by Mark Smiley | Aug 29, 2016 | Travel
Neighborhood, City Council Okay Garfield Plans; Milwaukee Development Looms
Given the shadows cast by an ever-increasing rash of skyscrapers from the nearby business district, residents in Cherry Creek North’s tony residential neighborhood north of 3rd Ave. become exceptionally nervous with regard to potential changes to its character. These are the residents, after all, that urged, “Smart development, not overdevelopment” for the Cherry Creek’s business district.
Thus when the two largest remaining parcels within the residential neighborhood — a rare corner with six contiguous lots at 2nd Ave. and Garfield, the other a five-lot plot between 320-260 Milwaukee, and both zoned G-RH-3 — became potential development sites residents quickly became skittish. The Cherry Creek North Neighborhood Association (CCNNA) and Councilman Wayne New reached an agreement for the Garfield development that was approved at the August 22 City Council meeting. Sale of the Milwaukee property just closed and information isn’t yet available on plans for development at that location.
When initially learning that the family that owned the Garfield property was planning to build garden court style apartments, neighbors objected declaring they would look like “army barracks.” They requested the city review the intent of the code and listen to their concerns. City Councilman Wayne New — a past president of the CCNNA — along with colleague Councilman Rafael Espinoza then asked for a one-year city-wide moratorium on the garden court concept so the zoning code could be corrected or clarified. Other council members, however, expressed concern that the yearlong moratorium could halt other city projects.
Silver Lining
There is a silver lining to the development cloud, at least for the Garfield property. Paula Newberry-Arnold and her son Kien whose family have owned the property for nearly 70 years finalized an agreement with the CCNNA led by president Bob Vogel that proved acceptable to both the neighborhood and the family. Under the agreement, the number of units in the development was decreased from 30 down to 26, with no stacked units. Moreover, the courtyard space between buildings was expanded to 33 feet versus the original 16 feet.
Furthermore there will actually be gardens within the development not just doors, notes Councilman New. He says his review of the plan gave him the assurance he needed to amend the moratorium. On August 22 the Denver City Council agreed, lifting the moratorium on current projects including Garfield, but approved the year-long halt for new projects city-wide..
The neighborhood is just beginning to learn about the five-lot plot located between 320-360 Milwaukee. It just sold for $7,600,000, unofficially a record price of $1,520,000 per lot. Neither the buyer nor plans for development of that property have yet been disclosed. However, up to 10 units — condos, flats or townhomes — could be built, potentially including the garden court designs.
Flowering Since WWII
Weldon Newberry and two of his brothers originally purchased a greenhouse at the Garfield location in Cherry Creek just after WWII and began growing famed Colorado Carnations, the first trademarked flower in the U.S. A few years later, Weldon and his wife Elizabeth purchased full ownership from the remaining brother. With fuel prices skyrocketing, carnations were being shipped into the states cheaper than they could be grown in the greenhouse. At this point, the greenhouses were used to grow a large variety of flowers and plants and Elizabeth Newberry focused on developi
ng the wedding and floral side of the business.
The daughter of Weldon and Elizabeth Newberry, Paula Newberry-Arnold now co-owns the business with her son Kien Arnold. The business has developed into one of Denver’s top floral and décor shops specializing in large themed events and custom floral design. Earlier this year they relocated the business into the former Natural Grocers property on Leetsdale Drive (Chronicle, January 2016).
Originally 500 Cherry Creek North neighborhood homeowners signed a petition protesting the proposed Garfield development. Now, however, many say they look forward to it being built believing it will be an improvement over the greenhouses that weren’t exactly an asset to the neighborhood.
by Mark Smiley | Aug 29, 2016 | Glendale City News
Politics Anyone? Please Say No!!
by Danny Foster, Esq.
