by Mark Smiley | Jan 29, 2018 | Travel
Have A Dog-Gone-Good Time At Chinese Bark In The Park Party
Bowwow The Night Away At Chinese New Year Gala
With Your Puppy Love, Pampered Pals At McNichols Feb. 9
One of the most internationally celebrated events of the year, the Cherry Creek Valley’s Chinese New Year Celebration hosted by the Nathan Yip Foundation has become one of the biggest and best in the nation. This year’s event commemorates the Year of the Dog — the 11th in the 12-year cycle of Chinese zodiac
Party Palace: The Cherry Creek Valley’s Chinese New Year Celebration is in the McNichols Bldg. on the northwest corner of Civic Center Park, Feb. 9, 6 p.m.
sign events — in the McNichols Bldg. on the northwest corner of Civic Center Park, Feb. 9, 6 p.m.
No bones about it, attendees will get caught up in the energy as they chase after their dreams in the Valley’s first and original Chinese party. Now in its 15th year, it is one of the biggest of its kind outside of China. Spread over three floors of the McNichols Party Palace, the multitude will have a “dog-gone-good time” enjoying food, interactive entertainment, plus an authentic Chinese Night Market.
All proceeds from the evening will benefit the Foundation’s funding of educational projects for the most vulnerable children in rural Colorado and China. Last year’s Chinese New Year Party raised more than $250,000. The Foundation is named for the son of Denver residents and founders Linda and Jimmy Yip. The Yips lost their only son Nathan in a 2002 car accident. For years the Yips, with a team of volunteers and friends, built schools and provided supplies to rural, forgotten areas in China. Now they are putting that same effort into rural Colorado communities.
Run With Big Dogs
Dog is man’s good friend who can understand the human’s spirit and obey its master, whether he is wealthy or not. The Chinese regard it as an auspicious animal. If a dog happens to come to a house, it symbolizes th
Chinese Characters: Attendees at Nathan Yip Foundation Chinese New Year Celebration will meet colorful characters at party Feb. 9. Now in its 15th year, it is one of the biggest events of its kind outside of China.
e coming of fortune. The invincible God Erlang in Chinese legend used a loyal wolfhound to help him capture monsters.
According to Lunar New Year pros, the Year of the Dog will be a good year for action and should offer new business opportunities and, furthermore, is conducive to festivals, especially fundraisers such as the Nathan Yip Foundation celebration.
Guests will run with the big dogs at this year’s canine carnival featuring world-class performers including lion dancers, a karaoke stage, silent disco, fortune teller, Chinese calligraphers and portrait artists. More: This year guests will also be blessed watching the “im’paws’ible” as dogs entertain. Acro Dogs — good doggies performing for this good year — are an added attraction. It’s the Year of the Dog after all, and you’ll discover dogs have talents ranging from Yoga and Irish dancing to painting and more.
Indoor Street Party
Tree Of Luck: According to Lunar New Year pros, the Year of the Dog will be a good year for action and should offer new business opportunities.
East Meets West: The biggest and most colorful celebration in the East is now one of Denver’s biggest party events. The Nathan Yip Foundation celebration provides funding for educational projects for the most vulnerable children in Colorado and China.
Dog-Day Night: This year’s event commemorates the Year of the Dog, the 11th in the 12-year cycle of Chinese zodiac sign events.
Night Market: Spread over three floors, attendees will have a “dog-gone-good time” enjoying food, interactive entertainment, plus an authentic Chinese Night Market.
This year’s colorful celebration is getting an exciting twist of the dog’s tail: The festive, fun-filled Chinese-themed Night Market has been expanded. It’s a new-fangled version of a street party complete with troupes of acrobats, Chinese lion dancers, and of course tasty themed food stations. It features fabulous foods, thrilling lion dances, and shock-red lanterns.
In addition to themed food stations and full open bars, the Indoor Night Market offers fun wares for sale, just like travelers see throughout Asia.
The delicious and diverse tasting stations will feature food prepared by Denver’s Catering by Design. The Seattle Fish Company is sponsoring the marketplace. The company’s CEO James Iain went to school with Nathan Yip.
Helping At Home
Because the annual event celebrates Chinese New Year, many people think all of the Foundation’s work is still in China. However, as the world has changed, so has the focus of Foundation’s effort.
