by Valley Gadfly | Nov 23, 2015 | Valley Gadfly
We’re always getting wrapped-up in the season’s glitter whether celebrating Christmas or Chanukah. That doesn’t mean that enjoying “home for the holidays” shouldn’t include a splash of holiday color. Beyond the tinsel, however, winter solstice is also a reminder to reconnect, share laughs and celebrate the joy of family.
Late dawn. Early sunset. Short days. Long nights. For those of us living in the Valley, this season’s solstice marks the longest nights and shortest days of the year.
Here are our astronomical choices for shopping, dining and entertainment so you and the sun can connect with the equinox to make your holiday season shine:
3 Denver Botanic Gardens’ Blossoms of Light is the perfect way to kick off the season. Lit-up through Jan. 2, the illuminated O’Fallon Perennial Walk & Romantic Gardens are back. Information: 720-865-3500.
3 Celebrate Chanukah enjoying food, music, storytelling and carnival games in the Rose Founders Bldg. Dec. 3, 11 a.m. Information: 303-320-2819.
3 For Ring-a-Ding entertainment see this musical review playing weekends at Lowry’s John Hand Theatre. Dec. 4-19. Information: 303-562-3232.
3 Delight in the magical adventures of toy soldiers, dancing snowflakes and Sugar Plum fairies as Ballet Ariel performs The Nutcracker at the Lakewood Cultural Center, with seven holiday performances in December. Information: 303-987-7845.
3 Celebrate the Solstice Season dining or giving private parties in the warm Italian ambiance at Shells & Sauce. Information: 303-377-2091.
3 Warm up with the kids and pets at the 5K chip-timed Arthritis Foundation Jingle Bell Run-Walk in Wash Park Dec. 13. Information: 720-644.4397.
3 Shop the Christkindl Market for German gifts and treats at Skyline Park on the 16th St. Mall now through Dec. 23. Information: 303-531-6161.
3 You’ll hear joyful, soul-soothing songs by making plans to take in the Valley’s favorite choral tradition, the St. Martin’s Chamber Choir Holiday Concert featuring the Christmas Oratorio Die Geburt Christi (The Nativity of Christ) by Heinrich von Herzogenberg (1843-1900). Modeled on the cantatas of Bach, it tells the Christmas story with choir, soloists and orchestra, and features adored German Christmas carols as the audience sings along. Enjoy the most soulful solstice music ever at Saint John’s Episcopal Cathedral Dec. 18, 7:30 p.m. Information: 303-298-1970.
Winter solstice is celebrated in the Valley with a variety of holidays. Christmas, of course, is the most prevalent. In addition there are Saturnalia, Korachun, Chanukah and Kwanzaa, among others. Solstice is always a signal to celebrate: A time of year to have fun enjoying endless activities as our bright sun shines even when it snows.
Catch the spirit: It’s beginning to feel a lot like the holidays! Shops in Valley neighborhoods are taking on a festive buzz, as storekeepers do a brisk business.
There’s a wonderland of sidewalk markets and eateries, plus clothing shops and bookstores decked out for the season. Families gather to sing, dance, exchange gifts and eat. Whether Christmas lights or eight nights of lights, may this solstice be sunny and bright so every wish comes true. It is the season, after all, that’s good for the soul!
— Glen Richardson
The Valley Gadfly can be reached at newspaper@glendalecherrycreek.com.
by Valley Gadfly | Nov 2, 2015 | Valley Gadfly
Ahh, Thanksgiving: A time to reflect on all that is good in our lives and express gratitude for it. A holiday to celebrate life properly stuffed with relevancy and technology. With an Internet connection and a search engine, anyone can be a top turkey these days. Furthermore, on the Web we can discover and learn new things.
Great gobblin’ gadgets: The @ sign is now the season’s symbol. In 1863 when Lincoln declared the holiday, photography was the most radical technology to be had.
