by Mark Smiley | Mar 1, 2018 | Uncategorized
Are you Irish, me lads and me lassies? Well, the saying goes everyone is a little Irish on St. Patrick’s Day (March 17). More than 34 million Americans are of Irish descent. That’s almost nine times the population of Ireland! The Spring Vernal Equinox brings days and nights in equal proportions just three days following St. Paddy’s Day.
From the West’s biggest Irish parade to shamrock and leprechaun symbols, the Valley becomes the Emerald Isle for a weekend celebrating Irish custom and traditions.
Here are our fairytale and folklore choices for shopping, dining and entertainment to keep you marching toward spring without soothsayers or winter holding you back:
3 Following a week of events beginning March 1, the highly anticipated Kirkland Museum of Fine & Decorative Art’s new building in the Golden Triangle opens to the public March 10. Information: 303-832-8576.
3 Catch Amy Dickinson’s speech at Florence Crittenton’s 125th dinner in the Hilton City Center March 8, 5:30 p.m. Information: 720-423-8913.
3 Treat the kids to the Denver Children’s Theatre fairytale production of Sleeping Beauty March 8-May 4 at the JCC. Information: 303-316-6360.
3 If you missed the DYAO Spectacular at Gates the Young Artist Orchestras play again at Boettcher March 12, 2:30 p.m. Information: 303-871-7720
3 Make fitness fun this year at Glendale’s JCC Fitness-Wellness Center newly outfitted with an array of equipment, a small group-training studio, plus renovated locker rooms. Open to everyone. Information: 303-316-6300.
3 Lamb historically is the Easter-Spring meat of choice. Enjoy the classic fresh flavor of spring lamb slowly roasted outside on rotisseries at the Monaco Inn Restaurant April 1, 12-8 p.m. Information: 303-320-1104.
3 Vote for best dish at Great Chefs of the West EXDO Center event March 15, 6 p.m. benefiting the Kidney Foundation. Information: 720-748-9991.
3 Journey to the Hyatt Regency Convention Center for Junior League of Denver’s fundraiser on March 23, 6 p.m. Information: 303-692-0270.
3 Hoop it up for March Madness at National Jewish Health’s Hoops & Hoopla March 31, 3:30-9:30 p.m. Watch both games of the Men’s College Basketball Semifinals in Glendale’s Infinity Park Event Center with wrap-around screens. Attendees enjoy a gourmet buffet, open bar, silent auction plus Basketball Pop-A-Shot and casino-arcade games. A benefit for the Morgride Academy for chronically ill kids. Information: 303-728-6576.
As March Madness teams bid and fans bet on who will play in NCAA’s Big Dance basketball playoffs consider that March 14 is National Pi Day. Pi is a mathematical concept and a number that never ends. Albert Einstein was born March 14, 1879. Perhaps the sequence created Pi Day or maybe it was the bounce of a basketball.
Nearly every day in March warms to over 40 °F. Moreover, the Valley averages three days during the month when the thermometer reaches into the 70s, or higher.
Indoors or out, no one relaxes in March due to wind and taxes. But St. Patrick’s Day is about looking forward to better days. Even if you remember to wear green on March 17, you’ll still get a “pinch” of humor from this Irish thought: What do you get when you cross a four-leaf clover with poison ivy: A rash of St. Paddy’s Day good luck!
— Glen Richardson
The Valley Gadfly can be reached at newspaper@glendalecherrycreek.com.
by Mark Smiley | Sep 25, 2015 | Uncategorized
A Big Booo to you!
Both horrifying and hilarious, this is the bewitching month when “A Haunting We Will Go!” We must have bats in our belfry because what was once a one-day holiday has been carved into a full month of freakish parties, spooky street people and ghoulish performances.
Here’s the Chronicle’s list of haunted houses, paranormal parties, street prowling events and pumpkin carvings to keep you frightened and fearful.
The 13th Floor, Oct. 1-Nov.14
This house takes guests through a frightening tour of horror. Brave guests will learn just why the 13th floor is so often omitted from building plans — if they make it through to tell the tale. Thrills with intricate sets, highly selective casting, and incredible special effects makeup that are sure to make reality and fiction blur into terror. Information: 303-355-3327.
The Asylum, Oct. 1-Nov. 1
Back again, this 1800s era themed “hospital for t
he mentally insane” has been taken over by the patients and prisoners. Tapping into some of our greatest fears, the haunted experience is a head-trip that screams of its tortured souls inside the once orderly insane asylum. Information: 303-355-3327.
Mausoleum, Oct. 1-Nov. 1
You can’t predict what will happen next. No one can survive because you are already dead! Do you have the nerve to tour a haunted mausoleum at night? The ghosts await your arrival. Information: 303-795-6666.
