Denver Direct: January 2013
Thursday, January 31, 2013
Candidate Forum for Denver School Board Vacancy Appointment
Nate Easley is stepping down from his position on the DPS Board to spend more time with The Denver Scholarship Foundation. Thanks to DPS.tv for livestreaming the candidate forum and for providing the complete video of the proceedings last night. Ultimately, this will be an important appointment on a evenly divided Board. (When you are watching a livestream, you can see how many people are watching with you. Last night, only 5 of us were watching the parade of 23 candidates live, so the following should help you catch up if you missed it. Warning: because DPS.tv is using the free version of Ustream, there are unavoidable ads. I wish they would upgrade to the Pro version.)
Wednesday, January 30, 2013
ACTIVE SHOOTER
from Dave Felice
ACTIVE SHOOTER
An active shooter scenario on campus is probably the most difficult situation to
predict, and the events will happen very quickly. Please be aware that if we are
faced with an active shooter scenario, that ACPD may implement several types of
activities, such as campus lockdown, shelter in-place and protect, AND
evacuation.
• Seek sanctuary by proceeding to a room that can be locked, close and
lock all windows and doors and turn off all lights OR exit the building if
safe conditions exist.
• Get down on the floor and ensure that no one is visible from outside the
room.
• Call 9-1-1 from a campus phone or dial (303) 556-5000 from any other
phone to access the Auraria Campus Police Department (ACPD) and
advise the dispatcher of the events.
• Inform him/her of your location, and remain in place until the police give
the “ALL CLEAR” signal.
• If you are in a room that cannot be locked, place large, heavy objects in
front of the doorway to impede the path and vision of an intruder.
• If an active shooter enters your office or classroom, try to remain calm.
Call 9-1-1 from a campus phone or dial (303) 556-5000 from any other
phone, and if possible, alert police of the shooter’s location. If you can’t
speak, leave the line open so the dispatcher can listen to what’s taking
place.
• If the shooter leaves the area, proceed immediately to a safer place and
do not touch anything that was in the vicinity of the shooter, as these
items could be POTENTIALLY DANGEROUS to you and others.
THE SEGREGATION AND RESEGREGATION OF DENVER PUBLIC SCHOOLS
Dear Community Leaders:
Tuesday, January 29, 2013
All Things A64 with Jessica LeRoux - January 28, 2013
Printed here, as received, with the expressed permission of Jessica LeRoux. Please do not copy without her permission.
Hey Now,
455 Sherman Street, Suite 390
Denver, CO 80203
9:00 AM - Noon
Sunday, January 27, 2013
Saturday, January 26, 2013
Film review: Beware of Mr. Baker
Opinion by Gerald Trumbule
Last February I wrote about a call from Jay Bulger that got me involved in his documentary movie about Ginger Baker, the infamous drummer in Cream, Blind Faith, etc. Jay came to my place, taped an interview with me, and started negotiations to access the 8 hours of Baker footage I had in my possession. Clark Burch, bass player and neophyte videographer, had been insistent that I help him with this Baker project. We trudged down to Parker on numerous occasions to shoot inadequate (needed better lenses) footage of Baker on horseback. Burch became Baker's buddy and had many "Ginger" stories.
Before he died, Burch finished a short jazz video of Baker, but when I later tried to post it on YouTube, it was rejected because it contained the music from Baker's album, "Falling Off the Roof", and, of course, Burch, ignoring my advice, had failed to obtain any written permission from Baker's people to use the music, or any of the videotape for that matter.
"Negotiations" led to my agreeing to let Jay use our footage (about 1 minute, they said) in return for screen credit for both myself and Burch as "additional video". Sad to say, Burch was not given any credit and I was listed under "Thanks", which came after "Special Thanks", which was the very last category in the credits. So much for fame and fortune.
The film is being shown at the (unfortunately named) SIE Film Center at the Lowenstein Complex on Colfax. Screen 1 is a 55-seat box with a digital projector in the back. As the patrons began to assemble, I noticed a guy in the back row apparently setting up his laptop to record an illegal copy of the film. While I was contemplating letting management in on this creep's intention, the manager came in and asked him to leave. No bootleg copies, for now at least.