Here are our source code choices for shopping, dining and entertainment to help you think technology, turkey and thankfulness while feasting on bits and bytes:
3 Cinema has championed some of the most awe-inspiring technologies in visual arts. See 200 titles during the Denver Film Festival at the Sie Film Center and at the Ellie, Nov. 4-15. Information: 303-595-3464.
3 You won’t see old tintypes but there’s a photo tribute to the Who at Robert Anderson Gallery, Nov. 6-Jan. 2. Information: 303-388-1332.
3 Enjoy pageantry, music and classic flair at Opera Colorado’s Aida playing Nov. 7-15 at the Ellie, 7:30 p.m., Sun. 2 p.m. Information: 303-698-2334.
3 Featuring a central location and select merchandise this year’s Mile High Holiday Mart is Nov. 13-15 at DU’s Gates Field House. The Junior League event is a shopping extravaganza. Information: 303-692-0270.
3 Whether you crave holiday choices or local favorites, the entire family can feast affordably at the Monaco Inn. Information: 303-320-1104.
3 Recycle the leaves gathering outside at the Cherry Creek Transfer Station 8 a.m.-2 p.m., weekends 11 a.m.-3 p.m. Information: 720-913-1311.
3 Keep those tech toys plus watches and autos charging with batteries from newly opened Battery Giant @ 6th and Grant. Information: 303-832-1454.
3 Make plans to take in the 39th edition of Central City Opera’s L’Esprit de Noel Nov. 20-21. Considered Denver’s signature holiday event, this Year’s walking tour will feature homes in Denver’s historic Country Club neighborhood beautifully decorated by local florists and table designers. The homes are in the area first developed as a residential neighborhood in the early 1900s. The earliest homes were built on Franklin Street. The tour features some of these historic homes, which have been updated for modern family lifestyles. Information: 303-292-6500, ext. 114.
This month you are likely thinking ahead about the details of your Thanksgiving Day. Whether you are making travel plans, emailing relatives about dinner reservations, or planning your shopping list and holiday meal, using your tablet can serve as one place to consolidate all needs and preparations to keep things organized and streamlined.
There’s talk today about how technology separates us. Families gather around the table to eat together but end up giving gadgets more attention than they do each other.
However using the technology can also bring us closer together. Skype and others give us the opportunity to talk face to face with friends and loved ones, no matter where they are in the world. With a wishbone, a backbone and a funny bone, people are leveraging tech devices to ease holiday stress versus using fowl language.
— Glen Richardson
The Valley Gadfly can be reached at newspaper@glendalecherrycreek.com.
by Valley Gadfly | Sep 25, 2015 | Valley Gadfly
Our expectation as we go outside for work or play this month — on, say, a haunting cloudy day with autumn leaves crunching underfoot — is the Valley’s mystical transformation into fall. It is an unnervingly freakish feel. Streets are filled with spooky people who by all appearances are enjoying a moonlight cemetery excursion.
The hootenanny of Halloween happenings kick-up as quickly as the fall foliage in offices, homes, street corners and paranormal parties producing ghoulish possibilities.
Here are our spine-chilling choices for shopping, dining and entertainment to ward off evil spirits, witches and monsters so you can sink your teeth into fall fun:
3 For a relaxing break from this month’s freakish Halloween events take in the music review Sondheim On Sondheim. Dazzling show plays weekends at the Cherry Creek Theatre, Oct. 2-25. Information: 303-800-6578.
3 Four Mile Park’s Pumpkin Harvest Fest is perfect spot to enjoy fall fun, foliage and music Oct. 3-4, 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Information: 720-865-0800.
3 Monumental paintings and lithographs by Fritz Scholder titled Super Indian are at the Denver Art Museum, Oct.4-Jan. 17. Information: 720-865-5000.
3 See musical story of a poet who keeps mythical creatures as pets as St. Martin’s Choir, Ballet Arts and Confluence String Quartet perform at St. John’s Episcopal Cathedral Oct. 9, 7:30 p.m. Information: 303-298-1970.
