by Mark Smiley | Jan 24, 2020 | Valley Gadfly
This month is one of those rare times when there are 29 days in February instead of 28. A leap in time when the calendar is adjusted to make up for extra seconds accrued over the preceding three years due to the rotation of the earth. Given it’s also Valentine’s month, we have to ask: Will you or won’t you? Should you or shouldn’t you?
According to an old Irish legend, St.
Brigid struck a deal with St. Patrick to allow women to propose to men — and
not just the other way around — every four years.
To help you make the leap— be it love or
business — here are our choices for shopping, dining and entertainment to make
you feel all warm and lovey-dovey:
3 Leap
at the chance to see some of the 43 films at the Jewish Film Festival playing
at the JCC’s Wolf Theatre, Feb. 5-19. Featured films include 16 Denver and six
Colorado premieres. Information: 303-316-6360.
3 You’ll
love the Colorado Ballet Auxiliary gala with dinner and an excerpt from Peter
Pan at The Ellie Feb. 6, 5-11 p.m. Information: 303-339-1640.
3 Celebrate
Valentine’s Day at Denver Botanic Gardens’ annual Love Potions from the Vine
tour Feb. 7-9 & 13-15. Information: 720-865-3500.
3 Just
for laughs, take your love to see stand-up comedian Phil Hanley perform at
Comedy Works Feb. 13-16. Information: 303-595-3637.
3 Experience
a leap in time at Mad Peaches Med Spa. Their skin care treatment solutions can
help reverse the effects of stress, genetics and lifestyle choices. For a
complimentary consultation: 303-474-4436.
3 No
matter how you slice-dice it, food and love are inseparably tied. Enjoy
Valentine’s Day at Glendale’s Jax Fish House Feb. 14, starting at 3 p.m. Happy
hour to 6 p.m., raw bar menu all night. Information: 303-756-6449.
3 Jazz
up leap year to jazz group Halo-Halo fronted by soprano Caitlin Gilmore at the
Tuft Theater Feb. 22, 8 p.m. Information: 303-777-1003.
3 Launch
your leap year garden at the Colorado Garden & Home Show at the Convention
Center Feb. 22-March 1. Information: 303-932-8100.
3 The
epic and poetic nature of music and lyrics always seems to conjure up feelings
of romantic emotion. The Colorado Symphony plays the most romantic music in the
orchestral repertoire at Boettcher Concert Hall, Feb. 14, 7:30 p.m. Titled A
Symphonic Valentine, the evening features soprano Laquita Mitchell who brings
her rich, expressive vocal to works from Schicchi and Tchaikovsky’s ballets.
Information: 303-623-7876.
Every four years, thanks to a quirk of the
earth’s orbit and the combined efforts of Roman Emperor Julius Caesar and
16th-century Pope Gregory XIII of Gregorian Calendar fame, we must add an extra
day at the end of February to create a leap year. Without the extra day every
four years, we would lose almost six hours every year.
Use the extra day to do something daring,
extraordinary and dissimilar from what you usually do. Take a chance and shape
an adventurous, distinctively different day.
A German proverb predicts that leap years
will be cold. This month between two and nine-inches of snow falls in Denver in
half the years. The Old Farmer’s Almanac sums it up thusly: “New snow and blue
toes. Fine and dandy for Valentine candy. Snow spittin’; if you’re not
mitten-smitten, you’ll be frostbitten! By jing-y feels spring-y.”
—
Glen Richardson
The Valley Gadfly can be reached at
newspaper@glendalecherrycreek.com.
by Valley Gadfly | Dec 16, 2019 | Valley Gadfly
With every New Year comes a clean slate so the question becomes what do we do with this fresh start? Everyone from poet-singer Maya Angelou and Oprah Winfrey to Winston Churchill have offered words of inspiration. Even William Shakespeare motivates us to focus on all the positive opportunities that a New Year will bring.
T. S. Eliot, the Nobel Prize poet and
editor-publisher, said it best: “Last year’s words belong to last year’s
language and next year’s words await another year.”
