by Mark Smiley | Dec 17, 2018 | Glendale City News
by John Arthur
Writer for and on behalf of the City of Glendale
The game is on. Not that game, the RUGBY game. You sidle up
to the bar or open the fridge. The choices seem almost endless, but there’s
only one thing that will do: you want the beer that’s almost synonymous with
the game. The two-and-a-half century old brewery that not only helps define the
international sport of rugby, but international itself. Guinness was
established long before rugby, and has been a staple for beer drinkers ever
since. As the game has enjoyed its rise to global status, becoming the second
most watched sport on the planet, Guinness has been alongside, quietly but
profoundly improving the experience for fans new and old, and providing the
heft of additional history to the enjoyment of beholding a sport that marries
inclusivity and athleticism.
You pop the cap. The bartender pulls the tap. Dark, cold
Guinness flows. The head is rich and creamy; making its way back up from the
bottom of the glass in a swirl that is unique to the world’s most famous Irish
Stout, and one of the best-known brands on the planet. Founded by Arthur
Guinness in Dublin in 1759, it’s not only one of the most recognizable
beverages in the world, but among the most successful beer brands ever. Brewed
with barley roasted in house, Guinness is dark- ruby red under the light — and
has a distinctive, unforgettable flavor.
Like the beer, the history of the Glendale Raptors is also
unique, particularly as one of the most successful rugby endeavors ever in the
United States. Though considerably shorter than that of the newly signed
sponsor, Glendale has been the home of American rugby for more than 10 years,
attracting international talent, coaches, the attention of a dedicated fan
base, and big-name partners like Guinness. Over more than a decade, Glendale
has established itself as the epicenter of rugby in the United States, the last
genuinely untapped market for the sport in the world. As the team has grown its
fan base, its talent pool, and its future, it has relied on sponsor partners to
help, and has delivered an impressive return on investment for those that have
seen the potential of rugby.
Guinness parent company Diageo is a global leader in
beverage alcohol with an outstanding collection of brands including Johnnie
Walker, Crown Royal, Bulleit and Buchanan’s whiskies, Smirnoff, Baileys, and,
of course, Guinness — to name just a few. Headquartered in London, and operating
in more than 180 countries, they’re a force in a thirsty world. The Glendale
Raptors are proud to announce a sponsor partnership with the beverage
juggernaut, and look to reinforce Guinness as the beer of choice for American
rugby fans. Pete Javorek, Diageo Distributor Manager for Colorado and Utah,
explains that the partnership is a no-brainer when seeking to properly
represent the company’s biggest beer brand: “With consumers seeking the quality
and heritage of beers like Guinness and rugby on the rise, it was a natural fit
for us. We’re excited to be working together with the Glendale Raptors,” he
said.
Javorek works with 18 distributors in Colorado and Utah,
managing beer forecasting, planning, and distribution — ensuring proper brand representation in the
market. Aligning with the Glendale Raptors promises that representation and
recognition will only grow as the 2019 Major League Rugby season gets underway
in the new year. In addition to having other well-known Irish beers like Harp
and Smithwick’s in its portfolio, Diageo recently completed construction of a
new home for Guinness in America specifically for the United States market. The
Maryland facility will focus on new innovation beers, as well as the production
of Guinness Blonde, a relatively recent offering that, unlike the traditional
stout, is golden in color, and made with American ingredients and by American
brewers. Javorek notes that Diageo and Guinness are happy to be part of the
growth of rugby in the U.S.: “It’s a natural fit for us, and we want to use the
Raptors image and draw to expand to more professional teams in the league.
Rugby and Guinness have been around together for a long time, and it’s
something we want to continue doing. We think the sport is on the rise in the
U.S., rugby is a big draw, and we want to grow both brands together.” The
Raptors understand that draw, and look forward to a long and fruitful
relationship with the world’s most famous stout.
Photo by Seth McConnell
Glendale Raptor Prop Luke White takes the ball into contact
against the Utah Warriors in Major League Rugby. Glendale has been the home of
American rugby for more than 10 years, attracting international talent,
coaches, the attention of a dedicated fan base, and big-name partners like
Guinness.