3 Enjoy top fun on Halloween and every Thursday and Saturday as the Bull & Bush offers King and Queen cuts of prime rib. Information: bullandbush.com.
3 City’s oldest remaining greenhouse City Floral welcomes the season with fun Fall Festival Oct. 17-18, 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Information: 303-355-4013.
3 Haunted by roof or storm damage to your home? Don’t freak out with spooky offers, contact Core Contractors. Information: 303-997-1559.
3 Delight in frightful fun while viewing fabulous fall foliage by taking the entire family to Denver Botanic Gardens’ newest event, Glow At The Gardens, Oct. 14, 21 and 28. There will be colorful pumpkin displays, luminaria-lined pathways and cocktail parties each evening, 6-9 p.m. Fall-themed activities, scary stories and scavenger hunts are included. All activities are built in to the admission price but there are separate costs for food plus a cash bar. A different musical group will entertain in the Glow Lounge each evening. Information: 720-865-3500.
Like humans, plants have different personalities and change their colors as Halloween looms. That’s why some have colorful masks while others don’t. Whether you have a big yard, live near a park or are a hop, skip and jump from downtown, observe and take pleasure in autumn’s parade of bright yellow, orange and red colors.
The cool waves of fall colors coupled with streets filled with costumed creatures create hypnotic and haunting surroundings that produce an eerie, frightening feeling.
Rustic architecture, tree-lined sidewalks and creepy characters make every street a Boo Boulevard. Expect haunted houses, tortured souls and spooky parties to cast a spell every “witch” way you turn. Enjoy carving out memories as well as carving pumpkins but with a monstrous 31 days of Halloween fun be sure to take a few “coffin” breaks.
— Glen Richardson
The Valley Gadfly can be reached at newspaper@glendalecherrycreek.com.
by Valley Gadfly | Aug 31, 2015 | Valley Gadfly
This will be a September to remember if summer’s mugginess soon dissipates into the crisp exhilaration of cooler temperatures and colorful leaves. To rephrase Earth, Wind & Fire’s September lines: Ba de ya, say do you remember life in September? Heading outside after the stultifying heat and rain of summer is a perk of autumn.
During fall the Cherry Creek Valley becomes a natural playground. It is a time to embrace the great outdoors as the refreshing autumn breeze begins to blow our way.
Here are our choices for shopping, dining and entertainment to kick those end of summer blues and fall into the Valley’s golden, cozy fall season:
3 You’ll harvest a belly full of laughs at the quirky, witty fall comedy playing at Lowry’s John Hand Theater on weekends this month. Shows are at 7:30 p.m., matinees 2 p.m. Sunday. Information: 303-562-3232.
3 The bridge to fall fun is the Greenway Foundation’s music and dinner gala at the 19th & Platte Historic Bridge Sept. 10, 6 p.m. Information: 303-455-7109.
3 See Indian dances, drum groups and more at DAM’s Friendship Powwow on Acoma Plaza Sept. 12, 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Information: 720-865-5000.
3 For a colorful fall fling attend Four Mile Park’s fall fundraiser with food, spirits and fun in the park Sept. 16, 5:30-9 p.m. Information: 720-865-0800.
3 Discover a happy, safe and fun early education environment for your kids this fall by attending the Grand Opening of the Primrose School at Colorado Station Sept. 19, 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Information: 303-757-7727.
3 Cook up fall feasts from menus at Seasoned Chef Cooking School’s Fall Harvest Food Class Sept. 23, 6:30-9:30 p.m. Information: 303-377-3222.
3 Gypsy Cattle Drive stomps out end of summer blues at grand finale Inn at Cherry Creek’s rooftop show Sept. 25, 5-9 p.m. Information: 303-377-8577.