Here are our choices for shopping, dining
and entertainment to help you approach this New Year with resolve to find the
opportunities hidden in each new day:
3 Don’t
hesitate, Escape to Margaritaville playing at the Buell Theatre through Jan. 5.
The musical comedy features the original songs and the most-loved Jimmy Buffett
classics. Information: 303-893-4100.
3 Untangle
the beauty and mystery of the New Year at Denver Botanic Garden’s Orchid
Showcase Jan. 9-Feb. 16. Information: 720-865-3500.
3 Kickstart
the New Year by kicking up your heels at the annual National Western Stock Show
& Rodeo Jan. 11-26. Information: 303-296-6977.
3 Blast
into the year to the lights, sound, smoke and screaming fans at Hairball
playing at the Paramount Jan. 18. Information: 303-623-0106.
3 Get
the New Year off to a roaring start by building a banking relationship at
Sunflower Bank. Attention and financial guidance have made them the largest
Denver headquartered bank. Information: 303-297-0333.
3 This
is the year for youngsters to get their Rugby On. Glendale’s Youth Rugby
programs invite all players to develop rugby skills while also practicing
teamwork and sportsmanship. Information: 303-639-4713.
3 For
a Black & Bluegrass blast join Temple Emanuel in honoring Rabbi Joe Black’s
10 years Jan. 25, 7:30 p.m. Information: 303-388-4013.
3 Dance
into the year at Neverland as Colorado Ballet presents Peter Pan at the Ellie
Jan. 31-Feb.9. Information: 303-837-8888.
3 Dig
into the New Year by getting a free tree application from Denver Digs Trees
through Feb. 14. The nonprofit offers 10 tree varieties free and/or at reduced
cost for planting on private property and the public right-of-way. The tree
distribution and sale is on April 23. To complete an application or get more
information, including tree varieties, visit TheParkPeople.org. or call
303-722-6262 for a free paper application.
January is the kickstart month of the year
and home to Capricorn and Aquarius zodiac signs. Because it is the first month
of the year it sets the tone for the remaining 11 months. It always seems to us
that there’s a freedom that comes with January. It is positively a month for
passion while also reminding us of the value of nostalgia.
As we enter the roaring ’20s, whether it
will turn out to be the razzle-dazzle year many are predicting will depend a
great deal on what each of us brings to the New Year.
There’s debate about when the old decade
ends. Some say this decade ended Dec. 31, 2019, and the new one started Jan. 1,
2020. Others say the new decade doesn’t start until Jan, 1, 2021; the old one
ends on Dec. 31, 2020. What we know for sure is a New Year’s resolution is
something that goes in one year and out the other.
—
Glen Richardson
The Valley Gadfly can be reached at
newspaper@glendalecherrycreek.com.
by Valley Gadfly | Nov 22, 2019 | Valley Gadfly
“Candles burning low, lots of mistletoe,
lots of snow and ice everywhere we go.” Those were the words that made Stevie
Wonder a miracle of popular music. This is the season when words set to music
melt our hearts. Thus as this year — seemingly more than any other — comes to
an end, “We’ll take a cup of kindness yet, for Auld Lang Syne.”
As we bid farewell to 2019 and turn our
thoughts to 2020, we reflect on the year just past and ponder what to change
about ourselves, our lives and our community.
Here are our choices for shopping, dining
and entertainment to fill the holidays with food, fun and good fortune plus an
auspicious New Year full of kindness yet:
3 See
a live-action adaptation of the beloved children’s tale How The Grinch Stole
Christmas as he comes down from his mountaintop home to DCPA’s Buell Theatre
stage Dec. 3-8. Information: 303-893-4100.
3 Attend
this year’s Jewish Family Services Winter Soiree honor event at Infinity Park
Event Center Dec. 5, 6 p.m. Information: 720-428-4633.
3 Take
the kids for sandwiches and treats at the Oxford Hotel Dolls’ Tea with ballet
recital Dec. 8, 11 a.m. and 2 p.m. Information: 303-628-5400.
3 Wear
a tacky sweater for the Christmas Sweater 5K run-walk at Wash Park Dec. 15, 9
to 11 a.m. Information: coloradorunnersevents.com.