Ah how delightful that another presidential election year is in full swing. Another chance for our deeply held political and personal beliefs to be on wide display via our bumper stickers, yard signs, baseball caps and especially on our social media pages. It warms my heart to see the respectful and mature interactions amongst the opposing candidates and their supporters. I’m sure that when you notice a political posting that you disagree with on Facebook you simply scroll past that post or register a polite comment. Surely no one would risk social alienation just to let their Facebook friend know that their presidential pick was a complete lunatic, criminal, or lunatic-criminal. After all we live in the United States of America where we are known for our civility, especially when it comes to presidential politics. Being nasty toward our friends and relatives who hold different political beliefs would be asinine and something none of us would engage in, right? Right? Hello? Hello?
Wouldn’t that be refreshing if we could maturely and professionally debate our political positions and rationally discuss things without it being the cause of stress, frustration and at times violence? Who knows, maybe that will happen at some time in the future; it certainly isn’t happening in this election cycle. So as much as I had wanted to explain my political opinion I was reminded, politely by my law partners, that it would be “frowned on” and maybe expressing my political thoughts might just likely alienate half the potential readers of this fine publication. My partners urged restraint. “No one wants to hear your political position Danny” one of them said. “Who do you think you are, Bill Maher?” Another griped. “Leave the good citizens of the Cherry Creek region alone, they have suffered enough with your thought-provoking pieces over the years. Can’t you just tell them about our law firm?” That comment came from my brother and partner David Foster who has had to listen to me for my entire life. Thanks David!
So I have heeded their advice and decided to scratch the political endorsements and move straight to the top five things people ask me as a lawyer and what advice I generally provide. It’s not as fun as politics, but probably a lot more helpful.
1) If I am pulled over by the police and they think I have been drinking, what do I do?
Assuming you decided to drink and drive instead of hailing an Uber then you have opted to be penny-wise and pound foolish. It’s so cheap to hail a Lyft, Uber or cab that it makes no financial sense to risk a DUI. But if you are pulled over remember: do NOT admit to drinking (you have a right to remain silent), do NOT take the voluntary roadside tests (you have a right to decline these tests), and if you choose to take a chemical test, insist on the BLOOD test. There are obviously many arguments about whether or not to refuse the chemical test, but for a first offense the best decision is to take the blood test. It should be noted that a refusal to take a test can lead to a one-year revocation of your license. If you refuse and lose your license you may be eligible for a license with an interlock after two-months of not driving. The sanctions for a blood alcohol test above .08 comes with a license suspension, but you may be eligible for license with interlock after one-month. This analysis becomes more complicated with multiple offenses and any criminal conviction. So the choice is yours!
Also, it’s always a smart idea to be polite to the police. They are only doing their job, and trust me, you will never, ever win an argument with a police officer on the side of the road. You are NOT entitled to an attorney during their DUI investigation. So be smart, be polite, keep your mouth shut, and if you choose to take a chemical test, remember: Blood Test. The second you are released from custody call your lawyer!
2) Should I discuss my personal injury case with a lawyer, even if it’s a small injury?
Yes you should. Call your attorney first before you give any statements to the insurance company. And be sure to get yourself checked out by medical personnel as soon as possible. It is also critical to remember that when you are selecting what type of auto insurance to buy, always select medical payment coverage, and always maximize your uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage. Trust me in case of a catastrophic accident you will be glad you did.
3) While we are discussing a personal injury case, why isn’t my face on billboards and on TV advertising for personal injury?
Well that is a loaded question. First of all the point of advertising is to obtain clients. Using my face could have the opposite effect; I couldn’t possibly compete with the chiseled jaws and manly-men already advertising on the TV, bus benches and urinals. The second point is that I have deliberately chosen to not go down that road. While all attorneys are allowed to advertise, I think that type of advertising demeans the profession and makes personal injury attorneys look clownish. We are in the business of helping people who are going through some of the worst situations they may ever face, and I don’t want to disrespect our very important job by looking like a stereotypical ambulance chaser. I hope one day all personal injury attorneys trust their work product and referrals for business instead of bombarding us with ads 24 hours a day. But the data shows the advertising will only increase. Sorry folks!