13th Door, Oct. 2-Nov.1
This is a terrifying journey through petrifying halls filled with relentless scares and screaming. Only the brave should enter and try to navigate the horrifying hallways. Information: 720-261-0570.
Pumpkin Harvest Festival, Oct. 3-4
Old-time fall celebration with pumpkins, wagon rides, caramel apples and cider at Four Mile Historic Park, 10 a.m.-4 p.m. The historic 12-acre site provides the perfect country setting for nostalgic autumn fun, including a scarecrow-building station and pumpkin patch, pie-eating contests, live music, crafts, seasonal treats, and county fair amusements. Historic demonstrations and tours of the Four Mile House Museum will highlight how families in the region lived and prepared for the season during the late 1800s. Information: 720-865-0800.
Colorado Ghost Stories, Oct. 8
Join Active Minds as they tiptoe through the haunted houses and ghoulish graveyards of the area. They will tell the ghost stories associated with the Stanley Hotel, Cheesman Park, the Molly Brown House, and more as we visit the past and the past visits with us a bit. The free event is from 1:30-2:30 p.m. at the Highland Senior Center. Information: 303-458-4868.
Glow At The Gardens, Oct. 14, 21 & 28
Pumpkin displays, luminaria-lined pathways and cocktail parties at the Botanic Gardens, 6-9 p.m. Stories by The Story Seeker, scavenger hunts and other fall-themed activities will be part of the fun. All activities included with admission. Separate costs are for food and cash bar. Oct. 14: Sea-themed pumpkin display with live music in the Glow Lounge featuring Branden Sipes. Oct. 21: Dinosaur-themed pumpkin display and a mask station for children. Glow Lounge live music by Yoshi & Dan. Oct. 28: Halloween-themed pumpkin display with trick-or-treating. Classic Vinyl Band Live in the Glow Lounge. Information: 720-865-3500.
Victorian Horrors XXII,
Oct. 16-17 & 23-24
Costumed actors at the Molly Brown House Museum bring to life tales of terror from such masters of Victorian gothic literature as Edgar Allan Poe, HG Wells and Mary Shelley. Come the first time, or come again for a fresh set of terrifying tales. Information: 303-832-4092.
Salem Witches, Oct. 21
Learn about an extraordinary series of events that took place in Salem, Massachusetts, and the hysterical community reaction known as the Salem Witch Hunt. Free event is in the Cherry Creek Library, 6-7 p.m. Reservations not required. Information: 720-865-0120.
Monsters & Legends, Oct. 24
From the vampires of Eastern Europe, to the stories of the Loch Ness monster, Big Foot, and more, Active Minds will explore the origins and history of familiar (and not so familiar) tales and how they have evolved and grown over time. Free event is at the Eugene Field Library on S. University Blvd. Reservations not required.
Pumpkin Patch Party, Oct. 24
On Havana Street event at The English Teacup where kids can decorate a mini pumpkin for free. There will be pumpkin scones and pumpkin tea. Information: 303-514-0958.
Boo At The Zoo, Oct. 25-26
The annual Boo at the Denver Zoo offers more than 25 trick-or-treat stations, creepy crawly animal demonstrations and exciting family-friendly entertainment under the canopy of fall foliage of the Denver Zoo. Activities are free with zoo admission. Information: 720-337-1400.
Halloween Party, Oct. 29
This YMCA event is for local kids with a costume contest, crafts, treats and a haunted house at the Glendale Sports Center, 5:30-7 p.m. Information: 303-639-4711.
Halloween BOO-lesque Show,
Oct. 29-31
Join the Clocktower Clockettes at Lannie’s Clocktower Cabaret as they pay a spooky burlesque tribute to all the thrills and chills of America’s spookiest holiday. You’ll see zombies, vampires, witches, black cats and even The Blob … scenes so frightening they’ll scare The Clockettes right out of their shirts! I
nformation: 303-293-0075.
Highland Haunt, Oct. 31
Free and open to the public on 32nd Ave. between Zuni and Clay, activities include trick or treating, a costume parade, piñata stations, cakewalk and live music, 11 a.m.-3 p.m. Information: highlandhaunt.com.
Spooky Walk & Howl-O-Ween Pet Costume Contest, Oct. 31
Event sponsored by On Havana Street offers free candy and prizes. Information: 303-514-0958.
Boneyard Garden Ghosts, Oct. 31
Enjoy Victorian tea service and delve into Victorian Halloween traditions, costumes and games at the suitably spooky and quite possibly haunted Molly Brown House, tea served at 11 a.m. and 2 p.m. Information: 303-832-4092.
Coloween, Oct. 31
Coloween is one of the most anticipated Denver Halloween parties. You can choose from parties at City Hall and The Curtis Hotel, among the wildest costume parties in the city. Information: 303-937-9365.