3 For
a relaxing weekend break from the busy holiday shopping season go to Denver’s
original brunch spot since 1971, the Bull & Bush Brewery. Brunch served
from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Information: 303-759-0333.
3 For
your holiday travel needs and great gifts go to Colorado’s top luggage store
for nearly 40 years, Paradise Baggage. Select from premium travel luggage
that’s both sensible and stylish. Information: 303-320-4646.
3 Allow
the Colorado Symphony to march you into 2020 playing polkas, waltzes and
marches at Boettcher Dec. 31. Information: 303-893-4100.
3 Then
go to the 16th St. Mall to see New Year’s Eve Fireworks synced to music to
sparkle the city, 9 p.m. and midnight. Information: 303-233-8837.
3 Don’t
miss Denver Botanic Gardens’ signature holiday event for three decades, the
Blossoms of Light now through Jan. 3. The holiday extravaganza transforms the
York Street site into a twinkling winter wonderland. There are fresh and
exciting new features this year including a 360-degree immersive light
experience along with each year’s fun fan favorites, 5-9 p.m. Information:
720-865-3500.
Beyond diet and workout pledges, as the
ball drops and we pop champagne with family and friends, remember the New Year
stands for change. As we sing the Old Scottish folk song Auld Lang Syne, we
hope the nuance of the song’s message resonates with us even if most of us
don’t know the lyrics or even the song’s name.
As we pass the moments before midnight,
consider 2020 as an opening to replace this year’s social media bitterness and
hatred with brimming cups of kindness.
The song’s rhetorical question suggests, “a
cup o’ kindness” should be had in order to look back on the past and begin to
build for the future. It will make life so much better for family, friends and
those around us “for the sake of old times.” It is a chance to spark new
friendships and rekindle those we’ve allowed to fade. Happy New Year!
—
Glen Richardson
The Valley Gadfly can be reached at
newspaper@glendalecherrycreek.com.
by Valley Gadfly | Oct 28, 2019 | Valley Gadfly
Ahhh, turkey, stuffing and pumpkin pie!
This month marks a few key holidays like Veterans Day and of course
Thanksgiving. It’s also the month for yearly elections plus voting for
President every four years. But there’s more to the month than elections and
holidays, November is also known as the best movie month of the year.
Turkey Day is one of our most cherished
holidays. Between spending time with family and friends, eating delicious food
and shameless naps, there’s so much to love.
Here is our cuddling, comfort food, family
and friend choices for shopping, dining and entertainment to keep cozy fires
a-burning so hearths never grow cold:
3 Beyond
the bounty of food and football, kick Thanksgiving off by seeing Curious
Theatre’s production of The Thanksgiving Play, Oct. 31, 7:30 p.m. It’s a
wickedly funny parody. Information: 303-623-0524.
3 Attend
Anti-Defamation League’s Torch of Liberty Dinner honoring the Chotin family at
the Seawell, Nov. 6, 6 p.m. Information: 303-830-7171.
3 See
season’s latest fashions at National Jewish Health Fashion Show at Mercedes
Benz of Denver, Nov. 7, 6 p.m. Information: 303-728-6546.
3 Support
VOA’s Service With Style Luncheon being held at the Halcyon Hotel in Cherry
Creek, Nov. 15, 11 a.m. Information: 303-297-0408.
3 Make
Thanksgiving easier and better with reservations at the Monaco Inn Restaurant.
Enjoy family and friends while relishing turkey or a half-dozen other choices
12-6-p.m. Information: 303-320-1104.
3 See
the surprising splendor of urban scenes this holiday season at the Robert
Anderson Gallery, Nov. 6-Dec. 31. The images can also be seen at the Artist
Reception Nov. 8, 5-8 p.m. Information: 303-257-0648.
3 Enjoy
the superb jaw-dropping talent, choreography of World of Dance Live at the
Bellco Theatre, Nov. 18, 8 p.m. Information: 303-228-8260.
3 Attend
Women With A Cause’s gala “We Are Thankful” fundraiser at the Four Seasons
Denver Nov. 23, 6 p.m. Information: 303-675-0405.
