by Valley Gadfly | Nov 21, 2014 | Valley Gadfly
Don we now our gay apparel for holiday merrymaking. This is the season to be jolly: Fa la la la, la, la, la, la. Now garish tinsel! Now latkes! Now cider and punch! On cocoa! On toasty holiday drinks! This is not the season for subtlety. This is the season for good old-fashioned family fun, whether festive Christmas lights or eight nights of lights.
The music to Deck the Halls is believed to be Welsh in origin and reputed to have come from a tune called “Nos Galan” dating back to the 16th century.
Here are our holiday jingle, mingle and mix choices for shopping, dining and entertainment to fill the season with joy and deck out the blazing Yule before us:
3 Catch the Valley’s all-time family-fave holiday production, Colorado Ballet’s Nutcracker featuring dazzling costumes and onstage blizzards. Shows are at the Ellie, Nov. 29-Dec. 27. Information: 303-837-8888.
3 Dash over to Sixth Avenue United Church to view and buy ceramics and jewelry at the Denver Potters Show, Dec. 4-7. Information: 303-377-5535.
3 The hot cider and cookies will be delightful during Paulino Gardens Christmas Open House, Dec. 5-7. There’s great gift ideas plus daily drawings for poinsettias and gift certificates. Information: 303-429-8062.
3 View “When Wishes Come True,” the Arts at Denver holiday show with an Encore reception Dec. 5, 5-8 p.m. Information: 303-722-0422.
3 Enjoy Colorado Hebrew Chorale’s Hanukkah Concert with candle lighting and food at Four Mile Park Dec. 18, 6:30 p.m. Information: 720-865-0815.
3 Feast in The Weber at the Inn at Cherry Creek featuring special Christmas (Dec. 24-25) and New Year’s Eve menus. Information: 303-377-8577.
3 Slip into the Roaring ’20s and flap into the New Year at the White Rose Gala in the Ellie, Dec. 31, 9 p.m. to 2 a.m. Information: 303-321-4304.
3 For a crackling New Year’s Eve take in the spectacular fireworks along the 16th Street Mall, 9 p.m. and midnight. Information: 303-534-6161.
3 Celebrate the season in Victorian fashion with the family during A Colorado Christmas at Four Mile Historic Park, Dec. 14, 12-4 p.m. Holiday-themed activities include traditional games plus arts and crafts. Learn the history of Christmas in the Cherry Creek Valley while visiting Father Christmas. There will be roasting chestnuts and families can help decorate the Four Mile Tree. Information: 720-865-0800.
The air is crisper, Jingle Bells can be heard on the streets, holiday wreaths top buildings and the Valley’s business districts are twinkling with festive lights. From the rich history anchored in the holiday hustle and bustle on Larimer Square, to the glow of frosty window displays in Cherry Creek, the season is always a rich mix of holiday life.
Cherry Creek and the Mall were once the crown jewel for holiday shopping. Will holiday magic miraculously brighten the district’s construction-damaged image?
Enjoy the month in merry measure, while I tell of Yule time treasure: Peace on Earth, Goodwill to Men, and Batteries not included! As you take pleasure in hot buttered rum, don’t forget to share with loved ones. Nor be surprised if Deck the Halls sneaks its way into your head. ’Tis the season to jingle, mingle and mix: Fa la la la, la, la, la, la.
— Glen Richardson
The Valley Gadfly can be reached at newspaper@glendalecherrycreek.com.
by Valley Gadfly | Oct 24, 2014 | Valley Gadfly
If we take the time to lay it on the line akin to the lyrics in the Guns ’N’ Roses song November Rain, we’ll be way too full to go walkin’ in the rain following Thanksgiving dinner. It is the Meal of the Year and never comes in a Limited Edition. By the time we’ve finished feasting we’ll have likely eaten an entire week’s grocery list.
Thus be thankful that if those clothes fit a little too snug it’s because we’ve had enough to eat. And cleaning up the mess just means we’ve been surrounded by friends.