In the metro area the Foundation continues supporting such groups as the George Washington High School’s Mentoring Program, Patriot Pairs. The Foundation contributes all of the expensive graphing calculators for the all mentees plus finds the most overlooked areas to help. At East High School, Nate’s Pass Program supplements bus passes for students that need transportation to school.
“But the real forgotten areas of Colorado are the rural areas,” according to Board Member Denise Gliwa. There are not many organizations traveling to the far corners of our state and learning and recognizing the educational needs of these students and school districts, she notes. With a “hands on” approach, Jimmy and Linda Yip travel to these areas and really find out their educational needs.
Country School Upgraded
Some of the work the Foundation did during the past year included a Technology Grant to Eads High School to upgrade its science classes so students can actually do experiments. The ventilation in the classroom was so bad students could not do the necessary work.
At San Luis Valley’s Center Consolidated School District the Foundation provided funding for teacher pay so that every teacher could do family Home Visits in the small agricultural community.
The Foundation also urbanized a professional development partnership between the schools in Montezuma-Cortez with the STEM School in Highlands Ranch. The STEM teachers visited Montezuma-Cortez and the MC teachers and admin visited STEM to learn and share ideas.
Providing Computers
A team of volunteers last year traveled to the San Luis Valley and dropped off 40 laptop computers to the San Luis Valley Board of Cooperative Education Services (BOCES). The computers were distributed to students in the area who do not have a computer at home.
Following that, the team delivered another 40 laptop computers to the Ute Mountain Ute Reservation, for the same purposes.
An additional 40 computers were distributed to Colorado’s Eastern Plains plus 18 to Eads. This was done in cooperation with Rose Keating and her organization Tech For All. The decision to provide the computers was made because students without computers at home are at a huge disadvantage when it comes to computer literacy. Information: 303-817-8400.
by Mark Smiley | Jan 29, 2018 | Glendale City News
by John Arthur
Writer for and on behalf of the City of Glendale
Legend has it that the game of rugby began in the United Kingdom nearly two centuries ago. Rugby has grown immensely in scope and popularity ever since. Consistently one of the most played and watched sports internationally, rugby has a substantial foothold in the United States as well, one that promises only to increase with the launch of the nation’s forthcoming professional league, Major League Rugby (MLR). Glendale, Colorado, has long been the focal point of rugby in America — home to highly skilled, championship-winning teams, site of the first rugby-specific stadium in the country, and now home to a founding member team in the new professional league: The Glendale Raptors.
Surrounding the Bath Rugby grounds, the City of Bath in the United Kingdom offers another layer of inspiration for the Glendale Raptors coaches.
Part of what makes Glendale’s Infinity Park such a special place for rugby is the organization’s commitment to retaining exceptional coaching staff. Sourced both nationally and from abroad, Glendale’s coaches are some of the best in the business. In December 2017, Glendale’s Director of Rugby Mark Bullock, and David Williams, head coach for the professional Raptors team, traveled to England to observe some of that country’s top teams and coaches. Knowing the level of support and professionalism rugby enjoys in England, Bullock and Williams endeavored to continue Glendale’s commitment to excellence in the sport by exploring the rugby environment in the U.K. — an effort they believe will improve the Raptors’ chances at success on the American professional rugby stage.
The purpose of the trip to England was multifaceted, with both Bullock and Williams fully immersing themselves in the European rugby scene, observing and interacting with established professional organizations. The Glendale duo took in Champions Cup matches, and visited with coaching and support staff from the London Irish, London Harlequins, and Bath Rugby teams. Coach Williams also met staff from the London-based Saracens Football Club, Bristol Rugby, and national strength and conditioning coaches. In addition to their work on increasing rugby knowledge in preparation for the upcoming MLR seaso
The Bath Rugby ticket office shows how well integrated the club is within the cultural fabric of this United Kingdom city.
n, Williams and Bullock were scouting hospitality at stadium venues, ticket sales, and sponsorship opportunities that could be implemented in Glendale. The Raptors are committed to continuing to create a fun, engaging, meaningful fan experience throughout the forthcoming professional season and beyond.