As to the film itself, I have to give Jay Bulger a lot of credit for getting this thing done. He's taken an unpleasant subject (Baker) and stitched together (with animation, stills, and bits of film) a decent story of his indecent life. At once arrogant and miserable, Baker is a world-class, self-centered jerk. Everybody agrees that his drumming was stellar, but no one likes him. Even at his now advanced age, he is unable to be gracious. His mistreatment of his 4 wives and various off-spring is pathetic. Especially sad is the testimony of his son Kofi Baker, who I met during our videotaping. Kofi is himself now a drummer, but he has not much positive to say about his Dad, who, having been paid $5 million for the 2005 reunion of Cream, had no money to share, even for expenses.
About halfway through the film, I began to ask myself who on earth would want to see this film. Drummers? Cream fans? Rock and roll historians? Maybe.
If I'm not mistaken, the film was bankrolled by one individual. Jay Bulger got a chance to learn filmmaking as writer, director and producer. And I must congratulate him for not pulling any punches. Ginger Baker, now broke again, got a chance to totter, at the end of the film, to one more session at the drums. Just barely.
Allowed YouTube video of Baker drumming in Parker.
Denver Post review, and SFGate review.
2012 a Champion Year for Denver Area Home Sales
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Friday, January 25, 2013
School Selection Commentary
Wednesday, January 23, 2013
Notes from the A64 meetings with Jessica LeRoux - January 23, 2013
Issues in A-64 workgroups for today... nonmedical roadside blood draws... read as: roll up your sleeve of your parka to your armpit, its 1am, its 17 degrees out, and this officer is gonna do a complicated inter-venal procedure on you out here cause he doesnt want to spray your diseased pothead blood all over his cruiser, why is he worried about spraying your blood? #1 because he isnt worried about you, you druggy dirtbag... #2 because he's a cop not a phlebotomist... your choice.
I've read 64 a few times, so how is a DA chairperson of a subgroup that recommends limiting the plant count per household, no matter how many adults live there... and limiting the stored product of the 6 plant home grow to 2-3 "a few" ounces per household as well. Cause that is not the language of the new law, and the last I checked the state (tax payers, that is me & you) doesnt have money to throw down the drain on guaranteed loser court cases....
Lastly... A-64 Advertising presentation today wants to ban all commercial advertising outside of retail shops state wide (no print ads, no radio, no tv, no sponsoring events or teams, no internet ads) and restrict in shop marketing/branding to no product claims, no comparison statements, no health claims, no frequent shopper programs, no coupons, no discounts, no samples or cross marketing... limit any allowed print advertising to publications solely distributed at bars, and make all print adds black & white only with text but no characters or images, and no product claims.... The "rational" was that 64 only allows possession of cannabis, and was not intended to compel the state to allow the industry to expand its user base or frequency of use through marketing techniques... sounds completely unpassable, but got at least 50% or more support for every point I just listed...
Ed note: Support Jessica's Twirling Hippy edibles - ask for them at your dispensary.
Toward developing a commercial use policy for Denver Parks and Recreation
Dody Erickson
Director of Special Projects
Denver Parks and Recreation
Department 601
201 West Colfax
Denver, Colorado 80202
Dear Dody:
Thank you for your invitation to be a member of the stakeholder group to develop a commercial use policy for Denver Parks and Recreation. Since I had previously volunteered, I look forward to working with you as a neighborhood representative for this group.
In response to your inquiry about key points to consider, I should make it clear that my first position is against commercial activity in public parks, consistent with the INC Platform for Denver's Urban Parks. I see no rationalization for the notion that commercial enterprises have a prerogative to use public property for profit-making activities. (City Charter 2.4.5 does not allow leasing of park property.)
If commercial use is to be allowed, I advocate the highest level of revenue and the lowest use possible. Under Parks and Recreation’s cost recovery model, these commercial enterprises should pay the full cost of what the property is worth because the activity is only predicated on profit-making use by a few individuals.
The commercial use policy should prohibit any activities involving animals, such as dog training or grooming. These activities are inappropriate for general park use, and contrary to existing regulations requiring animals to be on leash. If these commercial enterprises are to be allowed, they must specifically be confined to areas designated as “dog parks.”