Here are our choices for shopping, dining and entertainment that will translate into long-term memories filled with copious amounts of food and fun — Gobble, Gobble:
3 Get in the holiday mood during the Denver Assistance League lunches, brunches and boutique shopping events to raise funds and open the festive season in the Bosworth House, Nov. 5-9. Information: 303-322-5205.
3 Volunteer to participate in the annual Thanksgiving Outreach to feed the homeless downtown Nov. 8, noon-6 p.m. Information: 303-893-8363.
3 Enjoy a bit of holiday history during Living History Day at Four Mile Historic Park Nov. 9, noon-3 p.m. Pan for gold, sample a treat cooked on a wood stove, take a horse-drawn wagon ride. Information: 720-865-0800.
3 Rock into the season by viewing photos of the Legends Of Rock at the Robert Anderson Gallery, Nov. 14-Jan. 3. Information: 303-388-1332.
3 Go holiday styling to the VOA fashion lunch honoring Mariel’s Denise Snyder at the Pinnacle Club Nov. 14, 11 a.m. Information: 720-264-3333.
3 Celebrate a luscious Thanksgiving dinner with roasted turkey and six other choices at the Monaco Inn, 11 a.m.-6 p.m. Information: 303-320-1104.
3 Here’s a brilliant idea, see stunning jewelry by Cartier on display in the Denver Art Museum, Nov. 16-March 15. Information: 720-865-5000.
3 Sample French wines, entrees and desserts plus music during Beaujolais & Beyond at McNichols Nov. 20, 5:30 p.m. Information: 720-443-1763.
3 Viewing the dazzling decor during the annual L’Esprit de Noel holiday home tour and Marche de Noel is always a Valley holiday highlight. Presented by the Central City Opera Guild, this year’s event tours five homes in the Glenmoor Country Club Nov. 14-15, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. There’s a patron party in the clubhouse Nov. 13, 6-9 p.m. Tickets are available at all King Soopers. Information: 303-292-6500, ext. 114.
Out of all the holidays, Thanksgiving is particularly steeped in tradition. It is about remembering the kindness of strangers, unforgettable acts of generosity, hilarious tales of cooking misadventures. It’s nice to think back on memories that put a smile on our face: Mom’s stuffing, the elegant wine and above all lump-free mashed potatoes.
It is a time to enjoy festive tablecloths, decorations and irresistible aromas in a home filled with food and spices and particularly the laughter of family and friends.
Ah, those aromas: Turkey, cranberries, candied yams, stuffing, mashed potatoes and pumpkin pie. But a life of rich fulfillment comes to those who are also thankful for the setbacks. Find a way to be thankful for your troubles, and they can become your good fortune. May you be blessed with family, friends and fond memories this Thanksgiving.
— Glen Richardson
by Valley Gadfly | Sep 29, 2014 | Valley Gadfly
This is the month of monstrous peril: Grave robbers, ghoulish experiments, scary costumed creatures and flickering jack-o’-lanterns. Halloween is outrageous and yet we love it. Like Frankenstein, through the gloom we see the “creatures” yellow eye open and its limbs begin to twitch. Each October we again become archetype mad scientists.
To enjoy Halloween you need a big imagination and a scary spirit. It captures something fundamental about our evil, suppressed rage and disturbing dark impulses.
Through troubling dreams of monster-haunted suspense, here are our choices for shopping, dining and entertainment to fill you with fearful fun and fairy tale fantasies:
3 Select monstrous pumpkins while enjoying fantastic fall family fun at the Pumpkin Harvest Festival in Four Mile Historic Park Oct. 4-5, 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Make crafts, dance to live music. Information: 720-865-0800.
3 Feast on mega stereo systems and latest headphone technology at Audio Fest in the Marriott Tech Center Oct. 10-12. Information: audiofest.net.