With the enormous success of Glendale’s Academy program last year, the trip also served as an exploration of how teams in the U.K. handle developmental organization and outreach to their local rugby communities. The Glendale Raptors Rugby Academy is an elite men’s development team for players under the age of 23 (U23). Designed as a feeder team for the professional MLR Raptors, the U23 squad enjoyed great success in 2017, with several players signed to play professionally. Although England’s academy programming presents boundaries of pay and other regulations controlled by the Rugby Football Union, Bullock reported that a number of usable techniques came from discussions with the English teams, knowledge he expects will benefit the Raptors programming. Additionally, Bullock noted an exciting potential exchange program between Glendale and Bath academy players, one that would allow Glendale’s players to improve their skills in the professional English Premiership environment, and provide the Bath squad with increased match opportunities in the U.S.
As part of their trip, and to experience as much of England’s professional rugby expertise as possible, Bullock and Williams attended practice sessions, coaches’ meetings, and sat in on Bath Rugby’s team building exercises. Bullock reported that the teams were quite welcoming: “Bath went out of their way to accommodate us and share their best practices. We were able to discuss their organization and their future plans with Director of Rugby Todd Blackadder and CEO Tarquin McDonald, and spent time talking about team culture and what it takes to be successful.” David Williams also noted that the English clubs, coaches, and players were both informed and curious about the professional league launching in the United States: “All the Premiership clubs were aware of MLR and of Glendale, and were welcoming and inquisitive about our Raptors team and the new professional league. That’s great to hear from these diehard rugby professionals, as eyes and ears are watching and listening worldwide.”
Given the sport’s long history in the United Kingdom, it should come as no surprise that both Bullock and Williams agreed that the fan engagement and response there, as compared to the United States, is considerably more robust — for now. Bullock described enjoying a pint with a few local Bath fans, longtime season ticket holders who were all in the team colors and talking up their squad’s chances to compete at a high level in 2018. Games were sold out, VIP boxes full, and an excited, electric atmosphere surrounded the grounds.
Williams summed up the trip, and the Raptors’ bright future in professional rugby, nicely: “Rugby is a major sport in the U.K. and has been for many years. We have a long way to go to gain the same footprint, but with the national CBS television coverage allowing rugby viewership across the country, and our loyal and growing Raptors fan base encouraging new fans to come to the stadium, we will show the United States the spectacle of the sport of rugby.”
As the first games of the Raptors inaugural professional season draw near, it is clear that the team’s leadership is fully prepared to continue its storied evolution, and to meaningfully engage an American audience.
by Mark Smiley | Jan 29, 2018 | Editorials
Denver Mayor Michael Hancock can no longer escape the fact that many of the citizens of the Mile-High City are increasingly viewing him as bought and paid for by some of the worst high-density developers in the country. That reputation has become so prevalent that he and The Denver Post believed it had to be rebutted. The Denver Post has become so financially weakened that it is dependent for its survival on the municipal government.
The Post somewhat quietly abandoned its iconic building between the State Capitol and the City and County Building for unincorporated Adams County. The large building has been rented sub silencio by the municipality thereby saving the Post from having to close. Thus, the paper is no longer in the position to do anything but be a cheerleader for Mayor Hancock and Governor Hickenlooper, the prior mayor of Denver.
Under the heading “Is Denver Mayor Michael Hancock too friendly to developers? Here’s what he thinks,” reporter Jon Murray offered up an extended single soft ball question with no follow up. Murray noted that Hancock was “seen as developer friendly” and that “developers have donated heavily to your campaigns.” Noting that developers “are the ones who are savvy” and “the system kind of favors them” he asks whether there are “things that you plan to try to even the playing field for people who feel like developers are running this town.”
The approximately 500-word answer could be summed up as: No, I have no plans to even the playing field because (1) I am powerless and (2) back in 2011 Denver needed business development. He protested that “I would never sell my integrity — for anyone . . . . not just for me but for my family.” One wanted to ask how that squared with his administration starting off with claims he was a regular “John” for prostitutes working for “Denver Players/Denver Sugar” but no follow up questions were apparently allowed.
He noted secondly that people just didn’t “understand the process” and that “the mayor does not decide where development goes and does not engage in the permitting process. Someone may bring a design to me and I may offer an idea to them, but this is their project, and we stay out of it.”
