Denver Direct

The Return of Ginger Baker (to this blog)

2012-02-01T15:52:00.000-07:00

Keen observers of this space may remember the original vidies of Ginger Baker that were posted here, like the one above. They were quite popular, receiving tens of thousands of hits, and then they disappeared. What was that all about?

The story behind my originally posting the vidies in 2008 is here, and I won't bother repeating it. In August of 2010 I received a call from director Jay Bulger (himself quite a character) who said he had seen my vidies and wondered if I would like to be interviewed for the film and possibly make some of my footage available for inclusion in the movie he was making about Ginger Baker. Well of course!

A few days later Jay and his very tired crew of two rolled in around 10pm and we did the interview. "Ginger Baker was the Mohammad Ali of rock and roll", I said, "he could move faster than everyone else" (we used to call it speed). And what about the 8-hours of tape that I had (mostly inherited from Clark Burch, who spent two years following Baker and eventually becoming a good friend of Baker's and who created his own music vidie, which YouTube won't let me publish, called "Falling Off the Roof" after a Baker jazz CD of the same name)? After a little arm-twisting I agreed to make copies of my footage for them to review.

Unfortunately, much of the footage was of Ginger playing polo in Parker, Colorado, shot with a standard 12-120 zoom lens and a non-HD Sony VX-2000 from the sidelines of the polo field and not able to really get at the action. Some footage of Baker, when he got off his horse, was good - as usual, he played two sets of drums at the same time - and included a duet with his son Kofi.

I asked if it was ok for me to write about the interview, but Jay said they wanted to keep everything under wraps until the release - at an unspecified date and location. I decided to take down my own vidies from this blog in anticipation of the big buildup.

Another call just a few weeks ago informed me that they were going to use 1 minute of the footage I provided (I forgot to ask about the interview - we'll have to wait and see). I agreed that screen credit for both myself and Clark would be sufficient reward, and asked about their plans to create internet-buzz. It seems that they hadn't given that much thought, but welcomed anything I might do to start the ball rolling.

Here is the announcement in the SxSW Film Festival in Austin, Texas, March 9-17, 2012. "Beware of Mr. Baker" (a sign posted at the gate to his current abode in Africa) is the name of the feature length documentary, one of 8 selected from 845 submissions. I'm not very hip to the film festival scene anymore (after having tickets #1 and #2 to the very first Telluride Film Festival and smoking a joint with Jack Nicholson there) but I had been dreaming of a theatrical release in NYC.

I'll be posting more vidies here along with some of the stories of both Baker and Burch.

Broncomaniacs OK, Occupiers a threat

2012-01-31T08:21:00.000-07:00

Commentary by Phil Goodstein

The latest Bronco hoopla might be the very worst since the beginning of Broncomania. As much as ever, this is the religion of ruling Denver. The level of hype for a most insubstantial team and topic is a reflection on the essential character of the community. The real issue is to what degree is this completely manufactured and how much is actually popular emotion.

Of course, if the newspapers/television gave Bronco games all the attention they do to symphony concerts, there would be minimal interest. But then if there were nonstop news about concerts, the hall would be packed and the musicians would be celebrities. As it is, the overwhelming defeat of the Broncos was good news. It kept us from being barraged with even more of this. Meanwhile, if budget cuts are urgent, where the does the money come from for the city-sponsored football hoopla?

Football frenzy is not limited to Denver or the Broncos. It is part of our culture. Still, it is also a reflecting of ruling class values. Nobody more revealed this than Richard Nixon. First, during mass anti-war protests, he announced he was ignoring them for watching football. Then, when he actually sought to meet protesters, instead of discussing the war, he talked about football. This is what Nixon and his ilk know and can discuss.

This reflects also on the Occupy movement. It is something that so upsets the system because esblishment powers cannot understand the Occupy movement in the slightest. Besides, we need the occupiers out of the Civic Center so we can have football rallies.

One last consideration: On Martin Luther King Day, the Denver Post had a good picture of the police staring down protesters in the 1960s. Of course, the paper did not note the difference of today. The current police would have on riot gear. If the Occupiers are so dangerous as to force the police to wear riot gear, why are not the police in riot gear at Bronco games and football rallies? The drunken football crowds are far more violent than any of the protesters.

But saying this is banal. The fact that it is not even said or asked is typical of the censorship of our times.

Occupy Denver Solidarity with Oakland Tonight

2012-01-29T15:35:00.002-07:00

Tonight - Sunday 1/29/12, 7:00pm, Civic Center Park, after more than 400 arrests last night in Oakland.

Live streaming now at Occupy Oakland

2012-01-28T16:20:00.000-07:00

Occupy Oakland riot here now - 4:17 pm Denver time.

4:21 here come the fuzz

4:34 cops running towards protesters

8:27pm OPD haas kettled over 100 protesters in front of YMCA and are bringing in buses to take them away. Occupy Oakland Live has a cool night-vision live stream. Over 4700 people watching online

8:46pm Helicopter shot of city hall arrests being made.

Now this is just dumb, and a waste of time and money

2012-01-28T08:50:00.001-07:00

Denver Recycles Presents:

“I HEART My Purple Recycling Cart” Photo Contest

Submit a photo showing your love of recycling in the Mile High City!

DENVER, CO — January 27, 2012 — As Valentine’s Day approaches, Mayor Michael B. Hancock and Denver Public Works’ Denver Recycles announces a way for residents to “show their love” for recycling with the “I Heart My Purple Recycling Cart” photo contest. Denver residents are encouraged to submit creative photos showing their support for, and love of, recycling; however submissions must share a common theme: all photos must include the signature Denver “purple recycling cart.”

With more than 111,000 households choosing to “Go Purple” by recycling paper, bottles, containers, cans, etc., everyday, it is clear that Denver loves to recycle. Now it is your chance to show how much you love your purple recycling cart by submitting a photo that captures this love and creatively shows how your household recycles.

Mayor Hancock, Denver Public Works Manager George Delaney and Denver Recycles Operations Manager Charlotte Pitt will select a first, second and third place winner, and the best submittal under 13 years old. Prizes include four tickets to Disney’s Beauty and the Beast, four tickets to Michael Flatley’s Lord of the Dance (theatre tickets are courtesy of Arts and Venues Denver), Colorado Avalanche tickets and a ParkSmart Denver gift card.