3 See 13 exciting new art sculptures being installed this month along Havana Street — 6th Ave. to Dartmouth. Information: 303-360-7505.
3 Catch the regional premiere of the family life drama The Outgoing Tide at Lowry’s John Hand Theatre, Oct. 10-Nov. 5. Information: 303-562-3232.
3 Being unnerved by your car’s slipping or leaking transmission? Don’t be spooked, take it into locally owned AAMCO Transmission on West Alameda for a maintenance special to unmask problems. Information: 303-462-2626.
3 Transport your taste buds to India and enjoy the exotic and authentic flavors at Little India. Information: 303-871-9777 or 303-298-1939.
3 Enjoy Colorado Symphony’s zany musical Spooktacular with costumed musicians at Boettcher Hall Oct. 26, 1 p.m. Information: 303-623-7876.
3 Sink your teeth into Colorado Ballet’s gothic horror drama Dracula playing at the Ellie Caulkins, Oct. 31-Nov. 2. Information: 303-339-1630.
3 Escape the Halloween funk for a night and take in the John Denver Tribute in the Buell Theatre at the DCPA Oct. 25, 7 p.m. Enjoy the music of John Adams and his nine-member band. The performance celebrates the Wilderness Act and features John Fielder’s wilderness photographs. He has chosen images to marry with 24 John Denver songs including Rocky Mountain High and Annie’s Song. Information: JohnFielder.com.
Most of us are fragile characters. Our ordinary thoughts can be grandiose and delusional. Truthfully we are often cowardly, fearful, spineless and weak. Yet during the Halloween season we are “galvanized” into sudden activity like a jolt of electricity. We develop a carnivorous appetite that is scary, stomach turning and spine chilling.
The shock is that this season can also be a quest to understand what life actually means. What makes human existence more than the low hum of an electrical connection?
Eek, this is the month when you can be “anything” you imagine. Maybe that is what this freakish, wacky season is all about: To remind us to be audacious, impulsive and daring and not get trapped in the everyday routine of our “normal” identity. Akin to Frankenstein inventing the safety match, this could be the time for striking successes.
— Glen Richardson
by Valley Gadfly | Aug 29, 2014 | Valley Gadfly
Hot, chic, typical, crazy, outrageous, amazing, innovative or tacky, fads and trends come and go and are the bookmarks of a certain time. As the hot weather slowly comes to a halt we’re feeling a bit contemplative about where to go and what to do. But autumn will fly by in a flash so take advantage of the crisp weather and fall foliage.
A fad, like food trucks, is a practice or interest that we follow for a period of time with exaggerated zeal. Strange as it may be, fads and trends reshape what we do.
So in the name of turning over a fall leaf, here are our choices for shopping, dining and entertainment to keep you as trendy as the hottest, latest outrageous fad:
3 Beautiful flowers never go out of style and the Dahlia is among the prettiest. See large arrangements on display at the Dahlia Society Show at Paulino Gardens, Sept. 6-7, 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Information: 303-429-8062.
3 For fab free fall fun take in the Cherry Creek East’s Jazz Concert in Pulaski Park Sept. 8, 6:30 p.m. Information: www.cherrycreekeast.org.
3 Zoom in on American West color photography at opening reception at Robert Anderson Gallery, Sept. 12, 5-8 p.m. Information: 303-871-0800.
3 To be safe attend the Public Safety Expo at South High’s parking lot with food and live music Sept. 13, 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Information: 720-210-4056.
3 Make a good night’s sleep more than a passing fad by trying better mattresses for a better price from the recently opened SleepNation in Century 21 Plaza on South Colorado Blvd. Information: 303-954-9435.
3 For fabulous weekend football brunch specials plus happy hour all day hang out at the Monaco Inn Restaurant. Information: 303-320-1104.
3 Hop, skip and jump with the kids as they crawl, trot and run the kid course at the Children’s Museum Sept. 21, 9 a.m. Information: 303-561-0104.