3 Make this a September to remember by attending Denver Public Library’s month-long BrewHaHa events. It is a celebration of all things brewed from the delicious smell of a fresh cup of coffee, to the quiet conversations had over tea and the social scenes created around craft beer or kombucha, to the ideas that flow from a start-up collective. Learn more at any of library’s 26 locations around town and attend a series of special events, tasting and informational programs highlighting all things brewed. Information: denverlibrary.org/brewhaha.
We know it’s not an easy task to say goodbye to those carefree days of backyard BBQs, weekend strolls and late nights of patio lounging and pitchers of sangria, but it’s time to face the inevitable: With fall only weeks away and summer’s heat beginning to fade, now is the perfect time to get out and enjoy all our Valley has to offer.
Fall begins on Sept. 23 as the center of the sun crosses Earth’s equator. The days begin to get shorter and nights longer, especially noticeable at our higher altitude.
Ahh, one of the popular things to do in the fall is watch football games and cheer our favorite teams loudly! You’ve also gotta love seasonal drinks like pumpkin spiced lattes, apple cider and hot cocoa. Fall is a second spring when every leaf is a flower. Now, if money did in fact grow on trees this would truly be a September to remember.
— Glen Richardson
The Valley Gadfly can be reached at newspaper@glendalecherrycreek.com.
by Valley Gadfly | Aug 3, 2015 | Valley Gadfly
Weather-wise summer has so far been a one-note season conducted with equal parts humidity and rain. I’ve been stomping around the living room sipping iced coffee and swooning at rainstorms filled with hailstones followed by the debut of evening sunsets. Spellbinding and spectacular, her rhythmic tune has soaked up our free time.
“Hey, Hey, It’s about to go down.” The Summer’s Gone lyrics refers to the sun not rain. But our usually amiable summer months are about kaput as fall begins Sept. 23.
Here are our serene late summer choices for shopping, dining and entertainment to keep you cool, unflappable and dry whether the heat or a downpour hits you:
3 If you’re a wine aficionado and foodie chill out at the 7th Annual Cherry Creek North Food & Wine evening on Fillmore Plaza Aug. 8, 6-9 p.m. You’ll enjoy food from more than 20 eateries. Information: 303-394-2904.
3 Catch Lowry Foundation’s cool Artists in August show in the Rampart Medical Office Bldg. Aug. 9, 2-5 p.m. Information: 303-344-0481.
3 Allow your business to grow, adapt quickly in the just opened Premier Business Center in the Belcaro Place Bldg. Offers executive suites, meeting rooms plus skilled professionals. Information: 303-991-5865.
3 Warm up to the Chichester Romp as the Colorado Hebrew Chorale sings at the Hebrew Alliance Aug. 10, 7:30 p.m. Information: 303-355-0232.
3 Celebrate summer to Rodgers & Hammerstein’s show-stopping tunes by the Colorado Symphony at Boettcher Concert Hall, Aug. 15, 7:30 p.m. Information: 303-623-7876.
3 Rocky Mountain Jewgrass, Atomga and Southern Exposure close season’s Shady Grove Picnic Series Weds., 6:30 p.m. Information: 303-777-1003.
3 Unwind in fashion at Urban Nights Fashion Show benefiting Urban Peaks at Mile High Station Aug. 22, 8 p.m. Information: urbannightsdenver.org.
3 Catch the biggest Valley sports event of the summer season, the Serevi RugbyTown Sevens at Infinity Park in Glendale Aug. 14-16. A total of 17 teams are competing for a $10,000 purse including three national teams and five military branches. The games begin with a Free Fan Friday Aug. 14, 1-8 p.m. Then on Aug. 15 join fans and beer aficionados for Glendale’s Bruises & Brews Beerfest. It is being held just south of Infinity Park on the Festival Plaza Aug. 15, 12-4 p.m. The thrilling finals are Aug. 16, 12-5:30 p.m. Information: www.rugbytownusa.com/serevi.