HOW TO SUBMIT YOUR PHOTO:

1. Email your digital photo to DenverRecycles@DenverGov.org by noon, Tuesday, February 14^th

2. Include your name, phone number and home address in your email

3. Photos must include your Denver Recycles purple cart, without any permanent markings on it (no stickers, no spray paint, etc.)

4. Photo should illustrate your appreciation for your purple recycling cart, how or what you recycle at home, etc.

5. Digital photo should be a minimum of 500 KB and a maximum of 1000 KB

6. One photo per household

Please note that by submitting your photos you are giving the City and County of Denver permission to post them on Facebook, websites and in other promotional and printed materials. Winners will be notified through their submittal email on February 14, 2012. Also, City and County of Denver employees are not eligible to win prizes, but are welcome to submit photos.

Now that's just crazy! YouTube ad scam?

2012-01-27T14:33:00.001-07:00

Did you see the video I posted of the MLK marade?

Shortly after posting, I received this notice from YouTube:

Copyright Info: The Complete 2012 MLK Marade

Your video, The Complete 2012 MLK Marade , may include content that is owned or administered by this entity:

Entity: Music Publishing Rights Collecting Society Content Type: Musical Composition

What should I do?

No action is required on your part. Your video is still available worldwide. In some cases ads may appear next to your video.

What can I do about my video's status?

Please note that the video's status can change, if the policies chosen by the content owners change. You may want to check back periodically to see if you have new options available to you.

Under certain circumstances, you may dispute this copyright claim. These are:

if the content is mistakenly identified and is actually completely your original creation;
if you believe your use does not infringe copyright (e.g. it is fair use under US law);
if you are actually licensed by the owner to use this content.

I need more information. I want to learn more about the dispute process.

Please take a few minutes to visit our Help Center section on Policy and Copyright Guidelines, where you can learn more about copyright law and our Content Identification Service.

A Google search revealed:

"It's not so much a claim against your video per se; it's a notification that royalties are being collected on behalf of the original artist.
This has nothing to do with not getting permission -- that's a separate issue. Basically, royalties are payable on any public performance of any music registered with the appropriate collecting societies. In other words, if you write a song and somebody gets up on stage and performs it (even a cover), or broadcasts it in a video, or whatever, you can claim royalty payments. You're being compensated for the fact that it was all your work, but somebody else is being paid for it.
This mysterious "Music Publishing Rights Collecting Society" isn't one organisation: it's a generic term for all collecting societies, which collect and distribute money on behalf of artists -- organisations like ACAP and BMI in the US, PRS for Music in the UK, GEMA in Germany and so on.
You don't need to worry about anything, because you're not the one having to pay royalties -- it's YouTube, who have to buy broadcasting licences in different countries in order to be allowed to broadcast music. The "claim" is merely a notification that this is happening. Similarly, if you are at a karaoke bar as a performer, you don't have to worry about royalties and such: that will have been taken care of on your behalf by the owners of the venue or the organisers of the event, who will have had to have bought a licence.
That said, if your video contains any third party material at all, including cover versions (a capella or not), you actually still do need the permission of the copyright owners, quite separate from the issue of royalty payments. If you do not have this permission, then that is a possible case of copyright infringement, and the copyright owners then have the legal right, if they so wish, to order YouTube to take your video down. It doesn't matter if you credit the author or write a disclaimer or make no money from it: it's very likely copyright infringement if you don't get permission (the YouTube Help Center has a whole section devoted to copyright issues).
So, in short, there are two related, but different, issues here:
Copyright: You must get the permission of the original creator of the work you are using before you upload.
Royalty payments: If the original song is registered with a collecting society, royalties on all performances are likely due -- but this is taken care of by YouTube."

I haven't identified anything in the video that might be the culprit. Can you? Comments appreciated. Further reading here.

Update: After posting the above, I continued to research the question and found this Facebook page.
It sure looks like a fake to me. Putting an ad next to your video is the punishment? Reading the 79 comments, I found the suggestion that anyone receiving the notice should go ahead and dispute the claim. That's what I did - clicked through a form and submitted my challenge to the claim to YouTube. To my amazement, the notice next to my video DISAPPEARED WITHIN 30 SECONDS. Gone, gone.
So YouTube sends you a notice of possible copyright infringement and the punishment is that THEY PUT AN AD NEXT TO IT?? Smells like a scam to me. Try disputing it and see if your notice disappears. Please comment.

Occupy Denver livestream at 10:00 am this morning from

2012-01-26T08:47:00.000-07:00

Live streaming video here from Obama's visit to Aurora.

Things that make you go hmmm...

2012-01-25T11:01:00.003-07:00

(click below to go to article on King World News)
With gold and silver exploding to the upside on the Fed announcement, today King World News interviewed legendary Jim Sinclair, to get his take on where things are headed. Sinclair told KWN he now expects mainstream entities to enter the gold market. Here is what Sinclair had to say: “Today is an important day. There are many days we talk but this is a mile-marker. What the Fed did today. what the Fed did today is they turned on the light of what will be QE to infinity. Today the light went on with regards to the intentions of the Fed. They did that for very specific reasons, we have troubles people can’t see and this is one of the ways out.”

Another Inmate for the Denver Zoo

2012-01-24T16:34:00.002-07:00

The latest "Toyota" elephant added to the animal prison, aka Denver Zoo, (see story here) and earlier blog post here.

Denver Zoo/Charlotte Bassin

Additional opinion here.

The Earth is Currently Being Hit by a Large Solar Flare

2012-01-24T15:38:00.000-07:00

3:38 pm - Watch it live via the Aurora Borealis in Sweden here.

New American car purchase becomes adventure

2012-01-23T16:51:00.000-07:00

By Dave Felice

Buying an automobile in Michigan isn't much different than in Colorado, but purchasing Chevrolet's newest model where the cars are built adds an interesting and intriguing dimension to getting a new car. And the people who make Chevrolet Sonic are as pleased to be producing the car as I am to own one.