Halloween Costume Ball, Oct. 31-Nov. 1
Live Halloween entertainment and great DJs plus a $1,000 “Best of The Ball” costume contest. The Ball is in the Grand Ballroom of the historic Sherman St. Event Center, 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Information: 720-319-8441.
Dracula, Oct. 31-Nov. 2
Colorado Ballet again presents a special Halloween presentation of Dracula at the Ellie Caulkins Opera House. Spine tingling would be an understatement for how this thrilling performance based on Bram Stoker’s gothic horror will leave you feeling. Portrayed through dance, Dracula will reveal passion, seduction and elegance in a way that the book cannot. Information: 303-837-8888.
by Mark Smiley | Aug 1, 2014 | Uncategorized
(BPT) – Summer temperatures can be notoriously hard on your car. Whether it’s a summer road trip or your daily commute to work, you could potentially find yourself stranded on the side of the road with an overheated engine or driving with no air conditioning. While you can’t prevent normal wear and tear on your vehicle, it is possible to take preventive measures to protect your car from unfortunate and inconvenient break downs. Here are some simple maintenance tips for you to keep your car cool before the temperatures get any higher.
Check the air conditioning (AC) – Ideally you should have the air conditioning in your 
vehicle checked before the warmer months begin but chances are you didn’t notice your AC wasn’t blowing cold air until you turned it on for the first time. The key to keeping your AC working correctly is to ensure all the components are working and there are no leaks. These components include the compressor, condenser, evaporator, pressurized refrigerant, valves and hoses. Have your system inspected and make sure your technician or mechanic is trained and certified in diagnosing and repairing air conditioning systems. He or she should be looking for worn seals and o-rings, loose fittings, cracked or damaged belts and connections.
Refresh the fluids – Whether it’s a summer refresh or you’re getting the car out of storage for the first time this season, be sure to change the oil and the filter before you head out on the road. You should also and check other fluids such as transmission, steering, coolant and brake fluid that may either need replacement or topped off.
Keeping it cool – If you haven’t checked your coolant levels recently, the general rule is to flush the radiator and add new coolant at least every two years. Consider using a radiator coolant additive, like Royal Purple’s Purple Ice, during hotter months. The high-performance radiator conditioner can be used with anti-freeze or straight water. Using Purple Ice will prevent overheating, keep the system clean and extend the life of the water pump.
Taking these simple steps to make sure your vehicle is in good working order during the hot summer months will allow you to enjoy your ride instead of sweating it out on the side of the road.
by Mark Smiley | May 27, 2014 | Uncategorized
I
nitial work — grading, installation of water mains, storm water, sanitary sewers and construction of new roads — is underway at Boulevard One, the Lowry neighborhood under development that was once the tail end of the historic Runway One at the former Lowry Air Force Base. Work was barely started when the Lowry Redevelopment Authority Board did an about face on plans to increase the amount of parking in the development. Instead of increasing parking to either two or 1.5 spaces per unit, the new code now only requires 0.75 or one space per unit. LRA also voted to include several “conditions” that will further modify the new development. They include an increase in lot coverage; an increase in heights; a decrease in setbacks plus decreasing the amount of parking.
The Lowry Redevelopment Authority is grading the Boulevard One site to create new roads and lots in the first phase of the residential site, south of First Avenue from Magnolia Street to Oneida Court. Five new streets are being graded and will connect to First Ave. They are Magnolia Street, Niagara Street, Newport Street, Oneida Street and Oneida Court. The First Avenue berm is being removed to accommodate the new streets.
Beginning in August overhead utilities on the south side of First Avenue will be removed, and new utilities buried. Then the south side of First Avenue will be improved, with a new sidewalk, street trees and bicycle lane.
The LRA is transplanting a number of mature trees from the First Avenue berm to the south side of First Ave. and to a new park within the Boulevard One site. The varieties include honey locust and Austrian pines. A full-time contractor is hand-watering existing trees throughout the Boulevard One site, including lindens, ash, crabapples, ponderosa pine, blue spruce and scotch pines. These trees will be either transplanted or kept in place. More than 2,500 new trees will be planted in parks and lawns at Boulevard One.
Approximately 130,000 cubic yards of soil is being graded and stockpiled near the center of the Boulevard One site. The stockpiled soil will fill the hole left by the former Defense Finance & Accounting Service Center building. A pavement-recycling program was started in April. There are about 24 acres of roads, parking lots, tennis courts and tarmac on the site. About 54,000 tons are being recycled near Lowry Blvd. and reused as road base and parks materials. More than 16 tons have been recycled to date. Finally, approximately 80 lots for single-family detached homes are being created. Information: 303-326-7102.