4) I don’t have a will or medical power of attorney, is this a big deal?
Um yes! Especially if you have children. Get that Will completed and signed as soon as possible. Don’t wait for a catastrophic event to start considering your estate planning. Even if you have few assets you need to get this done. It’s easy, relatively inexpensive based on your needs, and can literally save your life or the life of your children. No more excuses! Get that Will done. And while you’re at it, get scheduled for that colonoscopy already!
5) What’s the best way to get out of jury service?
I can’t even count the number of times I’ve been asked this question. My answer is always the same “why would you want to get out of jury service?” Jury service is a remarkable accomplishment of our American justice system that is truly unique to our country. While other countries also have a jury system, even the most democratic among these countries don’t have the power of our jury system. If you are trying to wiggle out of jury service by intentionally misrepresenting your belief system then you’re not only subjecting yourself to contempt, but you are missing out on an amazing opportunity to participate in the greatest justice system on earth.
So speaking of the greatest political system on earth I’d like to formally endorse the next president of the United States . . . (I apparently surpassed my word count, I’ll let you know in December).
Danny is a managing partner of Foster, Graham, Milstein & Calisher (FGMC). His practice focuses on personal injury. The law firm of FGMC, located in Cherry Creek, is a full service law firm focusing on: criminal defense, personal injury, real estate, litigation, liquor licensing, construction law, tax/estate planning, bankruptcy and zoning. This article does not create an attorney-client relationship and is for informational use only (what do you expect from an attorney!)
by Mark Smiley | Aug 29, 2016 | General Featured
News That Local Filmmakers Won Distribution Rights
Is Exciting, Particularly For Two Short Films Worldwide
by Glen Richardson
Getting a distribution deal for a film is the aspiration for almost all filmmakers. But it can be tough — thousands of films are produced every year, and very few make it to the next level. It is even harder to get distribution for a short film. So it is a true achievement for Denver’s BS Filmworks to have landed a Shorts.TV distribution deal for not just one, but two of their short films. Furthermore both films were created through the 48 Hour Film Project — a worldwide competition where films are written, shot, and edited in a 48 hour time period.
Filmmakers Brock Sherman (the B in BS Filmworks), Scott Takeda and Lori Kay Allred (Takeda’s wife) of BS Filmworks recently signed an agreement with Shorts.TV to get worldwide television distribution for their short film “If Not Now” — a film about a family dealing with an aging parent and dementia. The film began airing on Shorts.TV this July. Shorts.TV is the global home to the world’s highest quality short films. Headquartered in London with its U.S. office in Los Angeles, Shorts.TV has produced the Oscar Nominated Short Film theatrical release since 2006 and distributes other exceptional short films to 54 countries through various platforms including cable, satellite and iTunes. In Colorado, viewers can see Shorts.TV on DirecTV, AT&T, and CenturyLink.
“We’re obviously ecstatic about this,” admits filmmaker Takeda. “We know it’s rare to get distribution for films, especially short films. And Shorts.TV only accepts the top short films produced worldwide, so we’re honored that they chose us.”
Coming To Colorado
“We really responded to ‘If Not Now,’” adds Efren Rodriguez of Shorts.TV. “It’s a beautiful, character-driven story that is very well done. We’re also excited that the director Lori Kay Allred is female. Hollywood needs diverse voices, and we like that she took a personal story and brought it to life on camera.”
“Our goal is to produce feature films in Colorado and bring TV/Film work back into the state,” says producer Sherman. “This film is a great example of the kind of filmmaking we do because it’s a story that’s personal to us and full of complex characters.”
Shorts.TV has also purchased U.S. and foreign distribution rights to another BS Filmworks short film called “The Decision.” This film was shot last summer in Croatia and is about a young woman choosing between the wishes of her family and her desire to choose her own path. Allred also directed this film.