Using advanced techniques and some of the world's largest robotic equipment, members of United Auto Workers (UAW) Local 5960 produce the Sonic subcompact hatchback and sedans, along with a new Buick small car, at the General Motors Orion Assembly Center. The huge production plant is set amid rolling hills and lakes between Detroit and Flint, in the town of Lake Orion (OR-ee-uhn).

I read of GM’s plans for Sonic earlier in the year and was waiting for production to begin. Since I would have needed to order the car for delivery in Denver anyway, I decided to make the trip to Michigan. I ordered a crystal-red Sonic LT hatchback with automatic transmission. I picked up the car at the (Wally Edgar) dealership, less than a mile from the production facility, then drove 1550 miles back to Denver.

Chevrolet's Sonic is the only subcompact built in the United States. Ford's entry in the market segment, Fiesta, is made in Mexico. All the other cars in this class are produced overseas. GM and the UAW have a new two-tier pay structure designed to make it profitable to produce the cars domestically.

As a Steward for Communications Workers of America (CWA) Local 7777 and Delegate of the Denver Area Labor Federation (DALF), it was important for me to purchase a car from an American company, made in the United States by union workers.

Modern production in “car country”
Orion Assembly Center has “the latest and greatest production techniques,” according to Local 5960’s Communications Director Tony Hufford. He explains that the plant was idle for the past year while undergoing complete renovation to take advantage of the newest methods of auto making. Instead of producing just one model at a time, Orion workers can build a Sonic sedan, followed by a Buick Verano and a Sonic hatchback in the same assembly run.

Hufford says there are 1,750 hourly and salaried employees at Orion Assembly, on two ten-hour shifts four days a week. Another 300 third party employees work in the plant on processes which formerly were performed at outside locations. The facility produces about 40 cars per hour. According to Hufford, about 90 percent of the cars are built on outstanding orders from customers and dealers, with the rest being made for dealer inventory. All of the Sonic and Verano vehicles made for North America are produced at Orion Assembly.

Pride in production
Hufford says members of UAW 5960 are proud to be making the cars at Orion Assembly. “It’s what we do; we build quality cars,” he remarks. “The workers love the car (Sonic). It is a significant improvement over small cars of the past. We are pleased to be building this car in the U.S.” The motto of Local 5960 is “Build It Like We Own it” and Hufford says plant workers live by their motto.

He tells me Orion Assembly workers are also gratified to be part of GM’s recovery. “The company is really on the mend and the cars we are building are truly state of the art. We’re continuing the great history of this plant for high quality along with health, safety, and environmental considerations.”

Referring to the innovative two-tier wage scale agreement, he says “We brought production here (to Orion) and we think it’s a new beginning (for the company).” About 60 percent of the Orion workers are Tier One veterans, while the others are Entry Level with a lower starting wage scale.

Hufford says the Sonic has wide appeal because of its smaller size, higher fuel efficiency, attractive styling and features, and smooth handling. “Dealers nationwide are expressing demand,” he says. “Driving the Sonic doesn’t feel like driving a small car.”

Plant workers built my car on November 15. Jeff “Weebie” Webb of UAW 5960 and Orion Quality Operations Manager Carter Sperry did the final inspection before arranging delivery of the car to the Wally Edgar dealership, down the road and around the corner.

President Barack Obama and South Korean President Lee Myung-Bak were the plant in late October to promote a trade agreement. Sperry says GM Chief Executive Dan Akerson also visits Orion Assembly and talks directly with workers.

Plant approaches three decades
General Motors opened Orion Assembly in 1983. The sprawling facility is nestled in the countryside of Oakland County, on land considered unsuitable for agriculture. Originally, trains provided the transportation to and from the facility. Now, almost everything is moved by truck. With the exception of occasionally heavy truck traffic, it’s hard to tell that a major industrial complex sits just beyond the main north-south road through Lake Orion.

Located on 5,000 acres of property, Orion Assembly is 80 acres under one roof. By comparison, the entire property of Elitch Gardens in Denver is 72 acres. An acre is roughly equivalent to a football field.

After General Motors decided to produce the Sonic, engineers and members of the UAW Skilled Trades started rebuilding Orion Assembly in late 2010. The company spent about $545 million dollars upgrading and retooling, putting about 1,000 employees back to work in the Detroit metropolitan area. Every aspect of the sparkling-clean facility was custom built for the latest production technologies with lowest cost and highest efficiency and environmental standards, according to Hufford. He says there is actually enough space in the plant for a second assembly line.

Production of the 2012 Sonic started in third quarter this year. Chevrolet sold about 300 cars nationwide during the first month of sales in August. Through November, about 9,000 Sonic cars had been sold around the country.

Innovative processes
Some suppliers are located right in the assembly plant. Parts and sub-assemblies are delivered to the point they are needed by what’s called the minomi system, using large bins guided by electric tracks in the floor. The cars are assembled like a kit. Each car has a set of assembly specifications and the correct pieces are delivered and installed when required.

Paint shop specialist Anton Busuttil says Orion Assembly is the first U.S. facility to use the economical “three wet” paint process, eliminating the need for a primer baking oven. Three coats of paint can be applied before a single trip through the oven. While producing a high-quality product, the process reduces assembly space and time, as well as lessening solvent emissions by over 100,000 pounds each year. In addition, the rust-proofing film is thinner than other vehicles while retaining the same or higher quality.

New fluorescent lighting at Orion Assembly saves nearly half-a-million dollars. According to published information from General Motors, the plant produces 80 percent less solid waste, uses 20 percent less water, and powers some operations by methane gas from nearby landfills.

The Sonic itself uses high-strength but lighter weight steel to be less costly and more fuel-efficient. Sonic buyers can choose a 1.4 or 1.8 Liter (85 or 110 cu. in) engine. The 1.4L engine is available with an optional turbocharger. GM factories worldwide build the engines.

At some locations along the line, there are “practice cars” set aside where workers can look for new techniques and resolve difficulties.