Courtesy of Guinness
Founded by Arthur Guinness in Dublin in 1759, Guinness is
not only one of the most recognizable beverages in the world, but among the
most successful beer brands ever.
by Mark Smiley | Dec 17, 2018 | Editorials
It is said that politicians are attracted to money like
flies to a dung heap. In Denver no one loves the smell of money more than City
Council President Albus Brooks, a close ally of ethically challenged Mayor
Michael Hancock. He is expected to succeed Hancock in four years assuming
Hancock prevails in his quest for a third term this spring.
Brooks has the full confidence and support of the
high-density developers that own and control Mayor Hancock. Brooks’
subservience to developers has gotten him in trouble at times with some of his
constituents in District 9. Developers have begun to gentrify his district with
high-density developments driving some African American families out of Denver
where they have lived for generations. His tone deafness over the Ink! Coffee
shop controversy highlighted how out of touch he was with the many issues
important to the residents of his District. Brooks has only exasperated his
problems by his remarks on Colorado Public Radio where he appeared not to grasp
the concept that “involuntary displacement” was very much of a concern to
homeowners in Five Points, Elyria-Swansea and other neighborhoods in his
District.
Brooks infamously declared on the radio: “Displacement is
not in the home ownership category. It’s in the rental category and someone
cannot afford what their landowner is jacking up the price with, right? And so,
that is something that we are working very hard on.”
These comments helped Candi CdeBaca decide to run against
him this spring in the city election. She has stated: “He didn’t understand the
nuances of involuntary displacement. That is directly connected to his power
and his purview. He should know all of the ins and outs of it.”
What Brooks does understand is money or more specifically
how as a politician he gets his hands on as much of it as possible. While high
density developers strongly support him as he does their bidding, he is not
particularly liked by them on a personal basis. His cryptic nickname among some
developers and lobbyists is “The Buddha.” It is not that he has any interest in
that Eastern religion but rather the fact that many statues of the Buddha have
him sitting with his left palm pointing upward. According to his critics Brooks
shakes your hand with his right hand while his left palm points upward to be
greased.
This leads to his latest money-making scheme — heroin
injection sites. There is big money to be had by politicians in drugs these
days. On the Republican side Colorado Senator Cory Gardner and former Speaker
of the U.S. House John Boehner have become ardent advocates for the
legalization of marijuana across the country notwithstanding spending most of
their political careers adamantly opposed the same. What changed? Once pot was
legalized in states like Colorado and California there arrived a river of money
for politicians and lobbyists who would help overcome federal constraints on
the drug.
Brooks’ nose for money has led him to an even more lucrative
drug field — heroin. Mexican drug cartels are facing a crisis. With
legalization of marijuana in various states no one needs the cartels to grow
marijuana in Mexico and ship it across the border. Moreover, cocaine is no
longer the drug of the young and the hip and usage is dramatically down. What
is up is opioid addiction and in particular heroin addiction. What is holding
back this growth market is the terrible stigma attached to heroin use.
That is where politicians like Brooks can help. He has
gotten the Denver City Council to approve so called “safe injection sites.”
Heroin users are provided free needles, syringes, septic pads and a private
place to shoot up. Medical attendants will be there to administer Naloxone in
case of an overdose. Of course, once you have one site you will need many more
as addicts driving to and from a single injection site to get their multiple
daily fixes is generally not to be encouraged.
If you want more of something you subsidize it, but that is
not the key service Brooks is providing to the cartels. What the cartels need
to grow their heroin businesses is for the stigma of heroin use to disappear.
What better way than state and municipal sanctioned and supported “safe”
injection sites to say to today’s youth that the hellish existence of a heroin
addict is just one of many different but acceptable lifestyle choices. In
places like Vancouver, Canada where there are safe injection sites, the use of
heroin has skyrocketed and while there are no reported deaths at the sites
there plenty nearby.
The Buddha, of course, is just trying to be “compassionate”
to heroin users and the cartels who support and nurture them. Brooks will get
rich in the process. If there is any justice in this world, kids and their
families who become addicted to heroin because of the actions of Councilman
Albus Brooks will someday go visit him in what grand mansion he will be
ensconced in to personally thank him for the destruction and damage he has wrought to them.