Decision Coming
“The Decision” was entered into the 2015 local 48 Hour Film Project competition, but has gone through multiple re-shoots. “We wanted to do something different with ‘The Decision,’” explains director Allred. “We shot a version for the competition, and then decided we wanted to tell a longer story with more depth. So we rewrote the script and shot new scenes in both Croatia, and later in Denver.
“The Decision” will appear on Shorts.TV later this year. BS Filmworks is currently working on two features — a story about Colorado’s internment camps and the other is a family drama set during the holidays.
The BS Filmworks trio of Allred, Sherman and Takeda are all Emmy award-winning storytellers. Lori Allred is a national Emmy winning writer for her work on the “Food Network.” Brock Sherman is a multiple regional Emmy winner and has won the national New York Festivals WorldMedal for his graphics animations. And Scott Takeda works both behind and in front of the camera as a director and TV/ Film actor.
Takeda’s Role
The Chronicle first featured Scott Takeda for his acting (March 2013). As an actor, his film roles have included parts in Everything Must Go, Dallas Buyers Club and Gone Girl. He worked as a photojournalist/ producer for the CBS-owned TV station KCNC from 1992 until 1994. From 1995 to 1997, he was a producer and director for the sy
ndicated children’s show News-for-Kids. Takeda’s television acting debut came with a guest star role on Easy Money in 2009. He later played the character of Stella’s father, Mr. Yamada, in the 2011 Disney Channel TV movie Lemonade Mouth. In 2015, he guest starred on the television series American Crime, The Messengers, and Grimm among others.
Takeda’s wife Lori is a producer with High Noon Productions and works on several high-profile HGTV shows, such as Diners, Dives and Drive-ins. The couple has lived in the Cory Merrill neighborhood for more than 23 years.
Takeda also runs Takeda Entertainment, a production company that produces corporate films and documentaries, including the Emmy-nominated 1996 documentary The Holocaust: Colorado Remembers, which he wrote, directed and produced. The fir
m’s list of corporate clients touches nearly every category of corporate America. There’s telecommunication firms like BellSouth and Echostar and financial giants such as GE Capital and Morgan Stanley on the list. The equally diverse list of local clients includes the Arvada Center, the University of Colorado and Western Dairy Association. Hallmark Entertainment and FOX have been among their programming clients.
Corporate Clients
This August Takeda’s Entertainment crews hit the road for on-location shoots for Sub-Zero/Wolf/Asko — the high-end manufacturers of kitchen appliances. They were filming an installation program and showing how it is a key part of delivering a premium experience for their customers. “Two years ago, we produced a B-to-C film that showcased Sub-Zero’s industry-leading service program,” explains Takeda. “We focused our storytelling efforts around humanizing the service experiences. This time, we were showing how Sub-Zero’s installation program is building on those efforts and creating better customer service.”
The firm’s automotive projects have included work for Buick, Saab and General Motors (Detroit and Mexico). Earlier this year, Takeda’s creative team was busy putting the finishing touches on a corporate documentary film for Cadillac. The goal was to tell a story about a new sales program.
“We’re passionate about telling stories with emotional impact because it’s harder than ever to reach and affect an audience. Genuine people stories cut through the clutter,” he believes. “Whether we’re interpreting creative ideas and pairing them with global brands like Cadillac or directing a film, we know how to reveal powerful, honest moments. Every story. Every time,” Takeda concludes.
by Mark Smiley | Aug 29, 2016 | Editorials
The Denver City Attorney’s Office is an enormous operation employing over 100 attorneys and hundreds of paralegals and staff personnel. It not only advises the Mayor and all City Department agencies as well as the City Council but also the City Auditor. It also represents and defends the City in all legal matters including initiating and defending lawsuits.