Will summer shake its soggy slumber this month? The Old Farmer’s Almanac says this month “will be hotter than normal with above-normal rainfall.” The length of the day is decreasing. From the start to the end of the month the length of the day will decrease by 1.09 hours, implying an average day-over day decrease of 2.2 minutes.
Precipitation probability is most likely early in the month, occurring in 47% of days. Toward August’s end rainfall will only occur in about 39% of the days.
Even with a power nap after a long day in the office many of us have struggled to get comfortable due to the unusually high humidity. Weather prognosticators say the humidity will rarely drop below 12% this month and will reach as high as 96%. It has been a finicky yet pleasant summer. I hope you enjoy listening to the sound of rain!
— Glen Richardson
The Valley Gadfly can be reached at newspaper@glendalecherrycreek.com.
by Valley Gadfly | Jun 25, 2015 | Valley Gadfly
Aaah, summer — that long anticipated stretch of lazy, lingering days, free of responsibility and rife with possibility. It’s our permission slip to be lazy. Summer — the season when we take the time to do nothing and have it count for something. It is our opportunity to lie in the grass and count the stars or study cloud formations.
This is the season when we’re held in a hypnotic spell. The sheer force of summer’s presence mesmerizes us with splashes of serenity and solitude.
Here are our playful, carefree choices for shopping, dining and entertainment offering peace and tranquility to ensure you’ll have it made in the shade:
3 Enjoy the pleasant sounds of summer at Four Mile Historic Park on Wednesday evenings during the Shady Grove Picnic Series July 1-Aug. 19, 6:30 p.m. It’s melodic musical bliss. Information: 303-777-1003.
3 Hit the farmers’ market in Cherry Creek (Sat. and Wed.), City Park (Sun.) to fill your pantry with fresh produce. Information: 303-442-1837.
3 Step into summer by revolutionizing your home with imported tile and stone from CAPCO Tile & Stone. The largest locally based distributor is your stepping-stone to home beautification. Information: 303-759-1919.
3 Spend a day ambling among plants and pyramids during Elements Day at Denver Botanic Gardens July 16, 6-9 p.m. Information: 720-865-3501.
3 Enjoy harmonies by the Denver Municipal Band and Summit Brass Soloists at Gates Concert Hall, July 16, 7:30 p.m. Information: 303-871-7720.
3 Spend a day with friends trying on glamorous and crazy outfits at Cherry Creek North’s Sidewalk Sale, July 16-19. Information: 303-394-2904.
3 Warm up to the dog days of summer at the juried art show depicting dogs in the Niza Knoll Gallery, July 17-Aug.22. Information: 303-953-1789.
3 Settle back and unwind on the Inn at Cherry Creek’s Terrace during Summer Bluegrass & Grub, July 31, 5-9 p.m. Information: 303-377-8577.
3 Be spontaneous and travel to Paris for a summer night during the Alliance Française Soirée d’Été Benefit July 11, 7-11 p.m. The proceeds from the event in the Space Gallery on Santa Fe Drive support the organization’s cultural events and scholarships. Let loose, go dancing and bring back auction souvenirs or a Dream Trip to Paris. Information: 303-831-0304.
This summer began a little late; the weather was unsure whether it would install summer at all. Most days began in stops and starts of intermittent rain showers followed by a cloudburst. With summer in limbo for a while, everyone is hoping the mosquitoes got confused and forgot to be born, albeit unlikely with all of the rain.
Soaking up in the Valley’s natural summertime amphitheater invokes a sense of connection to the environment that is a one-of-a-kind experience.
There’s something about sunshine, long days and breezy nights that make us feel like anything is possible. Now’s the time to take chances, try new things and live life to the fullest. Take an evening walk without checking your smartphone. You’ll know summer is here when you no longer get wet feet but the asphalt is getting sticky.
— Glen Richardson
The Valley Gadfly can be reached at newspaper@glendalecherrycreek.com.