Signage, even temporary, is unacceptable. There should be no “naming rights” involved. Again, if the ultimate decision does allow signage, there should be an additional charge for such privilege.
In other words, the public parks are not commercial property for sale to the highest bidder. Commercial enterprises should understand that open space does not confer any usage advantages that would be gained over an ordinary “brick and mortar” business establishment.
Subject to stakeholder consensus and final decision, the proposed model for Santa Monica (http://bigstory.ap.org/article/its-fight-over-fitness-santa-monicas-parks) should serve as a pattern for Denver. There should be an open and serious examination of what policies are in place in other comparable cities, e.g. Seattle, Portland, Baltimore, Indianapolis, Phoenix. Any commercial user must be registered with the Colorado Secretary of State. Any user must possess and display the applicable state and city business license(s). Commercial users must pay all applicable taxes. Users must post bond and be responsible for full restoration of any damage to park property. Permits must be renewed frequently, at least once every three months.
I do have questions about enforcement. How is Parks and Recreation going to determine legitimate licensed users from transient activities, and how is Parks going to collect the applicable fees?
Denver Parks and Recreation must set rules limiting the number of commercial use permits, define acceptable use, size of activity, and number of permits. Only certain areas and specified parks can be used. For example, Washington and Cheesman Parks are already overwhelmed by activity and would not be appropriate sites. The time of commercial activity must be limited to specified hours, preferably at lower park usage times.
Any activity which the community considers inappropriate and/or unacceptable must cease immediately with no questions and no recourse by the operator. Parks should provide a specific phone number for complaints.
Operators must adhere to noise level regulations, e.g. no amplified sound audible beyond 25 feet.
The policy must specifically reiterate prohibitions against alcoholic beverages, firearms, and other lethal weapons.
I appreciate your consideration, recognizing that I have given you more than the three key points you requested. Please let me know if you’d like any more information.
Cordially,
Dave Felice
Tuesday, January 22, 2013
Denver Slated to Lose Critical Natural Area
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| Photo by Ray Ehrenstein |
On January 2, 2013, Denver Parks and Recreation Manager Laurie Dannemiller removed the Natural Area designation from a portion of Hentzell Park (aka Hampden Heights Open Space Area). This action flies in the face of the recommendation of her own Parks and Recreation Advisory Board, the majority of whom voted on December 13, 2012, to deny Mayor Hancock’s request that de-designation occur. The Mayor wanted de-designation so that the City can convey the land to Denver Public Schools. DPS plans to build a new school on the site; in exchange for the land, the City would get a DPS building at 1330 Fox Street that would be used for a domestic
violence center. This exchange of property will next be considered mid-February by the
Government and Finance Committee of the City Council, and then by the full City Council,
which has the final say, some time in March.
Why Losing 9 Acres of Hentzell Designated Natural Area Should be Opposed
1. We need more not less urban parkland, in light of Denver’s expected population
increase, and this action would set an unacceptable precedent that could erode the quality and
size of Denver’s park system;
2. The land in question, though described by Mayor Hancock as “blighted”, is in fact an
area that was designated as having significant biological value in 2007 by Denver’s Department
of Parks and Recreation, and the unique seed stock and vegetation on this site has not changed
significantly since that time. Those who consider the area unsightly are responding to the way it
looks superficially rather than to its biologic significance;
3. The Hentzell site is in a flood plain: Building a school on this site, as a result, is
unwise on the face of it; moreover, schools in Denver have a long history of being opened,
closed, re-opened and even demolished-- the latter possibility would open the way for
commercial development of this property. Loss of a rare Natural Area (Denver has only166
acres of land deemed worthy of Natural Area designation) for such development would be a real
loss;
4. All parkland managed by DPR including natural areas is held in the public trust. It
should not be used (or sold) for purposes removed from conservation, preservation, and
recreation. The City Charter provides the model for how this land should be treated. The
Charter prohibits the sale or leasing of land designated as a park by ordinance without approval
by a majority of registered voters. Conveying 9 acres of Hentzell Park to DPS without a vote of
the people violates the spirit of the City Charter.