In recent years the job of City Attorney, which is considered a great political plum, has attracted the good, the bad and the ugly. Cole Finegan broke the record for hutzpah in office by claiming that the City Attorney position was not really a full-time job and so he became City Attorney and Chief of Staff simultaneously for then Mayor John Hickenlooper. His successor Larry Manzanares committed suicide after being charged with stealing a government computer and putting pornography on it.
In 2014 Mayor Hancock appointed 34-year-old Scott Martinez to the position. We noted that he had little or no qualifications for the job and the people who knew him called him a “legal lightweight” and “a political hack.” His appointment was apparently due to political pressure put on the Mayor by the Colorado Latino Forum which claimed, probably validly, that Hancock had appointed very few Hispanics to important positions in his administration.
For pointing out Martinez’s lack of qualifications we received a scalding, if not unintentionally hilarious letter, from the Board of Directors of the Colorado Latino Forum Denver Chapter accusing the Chronicle of all types of political incorrectness including racism, ageism and anti-nativism.
Since our story wherein we criticized Mr. Martinez concerned Hentzell Park, the Board of the Colorado Latino Forum Denver Chapter for good measure also severely castigated those individuals and neighborhood groups opposing the park being traded away for development. The Board specifically excoriated the everyday citizens for failing “to ask permission of those tribes that have historical claim to the land, the C
heyenne and Arapaho Nations, and explain how their homeland will be used for the good of the people.” Ostensibly any person challenging any land use decision or rezoning in the City and County Denver would be subject to the same criticism. Wow, as if opposing the entire city bureaucracy and the all-powerful real estate developers isn’t bad enough.
The Board then went on to declare that they were standing up for Mr. Martinez and others like him who they knew have “earned their leadership positions” and that they would take their “rightful places in history.” The Board extensively publicized its letter throughout the Internet.
Well Mr. Martinez has taken his “rightful place in history” after being forced to resign in disgrace after two and half disastrous years as City Attorney. He is under criminal investigation by the District Attorney for destroying his letter terminating Assistant City Attorney Stuart Shapiro that was being sought by investigative reporter Brian Maass of Channel 4 News pursuant to a Colorado Open Records Act request.
Related thereto the Denver City Council has just approved paying Mr. Shapiro a $660,000 settlement of claims that he was “scapegoated by higher ups” (read Scott Martinez and his deputies) regarding his suspension for his apparent unethical actions during the investigation of the Sheriff’s Deputies abuse of Jamal Hunter, who the city paid $3.25 million. No one appears to doubt that Shapiro engaged in unethical conduct as highlighted by Federal Judge John Kane, but instead it appears he did so so on the instructions of Scott Martinez and his deputies.
Why that entitles Shapiro to $660,000 of the taxpayers’ money is a little unclear, but as the headline to the lead Denver Post editorial declared, “Something stinks about Denver’s Shapiro settlement.” Thanks to an obsequious and secretive Denver City Council we will, in fact, probably never find out what really happened.
We, along with neighborhood groups like Friends of Hentzell Park, are anxiously awaiting the heartfelt apology to us from the entire Board of the Colorado Latino Forum Denver Chapter acknowledging that we were correct and they were wrong about Mr. Martinez’s fitness to be City Attorney, but somehow we get the feeling it will never come.
So out with the incompetent and apparently ethically challenged City Attorney Scott Martinez and in with the new one Kristin M. Bronson from the national law firm Lewis Roca Rothgerber Christie, LLP. She too is a virtually unknown and by all appearances is not much more than a mediocre attorney stuck in a huge firm with little or no qualifications for municipal legal work, but her predecessor had a similar background.
How did our esteemed mayor find her? That is easy — he didn’t. She was found by Pat Hamill and/or his real estate development buddies who knew her from the fact that a significant part of her legal work, according to her law firm’s website, was representing “lender, developer and property management clients in all facets of real estate, construction, and banking law.” No reason for the mayor to kowtow to the Colorado Latino Forum any longer when the real estate developers can have their gal put in place who will undoubtedly “do as instructed.”