Auto work part of community
Orion Assembly has a close relation with historic automobiles. Hufford says the plant has produced several models of Buick Riviera and LeSabre; the Oldsmobile Aurora, 88, and 98 models; Pontiac Bonneville; Cadillac DeVille and Brougham; Chevrolet Malibu; and the Pontiac G6.

There are numerous other auto production and supply facilities in the area. Well known locations such as Detroit, Flint, Auburn Hills (Chrysler), Lansing, Pontiac, and Dearborn (Ford) are all within a short drive. The FANUC Automated Robotics Systems used at Orion Assembly are manufactured in nearby Rochester Hills.

Many residents of the Lake Orion area either work at the plant, are retired autoworkers, or have relatives involved in auto production. The new Marriott Springhill Suites hotel, about five minutes from the plant, has a special room rate for autoworkers.

Brand expansion in GM revival
As part of a new age for General Motors, Sonic is a major component in the worldwide expansion of the Chevrolet brand. Sonic is produced and sold under the Chevrolet brand in North America, Europe, and Asia, even in Japan. The Sonic, with right hand drive, is sold as a Holden Barina in Australia and New Zealand. Right hand drive cars are also made for Britain and Ireland, India, South Africa, and Japan. Even though Sonic is a different car than the previous Chevrolet Aveo subcompact, the Aveo name continues to be used in some overseas markets, such as India and Chile.

The Sonic is specifically designed to compete directly with foreign brands such as Honda, Nissan, Suzuki, and Volkswagen. Engineers and designers have melded American features with European and Japanese elements.

While it may not have been intentional, some observers see some retrospective design elements, reminiscent of cars such as the PT Cruiser, Chevrolet HHR, and even London taxicabs. “Sporty,” “jaunty,” and “cute” are adjectives people use often in referring to my Sonic. Almost everyone likes the round headlights. People also like the crystal red color, and the solid way the doors close.

Because of production advancements, GM expects to have a profitable entry in the subcompact market. Sonic has a base price of about $14,500. At present, Sonic is GM’s smallest car available in the U.S. It also gets best gas mileage for a conventionally-powered vehicle. UAW President Bob King was recently quoted as saying the union is committed to the success of the company with a workable business plan that makes sense for everyone.

Chevrolet corporate headquarters has chosen to forego traditional broadcast and print advertising. The company is using more Internet resources, such as social media, e-mail, and web sites.

Getting to Lake Orion unusual
Denver-based Frontier Airlines has a daily flight from Denver to Flint, with a change of planes in Milwaukee. The flight description doesn’t really specify what kind of aircraft are involved. Because Flint is a smaller airport, the plane out of Milwaukee is a Brazilian-made Embraer commuter jet, painted with the Midwest Airlines name, operated by Chautauqua Airlines. Frontier, Midwest, and Chautauqua are all subsidiaries of Republic Airways of Indianapolis.

Leaving Denver, I had one carry-on suitcase. Because of the shape of the overhead bin on the Frontier plane, the bag wouldn’t fit and was checked as baggage. Apparently, everyone except me knew that getting on the smaller Chautauqua plane involved checking a small bag at the plane. Since a single Frontier-Chautauqua employee at Flint does everything except fly the plane, passengers pick up their bags when leaving the aircraft. I had to wait until the Frontier employee returned to the ticket counter with my bag because it was the only one which went through an inside baggage-handling process.

Once I had retrieved my suitcase, a driver from the Chevrolet dealership picked me up for the 45-minute ride southeast to Lake Orion. The driver was a retired autoworker, and we chatted mostly about the automobile business.

While in Lake Orion, I had lunch with an old acquaintance, Buick historian and author Larry Gustin. He had just completed work on the Second Revised Edition of this book David Buick’s Marvelous Motorcar. We ate at Palazzo di Bocce, an Italian restaurant which has bocce courts indoors next to the tables.

Easy to make the deal
After making the decision to order the Sonic hatchback, I contacted sales consultant Tom Blythe at Wally Edgar Chevrolet in Lake Orion. I had a good idea of the Sonic’s market price, and Blythe presented an attractive, fair, and unwavering offer in the first of numerous phone calls and e-mails. I jokingly told Blythe this was the second easiest sale he had ever made. Every aspect of the process went about as smoothly as possible.

Ironically, the day workers produced my car coincided with the opening of deer hunting season in Michigan. Because he had long-standing plans to go hunting, Blythe turned the matter over to his associate, Jeff Anderson. When the car was delivered to the dealership, Anderson handled all the final details.

I had to pay extra for a front license plate mounting bracket. Unlike Colorado, Michigan does not require a front plate.

The biggest shock of the entire deal was the amount of sales tax and fees I had to pay to register the car and get Colorado license plates.

Returning to Denver
The route from Lake Orion to Denver runs northwest Flint and Lansing, then south to Indianapolis and west across Indiana, Illinois, Missouri, Kansas, and Colorado.

I stayed overnight in Indianapolis, Columbia, Missouri, and Salina, Kansas. In Indianapolis, I had dinner with a high school classmate who is a tax attorney. He’s very busy because of the adverse impact of the economy on individuals and small businesses. The Indianapolis International Airport, just seven miles southwest of downtown, was rebuilt in 2008.

In Salina, I met with Herb Hackenburg, a former co-worker and founder of the Telecommunications History Group, a Denver museum and archives relating to all aspects of telephony.

Although there are federal standards for Interstate road signs, each state seems to have a different interpretation. The signs in Missouri were most informative, while I found it difficult to rely on signs in Indiana and Illinois. Signs which say “Gas-Food-Lodging Next Exit” are just about useless unless the signs specifically describe the services and where they are. In some cases, the gas station was four miles from the main highway.

It was appropriate that the satellite radio in my car was broadcasting “Roll Over Beethoven” by Chuck Berry while I drove through Wentzville, Missouri. But I saw no signage recognizing one of the town’s most famous residents. General Motors has a truck assembly plant in Wentzville, a suburb of St. Louis.

In Kansas City, Kansas, the Interstate dips under the downtown area and suddenly splits into five different directions. Without warning, I found myself in the wrong lane. I ended up going southward until I could get out of traffic and find my way back westbound. Ford has an assembly plant in Kansas City, Missouri, while GM has a plant in Kansas City, Kansas.