Wow! It is clear that it is not the public that does not understand “the process” but it is Mayor Hancock who is utterly clueless how the system is supposed to work and how it really works. Assuming the “we” in the quote refers to is the government of the City and County of Denver the mayor is correct that under his aegis the city is little more than a rubber stamp for developers. He goes on, sadly, to note that in his mind all that needs to happen is for a developer see a market need and declares “we need the space.” Game over.
His Honor does not appear to understand that Denver, like virtually every other city in the country, actually has a “Zoning Code” as well as “Master Plans.” We understand he has never read them but it would be nice if he were at least vaguely aware of them. He might also be shocked to find out that there is a “Denver Community Planning and Development Department” headed up by an executive director (Brad Buchanan) and even an 11-member Denver Planning Board that must approve real estate projects before they go on to the City Council. He is apparently unaware that he appointed Mr. Buchanan, as well as each and every member of the Planning Board, and that they are all total developer cronies and hacks and Mr. Buchanan is himself a developer.
The Mayor also appoints members of dozens of board and advisory panels. They all have been systematically stripped of anyone who ever indicated any affinity to parks and open space or even suggests that Denver might want to do a little planning for parking or traffic.
We, of course, understand that he actually did not choose any of these people but they are chosen by Oakwood Homes CEO Pat Hamill and the boys and girls over at Colorado Concern who fund all of his election bids. Perhaps they have an autopen for his signature for all such appointments, so as not to overburden his Honor.
It is consistently rumored that Mayor Hancock spends most of his time when in his office watching ESPN and that his staff has had to put “parental controls” on his office computer to prevent him from going to sites like Ashley Madison.
If you found reading Michael Wolfe’s book Fire and Fury on how the Trump White House works depressing, the relatively short interview by Jon Murray with Mayor Hancock printed on December 12 is even worse.
The 19th century German Chancellor Otto von Bismarck is said to have noted that: “Laws are like sausages. It is better not to see them being made.” The Denver Post did all of Denver a disservice in showing us how Mayor Hancock and his city government actually operate. We all have had our fears, but apparently the reality is even more difficult to stomach.
Mayor Hancock is, of course, highly favored to be re-elected as mayor for a third term next spring. People really do get the government they deserve.
Editorial Board
by Mark Smiley | Dec 17, 2017 | Travel
First National TV Partnership In Domestic Professional Rugby
by Glen Richardson
Nationally Televised: Major League Rugby, which includes the Glendale Raptors, will be broadcast on CBS Sports Network beginning in April 2018. This marks the first national television partnership in the history of American professional rugby.
Major League Rugby (MLR) and CBS Sports Network have announced an exclusive, multi-year television partnership. CBS Sports Network will televise the inaugural season of the new start-up league beginning in April 2018, marking the first national television partnership in the history of American professional rugby.
The Glendale Raptors who call Infinity Park their home were founded in 2007 and now, 11 years later, will be broadcast to all homes carrying the CBS Sports Network. “We are thrilled to announce this partnership,” said Glendale Mayor Mike Dunafon. “The exposure this will give our city is another way we are building upon the vision we had over a decade ago.”
CBS Sports Network will televise a 13-game package with 10 weeks of regular season coverage — highlighted by a Major League Rugby Game of the Week — and two weeks of postseason coverage in 2018, including the semifinals and the first MLR Championship Game.
“We look forward to being the television home of Major League Rugby,” said Dan Weinberg, Executive Vice President of Programming, CBS Sports. “MLR will showcase the speed, power and agility of this exciting sport and we are excited for the launch in April.”
“Partnering with CBS Sports Network is a great step for Major League Rugby and for the sport of rugby in America,” said Major League Rugby Commissioner Dean Howes. “There is no question that rugby is growing fast in the U.S. market. A successful professional league is a critical component of that growth. Television partnerships are incredibly important to any professional league, and we are excited to chart a path to success together with CBS Sports Network.”
Major League Rugby will launch with seven teams in Austin, Houston, Glendale (Colorado), New Orleans, San Diego, Seattle and Salt Lake City (Utah). Each is a key rugby market with a long history of support for the game. The members have strong, local and civic-minded ownership groups with deep ties to their communities and have established grassroots programs, venues in place or in development, and a player pool featuring the best players in North America, reinforced by up to five international signings in the 15-player, Rugby Union format.