Will she be as inept, incompetent and ethically challenged as Scott Martinez? We doubt it, but that is a very low bar to hurdle. Will she represent the interests and concerns of the citizens of the City and County of Denver? You have got to be kidding. She knows who got her appointed — real estate developers — and that is who will give the necessary marching orders.
So, the beat goes on in Mayor Michael Hancock’s Mile High City.
— Editorial Board
by Mark Smiley | Jul 22, 2016 | Travel
by Megan Carthel
Happening every Wednesday night from June 8 to August 17, the Shady Grove Picnic Series is a delightful night of local and national music talent. A crowd gathers together with picnics, friends and family, fresh air and good music. The Four Mile Historic Park adds the perfect backdrop to this almost two-decade musical tradition. So far this year, the Shady Grove Picnic Series goers have had the pleasure of hearing the musical talents of Wendy Woo and Friends, Perpetual Motion and Sweet B and Her Moonshine.
Harry Tuft and his friends played a magical set on July 13. The folksy-country sound was a perfect match for the evening’s warm breeze and shady trees. Marti Friednash, Mag Hayden, Ron Jones and Jack Stanesco joined Tuft on stage, adding not only a mix into the music, but bits of comedy. It was truly an enjoyable show for every age.
The Shady Grove Picnic Series is the perfect family night, date night or evening out of the house, and with the Em’s Ice Cream truck at every show doling out fresh and cold organic scoops of delicious home-made ice cream, it’s a great way to cool off and relax after a long, hot summer day.
These relaxing Wednesday evenings are put on by Swallow Hill Music, a non-profit organization for musicians and music lovers. Barry Osborne, mar
keting manager for Swallow Hill Music, said the Shady Grove Picnic Series is a more low-key concert that allows friends to come together, listen to music, chat, enjoy each other’s company. It’s safe to say music fans are transported to a summer oasis within the city limits. The family-friendly and laid back environment gives younger music fans the chance to experience live music. Swallow Hill Music works with Four Mile Historic Park to put together these summer staple Wednesday nights and to find emerging talent.
“The Shady Grove Picnic Series is a great way to introduce music fans to bands they might not be aware of,” Osborne said.
For the bands, it’s a chance to get in front of a larger crowd than they’re used to — with about 100 or so people gathering around the tent stage.
While the Shady Grove Picnic Series generally showcases folk music, other genres are making an appearance this year. Color, a funk, soul band driven around a guitar lending to a modern-soul sound, and The Scones, with an Americana-Ro
ck-and-Roll sound, are sure to shake up the Shady Grove scene with new and exciting sounds.
“Even though we’re known as a folk organization and present a lot of folk we feel the American music experience is broad enough we can push that,” Osborne said.
For Osborne, when everything from the audience to an energetic live band comes together, putting on these shows is amazing. “[The Shady Grove Picnic Series] feels like a hallmark of summer in Denver,” said Osborne.
Swallow Hill Music does more than put on concerts. The non-profit has a music school that employs experienced and talented musicians. Students learn a song by the end of their first class. But teaching isn’t all Swallow Hill Music does; the non-profit hosts “exceptional musical experiences” throughout the year in the Denver community. Their concerts feature up-and-coming artists, local talent and national talents who “enrich the local arts scene.”
This year, tickets are available online or at the door. An evening of great music and picnics is a steal at $12 for adults, $8 for Swallow Hill Music and Four Mile Historic Park members and kids under 12 can enjoy the music for only $2 — kids under two are free. For more information, visit Swallow Hill Music’s website swallowhillmusic.org.
by Mark Smiley | Jul 22, 2016 | Glendale City News
by Brent New
Writer for and on behalf of the City of Glendale
Infinity Park at Glendale, Colorado
Glendale is throwing a beer festival alongside a prestigious rugby tournament at Infinity Park.
How the two will ultimately mix? Where better to find that answer than inside one of Colorado’s flavorful craft breweries.
