Denver Direct: May 2012
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Thursday, May 31, 2012
Back to my gardening roots
I’ve finally returned to gardening, which was an oppressive burden in the days of my childhood. My Dad always insisted that my older brother and I help with the gardening in the community plots of Greenbelt, Md., about a mile from our house. It seemed an endless, hot, sweaty, boring task, especially because it meant we had to give up swimming that day.
Amazingly, when I visited with my nephew Robert Trumbule who now lives in Greenbelt, I discovered that by chance, he had the same plot as my Dad, some 50+ years later, and was unaware of the coincidence (or maybe he was putting me on).
Now that I have nothing but free time, I must admit I find gardening enjoyable, in a Zen kind of way, and am growing lettuce (too much), radishes, beets, beans, onions, tomatoes, cucumbers and spinach. Fits in with future sustainability concept as well. And there’s nothing like a really fresh salad with balsamic vinegar to eat while contemplating the ability of each seed to contain the blueprint for the delicious vegetable that is sustaining you.
Check you own (Colorado) voter status online and make changes
Confused by recent mailings and news articles about your status? The good news is that you can visit the Colorado Secretary of State's office and review and/or change your voter status. Once you're finished you can save it and it's done. Go HERE and get started.
1. Under View, click on "View my registration status".
2. On the right choose "Verify/update status".
3. Fill in your info and click on "Search".
4. You'll need to put in your driver's license number.
5. Make changes as needed.
6. Be sure to click on "Submit".
Go back later and see if it's been updated. Done. Be sure to actually vote!
Affordable Family Fun at the People's Fair! This weekend
This weekend marks the 41st anniversary of the CHUN Capitol Hill People’s Fair, and as always, much planning has been done to ensure that families have ample opportunity to enjoy the festival at an affordable price! Within the Kids and Family area located in TWO locations (in the interior of Civic Center Park and a Colfax and Broadway), there will be opportunities for free and low-cost family fun! Along with the traditional bubble tower, there will be free crafts projects courtesy of KOSI 101, Home Depot Home Services, the US Mint, Wings over the Rockies Museum and the Girl Scouts on the interior of the park near the Seal Pond. The People’s Fair non-profit showcase is nearby featuring exhibits from roughly 80 area nonprofit organizations, including several animal welfare groups. The Denver Dumb Friends League returns to the People’s Fair this year with their Mobile Adoption Vehicle (located on 14th Avenue near Bannock Street). Our People’s Fair carnival returns with inflatable bounce houses, obstacle courses, slides and other attractions as well as the highly popular quad bungee trampolines and a rock climbing wall. Carnival attractions are located in both Kids and Family area locations. People’s Fair tickets are available at the four main intersections of the park, as well as mid-Bannock, Mid-Broadway, and in the middle of the park. The tickets are good for food at the food courts, beverages at booths throughout the fairgrounds, and the carnival attractions, pony rides, zoo, and hamster balls. |
Wednesday, May 30, 2012
Report from the Street
Some years back I met a homeless man who was living across the street from the block I live on. I've gotten to know him over the years, and he is a reliable source of what is going on "on the street". He now lives in an apartment with the help of Denver's Road Home program. He knows all the players in my neighborhood.
When I spoke to him yesterday, he said that the homeless have moved into the halls and stairwells of his building to get off of the street. They are well aware of the new Unauthorized Camping law. This of course makes it unpleasant for the formerly homeless now living lawfully in these buildings, but they don't complain because they don't want to make waves.
Congratulations Mr. Mayor, problem solved.
Tuesday, May 29, 2012
Long live Gary Reilly!
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I "take a meeting" with potential producer Sheila Fortune and Gary Reilly. Note picture of Bob Dobbs on the table. |
Friday, May 25, 2012
On-line YouTube series
I've been hoping that this genre (episodic web shows) would improve, and these guys are actually getting there with The Grawlix. Good production values and filmed in Denver.
Thursday, May 24, 2012
Colorado MMJ Patients: Please Share
INC Community News May 23, 2012
Time: 10 a.m. - 3 p.m. (Park is open until 9 p.m.)Location: Elitch Gardens Theme & Water Park, 2000 Elitch Circle, Denver, CO 80204
Appropriate: All ages
Pavilion at City Park
Volunteers needed: we are looking for 15 to 20 volunteers to support our efforts at County Fair this year. We need help in setting up, cleaning up after the event, outreach to attendees, and a few other miscellaneous tasks. If you or someone you know would be willing to assist, please email us with your contact information, the time you would be available, and if you have any preference in your assignment.
Monday, May 21, 2012
City Park Jazz 2012 Schedule
Free Jazz Concerts in the Park
Date: Sunday, June 3, 2012
Time: 6 p.m.
Date: Sunday, June 10, 2012
Time: 6 p.m.