For more information on the Glendale Raptors, visit www.glendaleraptors.com. For more information on CBS Sports Network, including a full programming schedule, go to www.cbssportsnetwork.com.
by Mark Smiley | Dec 17, 2017 | Glendale City News
by John Arthur
Writer for and on behalf of the City of Glendale
Recently renovated, Glendale Hampton Inn & Suites is a trusted travel haven and guarantees service and comfort.
Sponsor partnerships are a pillar of the Infinity Park experience, an essential element of what makes Glendale the focal point of rugby in the United States. Though the venue has many sponsor partners, few have as lasting and mutually beneficial history as Hampton Inn & Suites Denver-Cherry Creek. Just as Infinity Park celebrated the first decade of its existence in September 2017, next year will mark 10 years of fruitful partnership with Hampton. Erica Olenick, General Manager of the hotel, reports that being the official partner hotel to the Glendale Raptors “makes the Hampton Inn & Suites a place to go to, not just through.”
With more than 2,000 locations across the globe, Hampton by Hilton, the company that owns and operates Hampton travel destinations, is a truly international operation. Opening its doors in the heart of Glendale in 1999, the Hampton Inn & Suites Denver-Cherry Creek features 133 spacious guest rooms and suites, all well-suited to provide great value and comfort to both leisure and business travelers. General Manager Olenick reports that in addition to the hotel’s excellent location, it offers the chain’s signature Clean and Fresh Hampton Bed, alongside generous complimentary extras like a hot breakfast, WiFi, and all-day coffee. The Glendale location is also eagerly anticipating the completion of renovations to its indoor pool, hot tub, and scenic deck.
Alongside the rest of Glendale, and rugby fans nationally, the hotel is also looking forward to next year’s arrival of Major League Rugby and the emergence of the Raptors as a founding member of the new professional organization. Olenick reports that the hotel’s original partnership with Glendale’s flagship sporting venue was based on proximity to the facility (some guest rooms even feature a view of the pitch and Jumbo screen), but that the relationship blossomed over the years as the hotel recognized that sponsorship possibilities at Infinity Park were endless.
New for 2018, Hampton Inn & Suites will become the official hotel partner for the Glendale Raptors professional team, housing not just fans and visitors, but also rival teams and coaches. Olenick anticipates that the hotel’s historic successes in this long-term partnership will compound in the coming year: “Based on a successful tenure sponsoring Infinity Park, the Raptors, the Merlins, and great events like the RugbyTown Sevens tournament, our additional sponsorship will continue to foster the relationship we have with the players and visitors who stay with us each year.”
Olenick noted that the energy from local and visiting teams is contagious, and the Hampton staff has found how easy it is to become major fans of the sport. “We are thrilled to be an official partner of the Glendale Raptors. We support our local community — we are driving pride and team spirit
New for 2018, Hampton Inn & Suites will become the official hotel partner for the Glendale Raptors professional team, housing not just fans and visitors, but also rival teams and coaches.
within the hotel. When teams stay with us, their energy brings the excitement of rugby not just to the city of Glendale, but also to our staff and guests.” Glendale’s Hampton is poised to make waves in 2018 as Major League Rugby bursts onto the American professional sports scene, further capitalizing on the 10-year partnership.
A trusted travel haven, Glendale’s Hampton Inn & Suites offers guaranteed service and comfort, just as Glendale rugby assures its fans of competition at the highest level. Asked about the hotel’s relationship with Infinity Park, Olenick offered this final reflection: “We are proud to have been a sponsor of Infinity Park from the very beginning. It has been rewarding to see the organization’s hard work and dedication p
Some of Hampton Inn & Suites rooms feature a view of Infinity Park, highlighting the proximity of the two locations.
ay off. The possibilities of what Major League Rugby could bring to Glendale are endless, and we could not be more excited for what’s to come.” Alongside Olenick and her team, anticipation in Glendale and the rest of the world is high for the arrival of professional rugby in the United States. With all eyes on the future, Glendale and Hampton will continue their lasting and meaningful partnership, ushering one another into a new era of success.
by Mark Smiley | Dec 17, 2017 | General Featured
Piano Playtime For Preschool Children Hits All The Right Notes With Valley Parents
by Glen Richardson
Child’s Play: Students at newly launched Gymboree Play & Music get the best possible start in overall brain development, confidence, and just plain old fun.