Driving through Kansas, I passed by the birthplaces of former President Dwight Eisenhower and former Vice President Bob Dole. I also learned former U.S. Senator Arlen Spector of Pennsylvania is a Kansas native.

I left Lake Orion at mid-day on Wednesday and arrived in Denver at mid-afternoon on Saturday, having driven a few hundred miles the first day and about 400 miles on each of the other three days.

Benzene leaking into Sand Creek? What about the benzene from Lowry Landfill being pumped daily into Washington Park and City Park by Metro Wastewater?

2012-01-22T09:03:00.001-07:00

Recent articles have revealed that benzene, a toxic carcinogen, is leaking from the Suncor refinery into Sand Creek in Denver. Steps have been taken to investigate the source and reduce the flow. But records show that benzene is among the many carcinogens being pumped into our parks and lakes in the guise of recycled water.

Metro Wastewater Reclamation District (MWRD) issues permits to allow pollutants to be flushed into Denver and Aurora sewers. After a secret deal (later made public by Westword) between the major polluters (Coors et. al.) at Lowry Landfill Superfund Site (LLSS) and then-Mayor Webb in 1996, a permit was granted by Metro Wastewater Reclamation District to allow over 60 toxic chemicals (including radionuclides like plutonium) to be flushed into Denver's sewer about a mile from Lowry Landfill. Pages 5 and 6 from the current permit, obtained from MWRD by a Colorado Open Records request, are reprinted below. Note that benzene is on the list. (Click to enlarge)

Back in those days, this toxic sewer water mix flowed into the Platte River. When Denver started to recycle it's sewer water in 2004, those contaminants flowed instead to the Robert W. Hite water recycling plant at 6450 York St. There the mix is treated to remove organic contaminants, but nothing is done to remove the toxic chemicals, which flow unabated (through purple pipes) to Washington Park (Grasmere Lake) and City Park (Ferril Lake and Duck Lake).

Remember when they put a rubber bottom under Grasmere Lake? That was necessitated by the fact that this contaminated effluent exceeds the allowable limits of ground water and the lake was leaking into the ground water.

Denver Water steadfastly maintains that these "allowable" limits are safe and acceptable. They even blatantly lie about the plutonium, claiming to have "disproven" the fact that plutonium is in the water. The permit tells no lies.

See also:

Recycling Plutonium: How the EPA is Disbursing Toxic and Radioactive Waste From the Lowry Landfill to the Sewage System and onto CO Farmlands and Public Parks

and for much more type "pollution" into the search box at the upper right on this blog.

There goes the neighborhood, again

2012-01-21T09:28:00.001-07:00

PCEOC

Pinon Canyon Expansion Opposition Coalition

We NEED YOUR HELP - There is another expansion attempt as well as an attempt to take other private property surrounding Pinon Canyon.

PLEASE COME TO THE COMMENT MEETINGS NEXT MONDAY, TUESDAY, AND THURSDAY.

Recently the Army released an Environmental Assessment (EA) for theCombat Aviation Brigade (CAB) scheduled to move to Ft. Carson. This is important since the EA proposes CAB training at PCMS not previously stated.

The proposed action amounts to 22,957 flight hours annually over entire SE Colorado. Estimated flight time of 38-40 helicopters maneuvering over SE Colorado 5 hours per day for 120 days. So much for the peaceful enjoyment of our rural lifestyle and our cultural and biological integrity.

Flights over SE Colorado will include low-level and Nap-of-the-Earth (NOE) training. NOE is defined as: "flight conducted at varying airspeeds as close to the earth's surface as vegetation and obstacles permit". In many cases this means flights between 50 and 300 feet over OUR properties, not just the maneuver sites.

Unmanned drones are also part of a CAB and are expected to add significantly to the number of hours of air traffic in our region.

PUBLIC COMMENT MEETINGS ARE SCHEDULED FOR 6 to 8 pm EACH EVENING:

Monday, January 23^rd at TSJC in Trinidad
Tuesday, January 24^th at Otero JR College in La Junta
Thursday, January 26^th at Crown Plaza in Colorado Springs

Please sign the private property airspace rights declaration* and bring with you to submit at the meeting - Please be sure to send a copy to our legislators also!

You can download that form from the PCEOC website by clicking on either of these links:

www.pinoncanyon.com/documents/Privairspace.doc (Word version)

www.pinoncanyon.com/documents/Privairspace.pdf (Adobe version)

Copies will also be available at the meetings

*Numerous courts have ruled in conformity with the 1946 Supreme Court decision that the hyper-adjacent airspace (under 500') belongs to the land and to the landowner. The attempt by the Army to use this airspace constitutes the taking of private property - but we must advise them that we are 'posting' our property and giving them notice or lose our rights from our own inaction - If the Army is allowed to create these low fly ways they could perhaps have legal standing to maintain them even if that means curtailing wind power production and limiting private property rights in SE Colorado.

Local Good News

2012-01-20T17:05:00.002-07:00

The South City Park Neighborhood Association has overwhelmingly approved a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with Rosen Properties for the redevelopment of the old car dealership at Colfax and Garlfield. The matter now goes to City Council in mid-January for approval of the rezoning request.

The developer is planning to put up a building to house a Sunflower Market grocery store and other commercial buildings.

In the MOU, Sunflower reserves the right to operate 24 hours a day, seven days a week

The proposal has already been approved by the Planning Commission.

Preview Colorado Environmental Film Festival

2012-01-18T20:36:00.001-07:00

On January 20th, 2012, The Mercury Cafe will host an event to promote the 6th annual festival, including film previews and a music performance by Gabrielle Louise, emceed by Jonny 5 of The Flobots.

The 6th annual Film Festival will be held in Golden, CO on February 23-25, 2012.
CEFF organizes an annual film festival, screening world-class environmental films, and featuring representatives from local and national organizations and companies through topical forums and discussions.

Throughout the year, CEFF sponsors fundraising events for the festival as well as other community activities that will provide forums for individuals to interact with local businesses and artists and find educational resources and accessible solutions for environmental issues.