3 Get
into the holiday spirit by attending this year’s L’Esprit de Noel, Nov. 21-23.
This is Central City Opera Guilds’ 43rd year hosting the home tour. The tour is
in the architecturally diverse University Park neighborhood near the DU campus.
Florists-table designers decorated the homes to give you new ideas for your
home. Funds support Central City Opera programs. Hours are 10 a.m.-4 p.m.
Information: 303-292-6500.
Now that the autumn is nearly over and
winter is kicking in with its cold weather and snowy landscapes, people tend to
feel peculiar. You’re either cold or getting a cold. November is a whole bunch
of mixed feelings. The Valley’s weather is often mild and beautiful,
nonetheless, the month comes with its dreariness and loneliness.
The 45th of November will never come nor
the clock strike 26:10, but fear not the month’s challenges bold, we’ve books
and friends and hearths that never grow cold.
It’s easy to get caught up in the plentiful
food and movie marathons, but Thanksgiving is really about giving thanks.
Despite lacking a musical repertoire, holiday music soothes tensions, brings us
together. With rock tunes like Groovy Gravy and Jive Turkey, do you know what
music Pilgrims preferred? Plymouth Rock.
—
Glen Richardson
The Valley Gadfly can be reached at
newspaper@glendalecherrycreek.com.
by Valley Gadfly | Sep 20, 2019 | Valley Gadfly
In September we escorted/pushed kids back to school, while
November and December bring major holidays and added stress. Thus October has
become everyone’s favorite fall month. Halloween, crunchy leaves and football
add to our enjoyment. Moreover this is the fall month that encourages us to
relax and find our inner kid.
It’s finally time for cozy sweaters, carving smiles into a
thousand pumpkins, beer festivals, soft pretzels, tasty bratwurst and
outlandish Halloween parties.
Here are our eerie, spooky, hair-raising, spell-binding
choices for shopping, dining and entertainment for a mellow, messy,
leaf-kicking perfect send-off to fall:
3 Catch the
spell-binding opening of the Colorado Ballet season as it performs Don Quixote
at the Ellie, Oct. 4-13. Romantic work features stunning Spanish sets and
costumes. Information: 303-837-8888.
3 See rugby
teams from 12 nations vie at the USA Women’s Sevens at Infinity Park Stadium,
Oct. 5-6. Information: usawomens7glendale.com.
3 Attend
Safehouse’s signature Hope Gala Oct. 12 with entertainment and a buffet dinner
at the Ritz-Carlton, 6 p.m. Information: 303-302-6126.
3 Get the
flavor of fall at Project Angel Heart’s A Taste For Life at the Hyatt
Convention Center Oct. 17, 6-10 p.m. Information: 303-407-9420.
3 Make your
home sparkle for this holiday’s expected and unexpected company with custom
drapery and Roman shades from Cherry Creek Shade & Drapery on E. 6th Ave.
Information: 303-355-4223.
3 Carve-out
Thanksgiving Day plans early by making reservations for your family and friends
to dine at the Monaco Inn Restaurant. Traditional holiday choices, serving 11
a.m.-6 p.m. Information: 303-320-1104.
3 Make the
season special by going to the annual Fall Chili Cookoff at Joy’s Wine &
Spirits Oct. 20, noon to 4 p.m. Information: 303-744-6219.
3 See the sole
U.S. exhibit of the landmark Claude Monet exhibit The Truth of Nature at the
DAM, Oct. 21-Feb 2. Information: 720-913-0130.
3 For
devilishly divine diversion catch some of the 250 blockbuster films showing at
the Denver Film Festival, Oct. 30-Nov. 10. There’s a red-carpet opening Oct. 31
at the Ellie Caulkins Opera House followed by an opening-night party at the
McNichols Bldg. Many of the films are being shown at the Sie FilmCenter and UA
Pavilions, other venues plus two more screening at the Ellie. Information:
720-281-0813.