What You Can Do
Write Denver City Council members to express your opposition to this land transfer, to
encourage designation as Denver Parks all legally-available land, and to alter the City
Charter to require a vote of the people for de-designation of all lands managed by DPR;
Attend the Government and Finance Committee Meeting and the City Council Meeting at
which the land transfer issue will be discussed and consider speaking, if there is a
hearing; and
Find more information, including updates at www.denvernature.net.
1/17/ 2013 Advocates for Denver’s Parks
Monday, January 21, 2013
Sunday, January 20, 2013
All Things MJ with Jessica LeRoux - January 20, 2013
Ed. note: This article is reprinted here with the expressed permission of the copyright owner, Jessica LeRoux, and may not be reprinted elsewhere without her permission. Linking to this site is encouraged, but cutting and pasting is expressly prohibited.
*** to preface, 1/2 this was written last week, then the computer died in the middle of type up, and I had to spend days getting 1/2 what i'd spent about 6 hours working on recovered, I've finished, redone, and or added the new info from this week's meetings because after driving to Durango & back on Saturday/Sunday I will be too late and too beat to do it all again on Sunday night.
Hey Now,
Sorry I am running really behind on the news this week. actually now is as good a time as any to point out to you gentle reader that this project used to take me about 6-8 hours each week, but in light of the fact that I have attended 31 hours of A-64 and MMED public meetings in 8 days (by time of rewriite the hours were at 46 in 12 days) I'd safely say that the scope of this newsletter project is getting pretty overwhelming. I have written a review of the local and national MMJ scene every week now for 3 years, and I hope you are learning a lot by reading it, but I would like to say that this is a massive labor of love, and it would really make my day if you (my reader) and my business were in a 2 way relationship of mutual support. By this I mean that if you have been reading and learning, staying ahead of the changes that will affect your business or lifestyle, but not supporting the writer by offering Twirling Hippy Confections for sale in your MMC, you are not being very cool. I have never demanded anything in return of the readers of this newsletter, more that I've been waiting for you to get the hint that we were offering you more value than the average MIPs! I know that many of you also industry people, and most of you tell me how much you rely on this source of news, well newsflash, nothing is free! The letter you are reading right now will have roughly 40 hours of my personal (free) time devoted to research and write up. In coming weeks I will be changing over to a secure document, and the information (which is my intellectual property which I have generously and freely shared with you out of altruism) in coming newsletters will be copyrighted, which means you will not be allowed to forward or repost or create into a blog (gerald you already have my permission to keep doing your thing) without my expressly granted permission. If you want to keep getting these newsletters you need to respond to this email & actually talk to me and let me know who you are and that you are aware of the work & time spent and why you should continue to get the news if you are not currently a client of my business. Pretty much anybody will be eligible, but I need to thin the herd of those who rarely read, and more importantly those who have been taking without giving anything in return. * if you are wondering if I mean you, ask your self when the last time your MMC ordered product was, if the answer is never and you've read more than a dozen of these notes, yes this tirade is directed at you personally!
Now that I've scolded the selfish lil children the rest of you shall have your news!
This was a massively busy week in CO cannabis, as i mentioned I attended 28 hours of A-64 workgroup meetings as well as the MMED's stakeholder meeting. Today I will review the highlights as well as some stories from around the state and nation concerning the path ahead. Unfortunately the DOR's A-64 website is idle and hasn't been updated since Thursday the 11th, so the meeting notices are falling behind. Tomorrow, Tuesday the 15th, is the next Consumer Safety meeting from 3-5 at the CDPHE building 4300 Cherry Creek Dr. Also this means that I cant link you to every handout from every meeting as some havent been posted yet.., (oh well, at least the state stuck to respecting the sunshine laws for almost 2 weeks).
of course none of us could have seen this coming could we have? http://blogs.westword.com/latestword/2013/01/amendment_64_decline_medical_marijuana_registry.php
Thursday, January 17, 2013
Notes from the A64 meetings by Jessica LeRoux
reprinted with permission
today's Criminal Enforcement sub-workgroup meeting of the A-64 task force was not very encouraging... 10-15 minute E-warrants for blood draws, and non-medical professional applied blood draws were on the list, as well as the "conflict" in 64 over possessing the whole weight of a 6 plant grow in the home when the wording clearly states possession limit is one ounce... Banning of "social clubs" discussed and endorsed, removing a child from the home for child endangerment if parents smoke in front of them (lets recall that seeing dad having a beer with dinner is what most kids see everyday, and we voted to regulate like alcohol.) Limiting plants counts per house no matter how many adults live in the house, and about 20 other bullet points along this vein were given serious credence, and worst of all the public was forced to speak 1st , so we were unable to rebut any misguided or unscientific points that the working group of 4 members made...