Albus Brooks
by Mark Smiley | Nov 19, 2018 | General Featured
Denver Landmark Holds Retirement Sale
Holiday shoppers will find bargains galore at Le Grue’s flower and Christmas store. LeGrue’s has been a must see decorating destination for 40 years at 476 South Broadway in Denver. The expansive store has one of the largest galleries of artificial Christmas trees in the area and has every style of holiday lights and decorations you could imagine.
But the owners are retiring after receiving an offer to purchase the building that was too good to pass up. That’s resulting in a new adventure for them and great deals for shoppers.
You will be able to find high quality artificial Christmas trees and decorations as well as silk flowers and plants. Le Grue’s also offers antiques and unique gifts. And everything in the store is for sale at huge discounts, as much as 50% off or more. “Everything must go,” the owners explain. They expect it will go fast and suggest people stop by and check it out sooner rather than later.
LeGrue’s owners say their customers and business neighbors have become their friends over the years and they say a special “Thank You” for all the support and great memories. “Le Grue’s has been an amazing journey,” they say. “And we are looking forward to new possibilities, adventures and beginnings.”
Le Grue’s is centrally located at 476 S. Broadway in Denver. The retirement sale is underway and will run through the beginning of the New Year.
Denver Landmark Closing: Le Grue’s, a shopper’s destination for 40 years on South Broadway, is closing its doors and holding a retirement sale.
by Mark Smiley | Nov 19, 2018 | Travel
by Glen Richardson
Holidays Aglow: The holidays are about candy canes and lights all aglow plus the hearts we touch with the gifts we give and the care we show.
Festive Blast: Annual Tuba Christmas is a heartwarming way to blast the Bah-Humbugs away during the holidays. Many of the region’s tuba players are at the DCPA complex Dec. 16, 12:30 p.m.
Winter Warmth: One way to have fun and enjoy shopping is at holiday markets. Cherry Creek’s Winter Fest on Fillmore features outdoor fire pits and hot chocolate Dec. 8.
Holidays! Holidays! Holidays who can’t wait for them? Yes, the holidays are here and what an exciting time of the year for kids and adults alike. The holidays are about enjoying time with family and friends. Many of us decorate our homes and places of work to cherish the season with Christmas trees, Hanukkah lights, garland and candles.
Dancing With Joy: Entertainment fills the season with joy and Granny Dances To A Holiday Drum is one of the season’s most popular. This year’s dancing is Dec. 1-6.
Here’s our holiday guide of heartwarming ways to chase the Bah-Humbugs away and enjoy shopping, having fun and celebrating this most wonderful time of the year:
Holiday Events
White Christmas Ball: Dance to big band music at this 1940s event among vintage vehicles, sleighs and Christmas trees in the Hyatt Convention Center, Dec. 1.
Granny Dances To A Holiday Drum: A beautiful display of dance, live music and storytelling at Cleo Parker Robinson Dance, Dec. 1-16.
Irving Berlin’s White Christmas: A timeless holiday tale filled with song, dance, snow and holiday cheer in the Buell Theatre, Dec. 5-15.
A Classical Christmas: The Colorado Symphony performs arrangements by Handel, Mozart, Holst, Barber and Berlioz at Boettcher Concert Hall, Dec. 7-8.
Great Russian Nutcracker: Moscow Ballet brings performers, hand-painted sets, snow maidens and nesting dolls to the Paramount Theatre, Dec. 7-8.
Ten Tenors: Australia’s tenors join the Symphony for operatic versions of White Christmas, Joy to the World and Feliz Navidad in Boettcher Hall, Dec. 9.
Cirque Stars: Holiday cirque stars fill the Paramount Theatre with magic, circus acrobatics and music Dec. 16.
A Colorado Christmas: Warm sounds like Sleigh Ride, Dance of the Sugar Plum Fairy and The Nutcracker fill Boettcher Hall with festive tunes, Dec. 14-16.
A Legendary Christmas: Crooner John Legend sings and plays songs from his newly released holiday album at the Bellco Theatre, Dec. 15.