The Mercury Café, located at 22nd and California Street in Denver, CO, serves as the perfect eco-friendly venue, with its alternative power and its rich menu of organic fair. They have been serving local and organic produce for years, including the beer, which is locally brewed at Asher Brewery.

They use 100% Excel Wind Energy and their own rooftop wind turbines generate 800 watts independently of Excel. 36 solar voltaic panels contribute another 6300 watts. Since moving into the building, the café has planted 43 trees, built living walls of vines to help with cooling, designed other passive cooling systems, and implemented LED and other eco-friendly lighting solutions.

Gabrielle Louise is a Colorado singer songwriter deeply rooted in Folk who performs an eclectic selection of songs in many different musical styles. Whether she’s serenading or belting out a tango, she relies on her vocal prowess as well as her capacity for entertaining.

Her lyrical songs and storytelling have garnered much praise from the musical community: she’s a two-time John Lennon Songwriting Contest finalist and winner of the Jack Maher Songwriting Award.

Gabrielle Louise will also be submitting a film to this year’s film festival.
Jonny 5 is founding member of Flobots. a Denver-based band whose Top 40 single “Handlebars” led to a major label record contract, multiple tours of the US and Europe, and appearances on late night television (The Tonight Show, Conan O’Brien, Carson Daly).

Founded on a belief in music as a medium for social change, Flobots is committed to using its exposure as a platform from which to advocate for peace, justice, and sustainability.
The show starts at 6 p.m. and runs until 10 p.m., for a ticket price of $15 which includes free desert.

There will be opportunities for speakers, and CEFF will show clips of some of the films screening at this year’s festival.

CEFF will take the opportunity to recognize sponsors and partners at this event, such as Natural Awakenings, a local healthy living magazine.

They have many other exciting partners who will share with the audience and answer questions.
For additional information, please visit the website, www.ceff.net, or contact Danette Dacey Bohl atceffchair@ceff.net.

The Complete 2012 MLK Marade

2012-01-16T23:06:00.001-07:00

See if you can find yourself. Hint: camera was on the north side of Colfax at Gaylord.

Stop Line Infractions

2012-01-11T12:20:00.001-07:00

What with Denver City Council taking up the issue of stop line infractions and their associated fines again, I thought it might be interesting to actually watch traffic to see what people are doing. I set up at 17th and York, which is not one of the 4 current photo locations. I edited out all of the green light passing traffic, and added my own buzzer for those I judged had crossed the line, using the center of the tire as a marker. Note that this intersection has two right-turn-on-red lanes.

17th and York

I noticed some trends:
1. Drivers in the right-turn-on-red lanes hardly ever came to a complete stop before turning. The reason for this is that they can clearly see north on York to determine if it is safe to make the turn on red, and, because of the timing on York, it usually is. I've turned here hundred's of times.
2. Many of the drivers who are not turning stop well behind the line.
3. The first car to stop at the light seems to set the standard for subsequent cars.
4. Many people are driving on under-inflated tires.

When walking, I'm often amazed at drivers who show no concern for the crosswalk and pedestrians. If this is a matter of safety (especially for the blind and handicapped as Councilman Lopez pointed out), let's put these cameras at all stop lights. Of course another issue is whether or not people will actually pay these "fines by mail". If you don't pay, do you think the City is just going to forget about it? City Council should contemplate removing the requirement that these tickets actually be served on the drivers, and thus remove the ambiguity of this so-called "Dumbo tax".

As to whether or not this is a "revenue grab", well, of course it is. What else do you expect from a failing government? As I've said before, get used to it.

Occupy Denver Revealed

2012-01-09T15:43:00.000-07:00

As you know I've been supporting Occupy Denver since the beginning, with my video work at first and by now about 10 food and supplies trips, one using the now-famous Drive-by Drop Off technique (jk). But I've found the GAs tedious - I'm not a big fan of mic check - and although I've talked to some good people "on the row", I haven't really gotten a feel for it, and I've often been turned off by the antics of druggers and drunks.

So it was with a great hurrah that I discovered "Thick socks and Picket Signs", a blog by Locke in Socks, aka Jo Newton. She is a good writer who is reporting from the ground, aka "The Row". Go to the site and scroll down to read some of her entries and you'll get a good feel for what is going down.

AND...the Occupy Denver townhall meeting held yesterday was livestreamed. Unfortunately, much of it was during the Bronco's game and it went on for about 6 hours. Not very many people are going to watch for that long. But thanks to Rob Witte (rwitte42 at ustream.com) for the effort. It's now recorded and broken into 5 segments for viewing.

So to those complaining about lack of direction and/or intrusive personalities, this is your chance to catch up. That's what I've been doing and I'm actually quite impressed and more hopeful for the future of Occupy Denver.

And don't forget Occupy Denver, the official site which has ramped up recently to full-scale relevance.

Occupy Denver Meeting Livestreaming Now

2012-01-08T17:29:00.002-07:00

5:29pm http://www.ustream.tv/channel/occupyden

McKinley's Trail Ride Continues

2012-01-05T16:47:00.000-07:00

A Fund Raiser for Wes McKinley

Wes McKinley has reached his term limit this year (4 terms as Representative - this will be his 8th and last year), but he will be continuing his efforts to protect property rights, maintain accountability in government, ensure liberty and justice for all and guarantee the rights of individuals, as defined by The Constitution. Wes is running for County Commissioner of Las Animas County where property rights, environmental protections and western lifestyle values and heritage are issues upon which he will be able to have a major impact.

Please come and support Wes in his next political endeavor.

Milwaukee Tavern
201 Milwaukee St.
Denver, CO 80206
Friday, January 6th @ 5:30 P.M.
Contact Information: Wes McKinley 719-324-9292

What the Occupy Movement is about

2012-01-05T15:56:00.002-07:00

Local squabbles should not distract us from remembering what the Occupy Movement is all about.

Note that the meeting announced below (from OccupyDenver.org) is not at Civic Center Park. This is a good chance to get involved.

Future of Occupy Denver Meeting 1/8

There will be an open forum, town hall style, meeting THIS Sunday to discuss the future of Occupy Denver.

