it impossible for you and your partner to build a healthy future. Unless, of course, you don’t care about having friends and family in your life.
- Just like the lyrics say, you checked out and you find yourself not communicating even if you want or need to.
All of these signs are very dangerous. If you are experiencing any or all of the symptoms of a diminishing and dysfunctional relationship you need to push the pause button. You need to pause and ask yourself if you are living in a manner that is true to you. True to your expectations, values, goals and communication level needs to make you a growing, thriving and healthy person. Remember, disease causes disease.
It is very easy to get caught up moving in the wrong direction in life and if there is anything to take away from the Eagles great Glenn Frey, it’s this… Live your life to the fullest, be kind to people, do what you love and be true to what you want because being around tomorrow is no guarantee. Make today your day and lead with your heart, but follow with your fury.
Here’s to happiness and cutting the cancer out of your life once you identify it. Good luck!
Your pal, Sheik
by Mark Smiley | Dec 17, 2015 | Feature Story Bottom Left
What is it with people these days? Have people lost their collective minds? Is anyone else out there experiencing an anything goes, holier than thou attitude from the people you’re dating?
I’m seeing a selfish trend from single people. Dating is a very important time that deserves time, consideration, foresight and patience. Dating isn’t an easy endeavor, but why date if you’re going to do it half-heartedly? Why waste your time or another person’s time if you’re just going to play games or be reckless with their lives?
Here are some things I’m noticing from this new culture of daters who are seemingly dating to just pass the time. I really can’t believe the gall that some people have so I am going to call them out and declare “Gall Wars!”
- Selfishness. I’m so tired of people being selfish so easily. I mean come on, you’re dating. You should be putting your best foot forward not displaying what a baby you can be if you don’t get your way. Being a selfish, self-centered person is such a turn off and it is a horrible quality to have as a human.
- Rude, Rude, Rude, Rude, Rude. Here is another one, just plain rude. Have people forgotten how to bite their lip or let something that irks them roll off their back? Be nice, smile. People don’t have to put up with your rudeness. In fact guys, if you want to find a quick way to get kicked to the curb go ahead and be a rude person. Ladies can get away with being rude a bit more than a guy depending on how hot she is, but in the long run, rudeness makes everyone ugly to the core.
- Entitlement. You are dating, you’re not entitled to anything yet! Put some work into making a relationship before you think you deserve something. You’re basically a stranger to the person you’re dating. Try earning a position into someone’s life instead of just acting entitled to access into someone’s life just because you’re dating them.
- Sensitivity. What is it with all of these thin-skinned people out there in the dating pool? There are more people out there who have no idea how to problem solve or have the ability to not let the smallest little obstacle turn into the most drama ever. Pull up your britches people and quit being so sensitive. Being an even-headed person is on the other hand very attractive.
- Inconsiderate. This one kills me. Again, you’re dating! Put your best foot forward. Be considerate of other people’s time. Showing up late to a date chronically shows just how little you care about someone else’s time. You should constantly be figuring out how to be aware and considerate to whomever you’re dating. Don’t be the double standard person who holds everyone else up to a standard that you can’t even manage yourself.
- Respect. Come on people let’s have some basic respect for each other. Have some boundaries and respect the person you’re dating. If they’re not worthy of your respect you should really just move on and find someone who does.
Let’s tighten things up in 2016. We need to be better to each other. We need to reintroduce standards of how we treat each other. We live in such a fast-paced impersonal world but that gives us no excuse for treating each other so poorly. Let’s make this new year one worth living!
Your pal, Sheik