3 Start a trend by watching Latin, Mexican, & European films showing at CineLatino in the Sie FilmCenter Sept. 25-26. Information: 720-381-0813.
3 This month’s hottest, hippest stage show is Grace playing at the John Hand Theatre, Sept. 4-27. This is a darkly funny, often hilarious, deadly serious and provocative play. Basically the story is an exploration of human assumption about how God, goodness, faith and causality operate. Performances are Thursday through Sunday plus a show on Monday, Sept. 27th. Information: 303-999-9143.
Whether we want to admit it or not we latch onto fads in fashion, pop culture, technology, and yes, even fads in foods. Every month it seems there’s a new “it” something. Smartphones, today’s mega technology trend, will likely seem ridiculous to people in 15 years. We’ll probably just have chips on wristwatches or in our heads.
Every eatery serves the latest craze — desserts with bacon, catfish croquettes, kiwi cocktails. But soon the fad fades, and the flavor of the week will settle into obscurity.
For fall fun get lost in a corn maze, go for a hayride or take a hot-air balloon ride. How about renting a cabin in the mountains or tailgating at football games? The latest wacky fad is banning automobile parking on city streets. You see cars are just a passing fad. Then again I’m going to start writing letters again once the email fad passes.
— Glen Richardson
by Valley Gadfly | Aug 1, 2014 | Valley Gadfly
Gee whiz it’s August already. Isn’t that just peachy-keen? That’s the Valley’s summer idiom for super duper and hunky dory! For residents it is the hey-day time of year full of joy, harmony and the taste of peaches. In addition to being the season when laziness finally finds respectability it also just happens to be National Peach Month.
It is also Happiness Happens Month so don’t tell the kids that August is Back to School Month. They’ll be cool just knowing August is the last of the summer months.
Here are our peachy-keen choices for shopping, dining and entertainment to keep you enjoying the birds and the trees and summer’s sweet scented summer breezes:
3 Like a juicy peach, you’ll enjoy the uplifting story with music that soars as Central City Opera brings The Sound of Music to the Ellie Caulkins Opera House Aug. 2-10, shows at 2 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. Information: 303-296-6700.
3 Celebration Community Garden’s 2nd Farm to Table Dinner will be as luscious and tasty as peaches Aug.9, 6:30 p.m. Information: 303-745-1148.
3 Your dog will be swell, dandy and spiffy during PetAid’s Woof Fest in Civic Center Park, Aug. 17, 12-6 p.m. Information: 303-318-0447.
3 Looking to spot a cool design idea? Attend the Architecture & Art Gala in the Design District Aug. 21, 4:30 to 8 p.m. Information: 303-777-6007.
3 You’ll be keen on the selection and prices for brand name designer frames and lenses at Optical Masters on South Monaco Pkwy. Their 25th birthday blowout sale is the real deal, banana peel. Information: 303-377-0751.
3 Grub is delicious, beer refreshing and the music uplifting on the Inn at Cherry Creek’s rooftop finale Aug. 22, 5 p.m. Information: 303-377-8577.
3 Honoring hometown heroes is a peachy keen thing so join Barnes & Noble as they honor Glendale’s heroes Aug. 23, 10 a.m. Information: 303-691-2998.
3 For a peachy twist, take the Urban Homestead Tour to see goats, chickens and bees raised in an array of spaces, 10 a.m. Information: 720-865-3580.
3 Everyone is coming from near and far on the sweet summer weekend of Aug. 15-17 to attend Glendale’s Rugbytown Sevens Tournament. It starts with Free Fan Friday. Stay in the game Saturday for Bruises & Brews to taste 15 craft beers. Then Sunday debuts the Taste of Glendale with 10 eateries serving, 12-4 p.m. Information: www.rugbytown usa.com/srs.