Monday, January 14, 2013
Ginger Baker documentary opens in Denver on Friday, January 25
Regular readers may remember my story about an upcoming Ginger Baker documentary. It's called (appropriately) "Beware of Mr. Baker" and it's opening here in Denver on Friday, Jan. 25 at the SIE Film Center, 2510 E. Colfax. Call the box office at 720 381-0813 for times and tickets. This is, for me, a MUST SEE!
1/25: Asbury Park, NJ - The ShowRoom
1/25: Atlanta, GA - Plaza Theatre
1/25: Columbia, MO - Ragtag Cinema
1/25: Dallas, TX - Texas Theatre
1/25: Denver, CO - SIE FilmCenter
1/25: Ft. Collins, CO - Lyric Cinema Cafe
1/25: Los Angeles, CA - The Downtown Independent
1/25: Miami, FL - O Cinema
1/25: Minneapolis, MN - MSP International Film Festival
1/25: Nashville, TN - Belcourt Theatre
1/25: New Orleans, LA - Zeitgeist Multi-Disciplinary Arts Center
1/25-1/27: Pittsburgh, PA - Hollywood
1/25: Providence, RI - Cable Car Cinema and Cafe
1/25: San Francisco, CA - Roxie Theatre
1/25: Santa Fe, NM - The Screen
1/25: Springfield, MO - Moxie Cinema
1/25: Tucson, AZ - The Loft Cinema
1/25: Washington DC - West End Cinema
1/28: Austin, TX - Alamo Ritz
1/29: Philadelphia, PA - The Trocadero
1/30: Aspen, CO - Wheeler Opera House
2/1-2/4: Chicago, IL - Gene Fiskel Film Center
2/8: Grand Rapids, MI - Urban Institute for Contemporary Arts
2/17-2/20: Albuquerque, NM - Guild Cinema
2/21: Boulder, CO - International Film Series
3/1-3/7: Seattle, WA: Grand Illusion Cinema
3/29-2/30: Detroit, MI - DIA
Friday, January 11, 2013
and is Gun Control a Red Herring?
Dear Congresswoman DeGette,
Wednesday, January 9, 2013
Hentzell Park Natural Area decision unjustified
Analysis and commentary
by Dave Felice
Parks now steps away from the final determination. “To be clear, the recommendation Manager Dannemiller made is not going to City Council for approval. The Land Swap Agreement before City Council is going to be led by the Denver Real Estate Office,” says Angela Casias, a spokesperson for Parks.
In exchange for the park land, the city would get a school office building at 13th and Fox to assist victims of domestic violence.
It is very difficult to stay objective on this matter. People throughout the city are distraught and traumatized by the decision. The level of emotion almost rivals that of the ban on outdoor sleeping.
Tuesday, January 8, 2013
All things MJ with Jessica LeRoux - January 8, 2012 - Meetings report
Hey Now,
Well I survived about 7 hours of Amendment 64 Meetings today (1st the criminal law workgroup, then the 4 hour general task force meeting) and i have plenty to tell you about it all. Plus reviews of the other two workgroup meetings I have participated in as well... and there is some non-64 related industry news too, so get your late night reading glasses on, and I will get a plate of food to sustain my typing, and here we go, cuddling up for some regulatory good times!
Thursday, January 3, 2013
Parks and Recreation Advisory Board resignation
Dear Fellow Parks and Recreation Advisory Board Members, I wanted to let you know that I am resigning my position on the Parks and Recreation Advisory Board. As many of you know, I am a former teacher and working in education and with kids is an area of great personal interest to me. I have offered and accepted a position to serve on the Board of Directors of a Charter School organization in Denver. It has been an honor and a pleasure to serve with all of you, and I wish you all the best in the future. Sincerely, Dan Smink
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