The Nutcracker: Take the family to Ballet Ariel’s imaginative, beautiful version of toy soldiers and Sugar Plum fairies at the Lakewood Cultural Center Dec. 15-27.
Tuba Christmas: Tap you
Nutcracker Soars: The Valley’s favorite holiday tradition, Colorado Ballet’s The Nutcracker has performances at the Ellie Caulkins Opera House, Nov. 24-Dec. 24.
r toes to your favorite holiday tunes played by many of the region’s tuba players at the Denver Performing Arts Complex, Dec. 16.
Celtic Woman Christmas Tour: Multi-platinum all female Irish musical group is accompanied by the Colorado Symphony at Boettcher, Dec. 17.
Brian Setzer Orchestra: The 19-piece Grammy winning orchestra brings its 15th Anniversary Christmas Rock Tour to the Paramount Theatre, Dec. 17.
Holiday Brass: The Colorado Symphony Brass plays carols, classical favorites, jazz transcriptions and movie holiday music at Boettcher, Dec. 19.
Appalachian Christmas: The Mark O’Connor Band plays country, pop, bluegrass and chamber music at the Paramount Theatre, Dec. 20.
Too Hot To Handel: Guest soloists Cynthia Renee Saffron & Lawrence Clayton join the Symphony Chorus for R&B-infused concert at Boettcher, Dec. 21-22.
A Magical Cirque Christmas: Holiday cirque features magic, circus acrobatics, comedy, live music and caroling at the Paramount Theatre, Dec. 26.
Songs For The Season: New York singer-songwriter Ingrid Michaelson croons songs from her new holiday album accompanied by the Symphony at Boettcher, Dec. 30.
A Night In Vienna: The Colorado Symphony plays a selection of polkas, waltzes and marches to waltz you into the New Year at Boettcher, Dec. 31.
Holiday Markets
Holiday Flea: Weekends of shopping on the plaza at Denver Union Station, Dec. 2, 7-9 & 14-16. Regional artists and craft people sell clothing, jewelry, art & foodstuffs.
Improper City Makers Market: An art-focused pop-up shop with live music, food trucks at 3201 Walnut St., Dec. 7.
Winter Fest On Fillmore: Entertainment, face painting around outdoor fire pits with hot chocolate and refreshments for Cherry Creek North shoppers, Dec. 8.
South Gaylord Holiday Fest: Shop historic street while listening to the Original Dickens Carolers and donate to the Santa Claus Shop, noon-4 p.m. Dec. 8.
Jackalope Indie Artisan Fair: Shop for fashions, accessories, home décor, art and food from 150 artisans in the McNichols Bldg., Dec. 8-9.
Shopping Districts
Cherry Creek Shopping Center: Shop 160 stores including Nordstrom, Neiman Marcus, Macy’s, plus live music and holiday entertainment.
Waltzing Into New Year: The Colorado Symphony plays polkas, waltzes and marches to waltz us into the New Year at Boettcher, Dec. 31.
Cherry Creek North: Home to 16 blocks of fashion stores like Andrisen Morton, Hermes, Lawrence Covell, Loro Piana and St. John.
Glendale: Premier shopping destination with a Super Target, World Market, Bed Bath & Beyond, Home Depot, Staples, The Bookies and dozens of unique local shops.
Larimer Square: Shop one-of-a-kind stores in Victorian buildings along street with distinctive fashion and specialty boutiques in city’s oldest district.
Old South Gaylord: Shop the second oldest shopping district in Denver featuring quaint shops, fine art, fashion and unique gifts.
Downtown Denver: Central Denver’s best holiday shopping is at the Denver Pavilions and along the 16th Street Mall.
Independent Shopping
Adornments: Clothing, jewelry and accessories in a mix of art, fashion and luxurious fabrics in this true Cherry Creek boutique on 3rd Ave.
Bloom By Anuschka: Upscale florist and home furnishings store at 3rd and University offering chic floral arrangements, furniture & accessories.
Harriet’s: Contemporary Cherry Creek woman’s boutique selling casual elegance in women’s fashions including sweaters, scarves and handbags.