Date: Sunday, June 17, 2012
Time: 6 p.m.
Date: Sunday, June 24, 2012
Time: 6 p.m.
Sunday, May 20, 2012
NATO protest livestream now.
Friday, May 18, 2012
DENVER PARKS & RECREATION AND BIKEDENVER LAUNCH 2nd ANNUAL VOLUNTEER COURTESY PATROL
MEDIA ADVISORY
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Bicycle patrol to expand the reach of the Park Ranger program
DENVER, CO — Friday, May 18, 2011 – TOMORROW/Saturday at 9 A.M. at Confluence Park, Deputy Manager of Parks & Recreation Scott Gilmore, Executive Director of BikeDenver Piep van Heuven, and a group of Bicycle Courtesy Patrol Volunteers will launch the start of the program aimed at expanding the reach of the Park Ranger program and to help educate park users about basic park and trail safety rules and courtesies.
WHO: Scott Gilmore, Deputy Manager of Parks & Recreation
Piep van Heuven, Executive Director of BikeDenver
Bicycle Courtesy Patrol Volunteers
Denver Park Rangers
WHEN: TOMORROW – SATURDAY, May 19 @ 9 A.M.
WHERE: Confluence Park
VISUALS: Scott Gilmore and Piep van Heuven will lead the large group of Bicycle Courtesy Patrol Volunteers and Park Rangers on a program kick-off ride on the South Platter River Trail. The group will be in their patrol uniforms.
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Tuesday, May 15, 2012
Denver Steps Up Enforcement of Leash Law Violations in City Parks
- Berkeley Dog Park - Sheridan and West 46th
- Barnum Dog Park - Hooker and West 5th
- Kennedy Dog Park - Hampden and South Dayton
- Josephine Dog Park - Josephine and 16th Avenue
- Fuller Dog Park - Franklin and East 29th
- Green Valley Ranch East Dog Park - Jebel and East 45th
- Stapleton - East 24th Avenue and Syracuse Street
- Railyard Dog Park - 19th Avenue and Little Raven Street
- Lowry Dog Park - East 4th Place and South Yosemite Way
- Parkfield Dog Park – 53rd Ave and Chambers Road
Monday, May 14, 2012
McNulty still spinning
Apparently Rep Frank McNulty, (formerly?) House Majority leader, has 3 Republicans and 1 Democrat excused from this morning's Special Session. Is he still the Majority leader? And why is he still spinning (from Twitter at 10:30am)
If "zero citations and zero arrests", why do we need a new ordinance?
from the newsletter "Great 8" of Councilman Albus Brooks:
One of the issues that need to be looked at with a fresh perspective is unauthorized camping in Denver’s urban core. No matter where you stand on the proposed unauthorized camping ordinance, I hope that you share my compassion for the “least of these” in society and that you are willing to help me look for solutions. We can no longer live in a City where it is acceptable to let people live and die on the streets. We can no longer live a life where it is normal to drop a few coins in a cup and ignore the pain and brokenness of humanity. What City Council is proposing, with the support from the Mayor, is not a silver bullet to ending homelessness, but it is a step in the right direction. While “homes not handcuffs” is catchy on a button, the reality of this ordinance is that it is focused on connecting services to those who need them, not locking more people up. There is absolutely no data that supports the claim that we will place people who want services in jail. The data we have shows no citations or arrests stemming from the Sit and Lie ordinance that was adopted in 2005. In studying other municipalities, like that of Colorado Springs, they instituted the same unauthorized camping bill in 2009 and have had zero citations and zero arrests.
Sunday, May 13, 2012
Services, not just shelter, say homeless advocates
Discussing Denver's ban on “urban camping,” the police chief says nobody will be arrested just for being homeless; the city's homeless prevention program director says there's always some kind of shelter available; and an expert on homelessness says sustainable services cost less than temporary shelter.
Saturday, May 12, 2012
NEGATIVE IMPACTS OF AN “URBAN CAMPING BAN” IN DENVER
Ed. note: This thoughtful piece demonstrates why it would be fiscally irresponsible to pass such an ordinance. City Council had better think twice about passing this ordinance tomorrow.
by B.J. Iacino
Director, Education and Advocacy
Colorado Coalition for the Homeless
While we believe that no person should have to live on the streets to survive, and we share the goals of the city and business community to reduce homelessness on our streets, we have repeatedly urged city leaders to avoid policies that would criminalize homelessness.
Given the lack of adequate emergency shelter to meet the needs of our citizens in Denver, the lack of health, mental health, and substance treatment services for those experiencing homelessness, and the lack of adequate permanent supportive housing and affordable housing for those in need, creating an urban camping ban would criminalize survival activities for persons experiencing homelessness. This would essentially criminalize the status of being homeless even though there are no adequate or appropriate alternatives for them.