“I think rugby and beer are perfect together because beer actually has all eight amino acids,” Post Brewing Co. Director of Sales AJ Boglioli weighed in. “Perfect for a postgame sip.”
Hmm. Well, all right then.
The event on August 27, dubbed “Glendale’s Bruises and Brews Beerfest,” will give attendees the chance to sample from breweries and distilleries while taking in the second day of the three-day Serevi RugbyTown 7s Tournament (August 26-28).
More than 20 breweries will showcase their top beers, liquors and hard ciders. Admittance — and unabashed acceptance — is $35.
“It seems like two passionate groups of people coming together — people who are passionate about rugby and people who are passionate about beer,” said Boglioli, whose brewery will make its first appearance at the event.
“It just makes sense,” he added. People are working up a sweat and watching a sport that they love, and then they get to sit back and chug some delicious beer that they like to drink.”
And hey, the whole rugby part should be pretty good, too.
The Rugby 7s tournament — called 7s because of two seven-minute halves and seven players on each side — will feature teams from five nations, including teams from each branch of the United States Armed Services.
It comes on the heels of the 2016 Olympic Games in Rio, where 7s will make its fast-paced, hard-hitting debut.
The tournament purse is $10,000.
“In my opinion it’s an all-around really good event for everybody,” said Annette Gilman, the owner of Scrum Enterprises, the liquor concessionaire for Infinity Park. “People like it. They come, they sample beer, they go down and watch some rugby, they come back. … It’s great.”
Gilman said she expects between 22 and 24 breweries and four distilleries.
Expected beverage providers include 3 Freaks Brewery, Boggy Draw Brewery, Blank & Booth Distillery, Bull and Bush, C Squared Ciders, Colorado Cider Co., Comrade Brewing, Copper Kettle, Dad and Dudes Breweria, Denver Beer Co., Epic Brewing Company, Goldspot Brewing Company, Golden Moon Distillery, Hogshead Brewing, Joyride Brewing, Lariat Lodge Brewing, Mile High Spirits, Odell Brewing, Platt Park Brewing, Post Brewing, Sanitas Brewing, State 38 Distillery, Station 26 Brewing, Strange Brewing, WestFax Brewing and Westminster Brewing Co.
The high (large amount) turnout? It’s no secret as to why, said Kelissa Hieber, a brewer at Goldspot Brewing Company.
In a time where beerfests can sometimes blur together, Glendale is making sure it stands apart.
“A lot of breweries have been really pulling back with how many festivals they are doing,” said Hieber, a lover of beer and rugby. “We always before considered it as free marketing but now there are so many festivals and so many of them are the same. There’s no other entertainment festivals like this, just a bunch of beer.
And the wider demographic makes this beerfest all the more exciting.
“This festival is unique in that is does have that entertainment factor and you’re bringing people to your booth that wouldn’t go to your standard festival,” she adds. “We were really eager to come back this year.”
The beer will be served under a giant tent at the park’s Festival Plaza from 12-4 p.m.
Admission for the two-in-one event includes a ticket and a commemorative tasting mug. Only 1,500 tickets will be sold.
“I think people have really enjoyed it,” said Kieran Nelson, the Director of Stadium Operations at Infinity Park. “I think that a lot of people think it’s a cool mix — it’s a cool marriage if you will.”
The beerfest in its current form has been going on since 2014 and the Serevi RugbyTown 7s is in its fifth year.
A donation from the event will go to the Glendale Raptors Rugby Youth Foundation.
Tickets for Glendale’s Bruises and Brews Beerfest can be found online. It includes unlimited beer pours and three distillery tastings. Must be 21 or older.
Tickets for day two of the Serevi RugbyTown 7s Tournament ONLY are $10. Children under the age of 12 are free.
Free parking is available at the corner of Kentucky and Cherry Street or at the corner of Ohio and S. Birch Street. First come, first served.