The meeting is open to anyone who would like to come. This includes occupy friends old and new, who are, or would like to be, invested in the future of Occupy Denver. Those that have a voice and opinion to lend and would like to participate in a respectful open dialogue with their peers are welcome.

Details:
Future of Occupy Denver Open Forum
Sunday January 8th
2:30 pm
1201 Sante Fe Drive
Denver, CO 80204
(this meeting will likely take a long time, plan for 6 hours)

For those interested but not able to make it in person, The meeting will be livestreamed and we are also considering skyping participants in. Due to space constraints, this is likely a good option and is encouraged.
Please contact us if you are interested in the skype option, general@occupydenver.org

Inter-Neighborhood Cooperation (INC) News

2012-01-05T10:05:00.001-07:00

www.denverinc.org

HAPPY 2012 TO ALL!

JANUARY MONTHLY DELEGATE MEETING

When: Saturday, January 14, 2012 marks the first delegate meeting for the year!

Where: The Uptown Lofts, 1509 Pearl St (Near NW Corner Colfax & Pearl) Community Room on 2^nd Floor (Above Pizza Fusion)

Parking: Metered parking on street (Handicap stickers: don’t have to pay), behind Tom’s Diner (across from the Lofts) has paid parking

830A – Coffee & Networking

900A – Welcome and INC program begins

Tour of the building project after the meeting

ANNUAL DINNER RESERVATION REMINDER

INC’s Annual Neighborhood Awards Dinner is January 19. Reservations are required to attend. Please call or email your reservations by January 9. dinner@DenverINC.org or call 303.331.9241

PRECINCT LINES FINALIZED FOR THE CITY AND COUNTY OF DENVER

Boundaries redrawn in response to population changes following 2010 Census

(Denver) – All new precinct boundaries have been finalized for Denver. Denver will have 344 precincts, versus the 429 precincts it currently has. The new precinct lines follow state house and senate district lines and also follow the city’s major neighborhood lines.

By law, precincts may have no more than 1,500 active voters in them. Denver’s new precincts average 670 active voters or 805 total active and inactive-failed-to-vote voters. Larger precincts are located in low-growth areas of the city. In high-growth areas, smaller precincts were created to allow for expected growth in the coming years.

Redrawing of political boundaries occurs every ten years, following the federal Census, in response to population and demographic shifts. Congressional districts are finalized first, then state districts, after which counties redraw their precincts.

The Denver Elections Division held a public hearing December 1 and received public response on two different alternatives for redrawing precinct boundaries. This was followed by additional discussion with the two major parties. The final plan included a number of changes in response to all feedback received.

The new precinct lines will go into effect January 6, 2012, one month ahead of party caucuses. The Elections Division will mail a notification to all voters in mid-January, informing them of their new districts and precincts.

Denver City Council redistricting will occur in spring 2012 based upon the new precinct lines. Denver Public Schools will also redistrict in 2012. Maps of the new precinct lines are available atDenverVotes.org.

LOCAL EMERGENCY PLANNING COMMITTEE (LEPC) QUARTERLY MEETING

When: Tuesday, January 24, 2012 2:00 PM-4:00 PM (GMT-07:00) Mountain Time (US & Canada).

Where: Denver Police District One Community Room - 1311 W 46th Ave, Denver, CO 80211

Quarterly meeting of the Local Emergency Planning Committee. Anyone is welcome to attend these meeting but must RSVP to ensure adequate seating, food and handouts.

RSVP to Pat Williams, patricia.williams2@denvergov.org by Jan 22nd.

FREE TREES OFFERED TO ALL DENVER RESIDENTS THIS SPRING

Applications Due Feb. 15, 2012

DENVER, CO – This spring only, all Denver residents are eligible for free trees regardless of where they live within the city. This rare opportunity is made possible by two tree distribution programs: The Park People’s annual Denver Digs Trees street tree program and the City’s Mile High Million tree planting initiative.

Any resident of the City and County of Denver can apply for free trees to plant along the street in the public right-of-way. Additionally, those who have space for trees on the west side of their homes – whether in front, back, or side yards or along the street – are eligible to have trees delivered and planted for them.

Availability will be limited, so apply no later than February 15, 2012. Visit www.theparkpeople.org or call 303-722-6262 for application information.

The Denver Digs Trees program is able to offer free street trees to all Denver residents this spring thanks to a partnership with Denver Parks and Recreation Forestry Division and the sponsorship of Xcel Energy Foundation and the City of Denver’s Office of Economic Development. The Mile High Million’s Trees for Energy Savings program is made possible with funding from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act.

DENVER HOMELESS TRANSITION PROGRAM

DHTP exists to provide the offender who is paroling homeless an opportunity to establish employment and residence prior to parole release.

DHTP is a program that serves offenders within 9 months of their release date who would otherwise parole homeless. The program is a collaborative effort between the Department of Corrections, Division of Criminal Justice, the Denver Community Corrections Board, and the Denver Sheriff Department that provides improved transition and discharge planning for individuals who would otherwise parole homeless to the City and County of Denver.

DHTP is based out of the Denver County Jail, under the command of Captain Phazaria Koonce. Two case workers and support staff, work with the community partners and others to assist offenders in preparing for release and in locating both housing and employment prior to offenders’ parole, and in the process, enable participants to access a wide variety of helpful services.

Participants have the assistance of the DOC re-entry and Phase I staff in preparing for and securing employment, budget planning, locating housing and other resources, and help participants secure necessary identity documents, etc.

For more information: Susan Herschel, Denver Sheriff Department

Office: 720-865-4035, susan.herschel@denvergov.org

The Naysayer - Jan 2012 - Phil Goodstein

2012-01-04T15:33:00.000-07:00

(Click to enlarge or use control+)

Happy New Year!

2012-01-01T13:35:00.000-07:00

Thanks to all who visited Denver Direct to give us our best year yet. May we all survive another year in the crumbling empire!

Occupy Albany - Great Video

2011-12-30T08:55:00.001-07:00

In Denver, be sure to come to the March to End the War on Drugs tomorrow, Saturday, Dec 31, noon, at Civic Center Park. It's going to be a beautiful windy day - time for all the jokers, tokers, and midnight smokers to get off the couch and join the march!