All right everybody gather around because the Piano Playtime kids are here. What kind of tune do you want to hear? They can play anything you want because they’re smart.
What is Piano Playtime you ask? It’s a carefully designed program for two-and-a-half to five-year-olds. Around for more than 30 years, it currently serves many private preschools in Denver’s north and west suburbs. This fall the program was formally launched at Gymboree Play & Music at I-25 and Hampden. In-home classes for groups of four or more are also offered.
Why? It gives your young one the best possible start in overall brain development, confidence, and just plain old fun! Many Piano Playtime veteran families have watched their young ones grow into amazing young musicians. They have balanced interests and varied strengths and continuous joy in learning. The program uses a rich, play-based curriculum for preschoolers. It is based on recent research in early piano learning to promote child brain development. Instruction is rooted in Gordon Research, Kodaly, Montessori, and Suzuki principles. It uses “ear before eye” for concentrated neuro-network activity. It builds higher intelligence, encourages full brain integration and full use of all sensory inputs.
Studies Support
Many recent studies in Neuroscience conclude that learning to play the piano during the preschool years is the most beneficial of any activity for building intelligence and brain function, increasing neuro-networking, concentration, coordination, confidence and brain integration. Learning piano before the age of seven grows physically larger brains. Moreover, preschool classes in violin, computers and foreign languages pale in comparison.
Piano Playtime has been carefully designed in program and curriculum to emulate language learning and literacy because music is a language, the universal language. We all learn to fluently speak our mother tongue by age six, quite miraculously without any formal study. Just being in a community with loving family, friends and loved ones gives the impetus to learn our language in a very natural and amazing way, auditory. Thus, music, specifically piano, is learned in the same way, beginning at age three when the auditory inputs are at their maximum and finger isolation begins to develop.
This is especially important for little boys. They are typically born without the ability to integrate L/R brain and are often 12-18 months behind in brain development throughout the preschool-early elementary years.
Preschool Brilliance: The piano tops computer, foreign language and violin classes in helping preschoolers function at higher levels.
Keyboard Playing Field
Many parents spend $50 or more per month for their preschoolers to play sports or other activities that have little effect on brain development or basic intellectual growth through increased brain size. Piano is the only activity that has been proven to do this. The studies are numerous and staggering in their conclusions: such as the piano tops computer, foreign language and violin classes in helping preschoolers function at higher levels and use more of their brain not only during class times but transferring to all other areas of neural function. The benefits last for a lifetime. Seems like a small price to pay for such enormous benefits.
Considering how critical the preschool years are for developing neural networks that last a lifetime, it seems shortsighted in point of view to keep preschool piano as a “luxury” rather than a staple for preschoolers.
Pre-K Standards
Piano activates, accelerates and permanently expands many neuron centers of learning. This includes speech-language, fine motor, auditory processing, visual-spatial reasoning, social-interactive, cognition, confidence and more. Playing by ear, learning beginning pre-reading skills, improvising, and creating music are all basics of the Whole Music Approach (WMA).
The program offers a well-designed curriculum based on research, natural developmental stages of children. Furthermore the curriculum is in alignment with the MENC National Standards for Pre-K. Providing fun and motivational support are key principles of the approach. WMA facilitates interactive learning and positive life skills. Parent education is a vital part of the curriculum.
The staff works with parents and caregivers to understand the vital happenings within the children’s environment that stimulate accelerated brain development, intelligence and activate nourishing relationships within the family through the children’s day to day musical learning. They make sure that parents know what is happening in the classes, encourage parent attendance and provide in-home music activities. A small class size of four to six children makes it piano intensive. Along with deeply caring parents, family, teachers and community, these benefits can only help expand the forward movement of human evolution.
Playful Package
“Play” is learning for the young child and the program takes your child’s play seriously. There is no other time in a child’s life when piano is so critical for accelerated brain growth. At Playtime classes in Denver and the Cherry Creek Valley, the Whole Music Approach (WMA) is used to develop young musicians who can play by ear, improvise freely and later compose and read music.
Youngsters are encouraged to create their own pieces, based on what they have mastered through reading music. Whatever style of piano kids and their parents would like to learn, instructors can customize lesson plans. The Whole Music Method paired with a piano is also perfect for students to create a life-long love of music. Kids are encouraged to participate in regular recitals and on-going performances and concerts.