Such an effort would not only be unfair and shortsighted, it would also be counter-productive. It would force those without shelter into our neighborhoods and further out of sight. This would make outreach and engagement even more difficult. It would also negatively impact the quality of life in our neighborhoods as people without shelter would be hiding in alleys, dumpsters and cars throughout the city.
This ordinance would also increase costs to the city through increased citations, court costs, and jail days, essentially negating the efforts of the Crime Prevention and Control Commission to reduce jail days and system costs. It would also create additional barriers to housing and employment for those arrested for violating the ban, placing these real solutions further out of reach for these individuals.
Equally important, this proposed ordinance would divert our efforts from fighting to end homelessness to fighting efforts to criminalize homelessness.
Friday, May 11, 2012
What is the Meaning of the Camping Ban Ordinance to the Homeless and Denver's Neighborhoods?
News Release Contact: Larry Ambrose
May 11, 2012 (720) 490-1991
Saturday Forum on Camping Ban Ordinance
Sponsored by City-wide Denver Neighborhood Organization, INC
Inter-Neighborhood Cooperation (INC) will hold a public forum on Denver's proposed Camping Ban Ordinance as part of its monthly delegate meeting on Saturday, May 12, 2012, from 10:15 to 11:30 a.m. at the South Broadway Cop Shop, 407 S. Broadway (next to K-Mart, in the shopping center on the SW corner of Alameda and Broadway).
In a formal Resolution in April, INC had called on Denver City Council to postpone its May 7 vote on the controversial Camping Ban in order to give INC's member organizations time to study the complex issues surrounding the ordinance. The Council is now scheduled to vote on the issue on Monday, May 14. The forum program and participants are listed below:
INC Forum on Denver's Camping Ban Ordinance
Moderator Larry Ambrose, INC President
Panel: City Councilman, Albus Brooks
Commission on the Homeless/Denver's Road Home
Denver Police Department
Downtown Residents Organization
LoDo Neighborhood Assn. and Downtown Denver Partnership
Colorado Coalition for the Homeless
Occupy Denver
A Homeless Individual
Ballpark Neighborhood Assn.
Thursday, May 10, 2012
Imagine you live a block or two from a park where an event takes place.
by Dave Felice
Back to something completely different
Regular readers may remember my posting of Ginger Baker footage (here) and the story of Jay Bulgers's documentary film "Beware of Mr. Baker". Here's additional footage of Mr. Baker being a thoroughly nice guy while introducing us to his polo crew way back in 1996. I still haven't had an opportunity to see the documentary, but I'll be sure to mention it when I do. It won the Best Documentary Award at the SXSW Film Festival and I'm told that it contains about one minute of the footage that Clark Burch and I shot (out of the 7 hours that I sent them), and that we get a screen credit. Whoopee!
Tuesday, May 8, 2012
McNulty wins Fool on the Hill award
from Lynn Bartles tweets (last 30 minutes of House session ending at about 11:25pm 5/8/2012 - start at the bottom)
Editor's note.

BLOG ARCHIVE
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2012 (274)-
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May (34)- Back to my gardening roots
- Check you own (Colorado) voter status online and m...
- Affordable Family Fun at the People's Fair! This w...
- Report from the Street
- Long live Gary Reilly!
- On-line YouTube series
- Stay hip - metaphorically speaking
- Colorado MMJ Patients: Please Share
- INC Community News May 23, 2012
- City Park Jazz 2012 Schedule
- NATO protest livestream now.
- DENVER PARKS & RECREATION AND BIKEDENVER LAUNCH 2n...
- Denver Steps Up Enforcement of Leash Law Violation...
- Open Meeting Requirements of the Colorado Sunshine...
- McNulty still spinning
- If "zero citations and zero arrests", why do we ne...
- Services, not just shelter, say homeless advocates...
- NEGATIVE IMPACTS OF AN “URBAN CAMPING BAN” IN DENV...
- What is the Meaning of the Camping Ban Ordinance t...
- Colfax Marathon 2012 Saturday 5/12
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from House Minority Leader Ferrandino
Dear Supp...
- Imagine you live a block or two from a park where ...
- Back to something completely different
- McNulty wins Fool on the Hill award
- For those who think Occupy Denver isn't doing anyt...
- As if they had nothing to do
- Ruby Hill - A Jewel Of A Park Or A Crown Of Thorns...
- Councilman Brooks at the Denver Dems Spaghetti Din...
- Colorado Sen. Mike Johnston "gets it".
- There Are 24 Empty Houses for Every Homeless Perso...
- Controversial telecommunications bill loses in com...
- Five Points Business District Monthly Community Ac...
- Phil Goodstein's May Naysayer
- Jabbering Children
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