Saks Galleries: Family owned in Cherry Creek for over 50 years specializing in 19th to 21st century American & European oils, watercolors and bronzes.
Mariel: Upscale Cherry Creek boutique selling women’s clothing & accessories, including evening wear, shoes, hat and bridal gowns.
Flower Power: Exquisite independently owned flower boutique on E. Virginia Ave. creating everyday arrangements plus wedding, special event florals.
Arts at Denver: Longtime Old South Gaylord gallery showcasing original oil paintings by more than 30 Colorado artists plus designer jewelry.
Two Sole Sisters: High-end South Gaylord store selling seasonal handmade women’s shoes, boots, sandals and accessories.
Barbara & Company: Fashionable South Gaylord women’s clothing boutique selling designs from Europe, New York and Los Angeles.
Robert Anderson Gallery: Exceptional galley on E. Colfax offering unique photography, photomontages plus glass sculpture and paintings for the holidays.
LeGrue’s: Landmark Christmas and flower shop on S. Broadway is holding its retirement sale offering savings up to 60% off before closing.
Meininger Art Supply: Family owned Broadway candy store for artists selling paints, paint brushes, pens, paper, markers, color pencils and other art supplies.
Paradise Baggage Co: State’s largest luggage store on S. Broadway featuring a variety of luggage and travel accessories, plus luggage repair services.
The Bookies: Independently owned bookstore off Colorado Blvd. in Glendale with over 100,000 titles plus large selection of toys, games, puzzles and gifts.
Dardano’s: Longstanding, family-owned store specializing in comfort footwear, accessories and shoe repair on S. Colorado Blvd.
Colorado Gold Mart: Glendale store on S. Colorado Blvd. buying and selling vintage watches, new & used jewelry plus buying and selling precious metals.
by Mark Smiley | Nov 19, 2018 | Glendale City News
by John Arthur
Writer for and on behalf of the City of Glendale
Infinity Park Event Center is no stranger to orchestrating talent and production during events, but is now conducting its own Glendale Throwdown Showdown Talent Show. (Photo by Seth McConnell)
The Infinity Park Event Center will host a talent showdown this December, celebrating a decade of elevated events and bringing three nights of exceptional entertainment to the Front Range. General Manager Bobbi Reed says that while the landmark anniversary is certainly significant for the venue, the Throwdown Showdown is less about the Event Center’s 10-year birthday and more about producing an in-house event that will not just showcase the venue itself, but also provide exposure to a broader audience: “We wanted to do an event here that we produced, since typically we’re acting solely as a venue. We wanted to build on the brand that we’ve cultivated in the last 10 years,” she said. “This gives us an opportunity to expose the Event Center to a different audience — maybe folks that haven’t been here for a non-profit fundraiser or a corporate meeting or even a rugby game. It gives us a chance to expand our exposure; and doing that through something that is entertaining and fun is good for us and the audience.”
Working with Imprint Events, a national event planning organization with offices in Colorado, Las Vegas, and Florida, Infinity Park’s Talent Showdown will take place December 10-13, capitalizing on the same competition model as that of the seemingly endless popularity of recent television programming like American Idol, The Voice, America’s Got Talent, and others. Imprint organizes events for hundreds of clients annually, and has connections to the high-end talent, recruiters, and promoters that will make the year-end event at Infinity Park a smash for audience members. Reed notes that recruiting call-outs began in early November, and are open to any number of disciplines, ranging from dance troupes to comedians, magicians to bands — among others.
The talent shows themselves will be held in Infinity Park Events Center’s 8,600 square foot International Ballroom, a space with accommodations for any number of performance types. In addition to elegant venue space, the ballroom includes state-of-the-art audio-visual capabilities, including unique 360-degree surround screens, LED lighting, and in-house audio production. With capacity for 1,200 guests, there is never a bad seat in the ballroom. Reed expects that the Talent Showdown will likely become an annual event, and that the multi-day organizational model is designed specifically to build excitement for a crowd that might not typically find themselves at Infinity Park: “It’s all about spreading the brand. We don’t typically produce events, we’re more like real estate for rent, so this is an opportunity for us to put something on that will reflect positively on Infinity Park, on Glendale. This is something that we want to do for many years,” she said. “This is a chance for people to come and do something fun. It gets lots of people in here to see something different. We’re expecting some top-notch performers: the entertainment won’t be just the competition, but the acts themselves.”