August rushes by like desert rainfall, a flood of frenzied commotion and mayhem. Even though expected, it still catches us unprepared. Like a match flame, it bursts on the scene with heat and stunning crimson sunsets. There is no such thing as bad weather in August, merely different kinds of weather. Open the window and let the air fill the room.
Clouds gather in small huddles to discuss the weather. It is the month when we take pleasure in a cool rain. The related wind braces us up for likely thunderstorms ahead.
The word “peachy” means fine or excellent and doubling it, makes it into a superlative by adding the word “keen” as a suffix. Kids have been using rhyming idioms since the 1930s: Remember: What’s the deal, Banana Peel? Or, What’s cookin’, good lookin’? To which we must ask, is it a peach pie? After all, I’m the boss, applesauce!
— Glen Richardson
The Valley Gadfly can be reached at newspaper@glendalecherrycreek.com.
by Mark Smiley | Jun 20, 2014 | Valley Gadfly
Oh, the simple joys of summer: It’s the season when we walk barefoot in the grass; we watch kids run through sprinklers and throw themselves with abandon onto Slip-and-Slides; and we wear straw hats, t-shirts, sundresses and sandals while eating ice cream. Our gloomy weather had us always saying, “Oh, heaven let your sun shine down.”
Something had to give to drive away our climate madness. Valley neighborhoods have been looking to the sky, wishing on a star and waiting for a brand new start.
Here are our choices for shopping, dining and entertainment to swing into summer enjoying an enlivening, relaxing time filled with ways to make days brighter:
3 Swing into summer on a high note as you enjoy live music in the fresh air at the Shady Grove Picnic Series in Four Mile Historic Park. Weekly series is on Wednesday evenings at 6:30 p.m. Information: 303-777-1003.
3 Yo ho, it’s hot! Cherry Creek Shade & Drapery offers shades to cool your home from the heat and cut energy bills. Information: 303-355-4223.
3 Light up your 4th at Four Mile Park’s Old Fashioned July 4th enjoying music, games and festivities, 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Information: 720-865-0800.
3 Unwind listening to Jayme Stone’s music stretched out on the lawn at the Clyfford Still Museum July 11, 5:30 p.m. Information: 303-777-1003.
3 Hit the pavement for sizzling summer deals offered by boutiques and businesses during the Cherry Creek North Sidewalk Sale July 17-20, 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Thurs.-Sat.; Sun., 11 a.m.-5 p.m. Information: 303-394-2904.
3 Striking, bright abstract photos make a splash at Robert Anderson Gallery show opening July 18 with reception 5-8 p.m. Information: 303-388-1332.
3 Sip, swing, dine and dance into summer at Alliance Française’s Bastille Day at Four Mile Park July 19, 5:30 p.m. Information: 720-865-0800.
3 Summer heats up with concerts, rodeos, a demolition derby and carnivals at the Arapahoe County Fair, July 24-27. Information: 303-795-4464.
3 Let the kids shine this summer with fun activities alongside engaging them in reading divided up into three age-appropriate themes. Summer reading programs are at all 25 Denver Public Library sites, July 1-Aug. 9. In addition to reading, workshops, craft making and musical entertainment are offered at various branches. Information: www.summerofreading.org.
Summer frolics like a happy child between innocent spring and melancholy autumn waiting for us to embrace her unbridled delight for life. Even while weeding, watering and harvesting there’s time for theatre, musical performances and outdoor barbeques. Or just closing your eyes and listening to the birds singing in the trees.
The secret is in slowing down long enough to notice the miracles that surround us. Watch and listen for those occasions and activities that encourage us to slow down.
It might be stretching out under a tree and allowing yourself to unwind on a dreamy day. Or taking time in the middle of a workday to sit on a park bench and notice the shapes of the clouds as they billow across the sky. George Gershwin’s musical lullaby said it best: “It’s summertime and the livin’ is easy and the fish are jumpin’.”
— Glen Richardson
The Valley Gadfly can be reached at newspaper@glendalecherrycreek.com.