Ah, fall — there are so many reasons to totally love the
season: The weather is just about perfect, which makes it absolutely ideal for
heading to the pumpkin patch. Jeepers Creepers, just about everyone enjoys
decorating pumpkins and dressing up in bizarre costumes for all the Halloween
parties (especially the kids).
Irish-Scottish immigrants brought All Hallows Eve (Halloween
in the U.S.) here so we all need to send a silent thank you to our ancestors
for the spooky gift.
Whether parties, marathon horror movies or the wonders of
nature, October is about enjoying the last waning days before the onslaught of
the holidays and New Year’s resolutions. As L.M. Montgomery wrote in Anne of
Green Gables, “I’m so glad I live in a world where there are Octobers.” This
month if you’ve got it, Haunt It!
— Glen Richardson
The Valley Gadfly can be reached at
newspaper@glendalecherrycreek.com.
by Valley Gadfly | Aug 23, 2019 | Valley Gadfly
It’s hard to believe that September is here: A new school
year is underway along with plenty of fall fun. This month is chock full of
great activities indoors and out to celebrate the changing of the seasons. It
is better to forget that the days are getting shorter and nights chillier so
you’ll enjoy the sight as leaves begin changing colors.
Green slowly gives way to reds, oranges and yellows,
creating brightly colored trees. September will certainly try its best to help
us forget this summer’s heat wave.
Here are our colorful fall choices for shopping, dining and
entertainment so pumpkin pies and cozy September songs swing us on a slow slide
into winter:
3 Jump into
fall by rappelling down the 38-stories at the Hyatt Regency Convention Center
to raise money for the Cancer League. The Over The Edge fundraising event is
Sept. 5-7. Information: 303-534-4317.
3 Swing, sway
into September seeing the legendary musical Miss Saigon playing at the Buell
Theater, Sept. 10-22. Information: 303-893-4100.
3 Make it a
September to remember at Denver Jazz Fest in the DCPA Complex downtown Sept.
13-16. Information: 303-882-6693.
3 Slip into
the cool season at the Bridge Project’s Wine, Stein & Dine benefit at the
Cable Center Sept. 14, 5 p.m. Information: 303-871-2651.
3 As summer
turns to fall, make the month of September your turning point by joining the
Glendale Sports Center. No contracts or joining fees to enjoy sports, art,
music and dance. Information: 303-639-4711.
3 Hey hey hey,
you’ll sing every day dining for breakfast-lunch at Morning Story. The dazzling
décor dances the clouds away so you’ll come back. Do remember it’s in the
Leetsdale Center. Information: 303-577-9050.
3 Join
Leukemia & Lymphoma Society’s annual Light The Night Walk fundraiser in
Wash Park Sept. 26, 5:30 p.m. Information: 720-440-8620.
3 Bookmark
Sept. 28 for the Shakespeare themed Booklovers Ball dinner-dance at Denver
Public Library, 6:30 p.m. Information: 720-865-2051.
3 Soar to new
heights this September by attending Warren Village’s annual Taking Flight Gala
being held at the Ritz-Carlton downtown. The Sept. 28 evening begins at a
cocktail reception with open bar. Attendees will also enjoy a gourmet seated
dinner, a live and silent auction plus live entertainment, 6-11 p.m. All
proceeds from the gala will benefit the families at Warren Village.
Information: 303-321-2245.
There’s something about this month that causes us to look
back and reflect. Maybe it’s the change of the seasons, the loss of the warmth
of summer or that long, slow slide toward wintertime. Nevertheless, there
always seems to be a certain mix of wistfulness, nostalgia and reflection that
is unlike any other month of the year.
September is when the sun takes a step back, leaves begin to
lull themselves to sleep as autumn awakens. It’s the second spring when every
leaf becomes a flower.
Earth, Wind & Fire’s September is this month’s grooviest
song due to its rhythm and lilt. The four chords in the chorus just keep moving
forward and never land anywhere, much like the four seasons. It’s the end of
summer, the beginning of fall and transition from warm to cool. Ba de ya, say
do you remember stars stole the night away?
— Glen Richardson
The Valley Gadfly can be reached at newspaper@glendalecherrycreek.com.