Competition will consist of nine unique preliminary acts on each of the opening nights, with audience members deciding finalists via a mobile app designed specifically for the event. Ticket sales launched in early November, and everyone interested can visit the Infinity Park Event Center website to purchase. Multi-night tickets are available for a special rate. What’s at stake for participating talent contestants is considerable. Exposure through the wide-ranging web and social media reach of Infinity Park is perhaps the largest draw, but the likely presence of recruiters and talent scouts will only further that chance at exposure. All contestants selected to compete on finals night will be awarded nominal prizes, and the top three performers will receive additional prizes, some including cash.
Guests have a lot to look forward to. In addition to 18 separate acts over the first two nights, an additional showdown for the finals, exposure to regional talent, and available food and drink at one of Colorado’s premier entertainment venues, first-time attendees will get to experience three evenings of fun at Infinity Park Event Center. For a closer look at what Infinity Park has to offer, for updates on the talent participating in December’s Throwdown Showdown, and to purchase your tickets for the event, visit http://infinityparkeventcenter.com.
Please send audition tapes, bios and photos to auditions@imprintgroup.com. Questions? Call 303-623-1492 for more information. Application deadline Wednesday, November 21.
by Mark Smiley | Nov 19, 2018 | Editorials
Jamie Giellis
The 2018 statewide elections in Colorado are over. While a blue wave may not have occurred nationwide it certainly did happen in the Centennial State. Republicans not only didn’t win the governorship it lost all statewide offices it held including Attorney General, Secretary of State and Treasurer by wide margins. In Denver all the sales tax hikes were approved as prognosticated in our August 2018 editorial. Statewide the voters shot down new taxes for education and roads although Denver voters likely would have approved both.
We Denverites love our taxes, perhaps reflecting the fact that Denver is home to a very significant number of federal, state and local employees. But we also demand value for our money which many feel we are not getting from our governing city government. Neighborhoods are being destroyed with inappropriate and endless high-density projects, parking downtown has become an arduous chore at times and our roads are increasingly jammed with no relief in sight.
It would appear that many citizens of Denver have had it with Michael Hancock who is viewed as a clueless puppet of high-density developers. The publicity of the mayor’s sexual harassment of police officer Leslie Branch Wise, and his use sub silencio of taxpayer money to pay her off, has been the last straw for many in the city.
Four years ago, not a single person qualified for the ballot to oppose Hancock’s re-election. The situation has dramatically changed today with at least three highly qualified candidates willing to take on his Honor. Last month we identified two of those individuals — Penfield Tate and Lisa Calderon. Since then another highly qualified candidate has entered the ring — Jamie Giellis.
Giellis, age 41, is the president of the River North Art District. She has b
Large scale apartment project on Speer Boulevard.
een identified by The Denver Post as an important force in the development of RiNo, South Pearl Street and the Golden Triangle in her role as founder of Centro which specializes in urban planning.
Urban planning is exactly what has been sadly lacking for the last eight years as can be seen by the virtual destruction of what was one of Denver’s most scenic roadways — Speer Boulevard. Massive condo and apartment buildings crowd the roadway with no setback and totally devoid of any open areas and trees.
As Giellis correctly noted: “A broad vision for Denver is missing and the current mayor has been responding to, and not necessarily planning for, all the issues that come along with quickly growing urban areas.”
As far as we are concerned the more qualified candidates for mayor the better. Under Denver’s Charter if no person reaches the 50% level in the first round of voting there is a runoff between the top two candidates.
It is not that Hancock will be easy to defeat. Those that control the mayor have been raising large sums of money for his re-election, from the high-density developers and other lowlifes that have been raping Denver for fun and profit for years. But the voters of Denver may, at long last, have become disenchanted with Harasser-in-Chief and all the money in the world will hopefully not save him.