March to End the War on Drugs (Occupy Denver)

2011-12-29T12:14:00.001-07:00

Saturday, Dec. 31 - 12:00pm until 3:00pm - Start at Civic Center Park - Colfax and Broadway

Like most wars, we think this one has done more harm then good and has gone on for way too long. It needs to END!!!!!!!!!!!

Alcoholism... Drug Addiction... These are HEALTH issues, not legal ones. So why has money been endlessly poured into convicting drug crimes rather than educating people and paying for treatment of these conditions??!! Because there is BIG PROFIT to be made on the enforcement of drug laws and the punishment for breaking them. Not to mention big business/ government relationships with foreign cartels!

The War on Drugs has filled our prisons with nonviolent "offenders" and has cost this country Billions. It's been used to trample civil rights and profit from misery all around. Drug addiction is a disease that needs to be treated by medical professionals or any of the many 12-step programs out there. It's a giant waste of time and money to treat addiction in jails and prisons.

Drug addicts are treated unequally, under current law. Rush Limbaugh got a pass for gobbling down Vicodin and Oxycontin like it was popcorn. Then, he bragged about how he was morally superior to other addicts, espousing how "poor" addicts go to prison. For once, he spoke the truth.

There is a massive disconnect in our country between the reality of substance problems and they are treated. But we now see who benefits from the way it has been for so long.

.................................. The 1% ...........................................

We think it's time to end this benefit to our oppressors.

Won't you stand with us?

#Occupy

Recreation Centers

2011-12-27T10:04:00.002-07:00

Memberships & Fees

REGIONAL CENTERS
Membership at this Level includes full access to all Regional Centers as well as all Local and Neighborhood Centers.
Age Group	Annual Membership	30 Visit Pass	15 Visit Pass	Single Visit Pass
Youth (2-17)	$50.00	$42.00	$25.50	$2.00
Young Adult (18-24)	$270.00	$105.00	$63.75	$5.00
Adult (25-64)	$369.00	$126.00	$76.00	$6.00
Person with Disability & 65+	$119.00	$84.00	$51.00	$4.00

LOCAL CENTERS
Membership at this Level includes full access to all Local Centers, as well as all Neighborhood Centers.
Age Group	Annual Membership	30 Visit Pass	15 Visit Pass	Single Visit Pass
Youth (2-17)	$42.00	$31.50	$19.00	$1.50
Young Adult (18-24)	$180.00	$84.00	$51.00	$4.00
Adult (25-64)	$249.00	$115.50	$70.00	$5.50
Person with Disability & 65+	$99.00	$63.00	$38.50	$3.00

NEIGHBORHOOD CENTERS
Membership at this Level includes full access to all Neighborhood Centers.
Age Group	Annual Membership	30 Visit Pass	15 Visit Pass	Single Visit Pass
Youth (2-17)	$35.00	$21.00	$12.75	$1.00
Young Adult (18-24)	$135.00	$63.00	$38.25	$3.00
Adult (25-64)	$190.00	$105.50	$64.00	$5.00
Person with Disability & 65+	$85.00	$42.00	$25.50	$2.00

Occupy Denver Driveby Drop Off

2011-12-23T16:24:00.000-07:00

If you've been following Occupy Denver, you may be aware that police have been ticketing supporters for stopping to drop off contributions and/or honking in support. I had dropped off supplies during the early weeks but couldn't rationalize getting a ticket with this new DPD selective enforcement policy in place. So I tried to figure out a way I could get some supplies to them (by myself) and minimize the chances I'd be ticketed. The vidie above demonstrates how I did it.

(Sorry I missed the "money shot" of the bag falling from the window, but you can hear the window opening and the Occupier shouting thanks.) I'm not recommending that anyone else try this. Obviously there are other infractions for which I could have been stopped - littering comes to mind.

I am also aware that there has been considerable complaining from those who disagree with what OD has been doing lately and how they have been doing it. Yes, I've been down there and witnessed drunkenness, pot smoking, and crazies yelling at each other. But know this: as long as there are people of any description continuing to Occupy Denver, I will do my damnedest to support them in any way I can.

More current Livestreaming now

2011-12-17T11:34:00.000-07:00

Update: 5:19pm OWS at Times Square - cops preparing for another mass arrest attempt. This is getting addicting. WALL STREET, TIMES SQUARE, OCCUPY EVERYWHERE!!

Update: 4:43pm - Cops on horseback.

Update: 4:25 pm (Denver) Police kettle failed, occupiers back in the streets.

Update: OWS running on 7th Ave against the traffic. Cops helpless.

Update: NYPD screwing up big time now - 1:47pm (Denver)

If you are interested in the livestreaming phenomenon, check this out ttp://www.ustream.tv/theother99. It's the best I've seen so far. Tim says he is using an iPhone (4s) with external battery, and a 4G connection.

Livestream from Occupy Denver - 11:31 am

2011-12-15T11:33:00.001-07:00

http://www.ustream.tv/channel/denver99

Also see http://www.kdvr.com/news/kdvr-occupy-denver-protesters-homeless-told-to-move-their-stuff-or-else-20111214,0,5475348.story

Update from OccupyDenver FB:

Occupy Denver

Police Chief White just came down himself and stated that he wishes to have a conversation with us (up to 10 of our committee representatives) on Monday. He said that the encumbrances are a problem and they must go, or else action will be taken. He said he's coming back for the 7:00 PM G.A. Here's some recorded video... mostly audio actually... Chief White starts about 01:30 in, gets on the people's mic at 05:30 >>> http://www.ustream.tv/recorded/19166171 <<< Not sure what's going to happen next!!! -- #Occupy Forever

From Occupy Denver Facebook Page

2011-12-14T16:16:00.001-07:00

Occupy Denver

Sure, it MAY be a coincidence that we had just announced to march on our state Senators tomorrow AND that it just so happens to be 'National Bill of Rights Day' and we got served this notice. Either way ------ WE STAND!!! ---- First off .... 24/7 (Family of Love) is asking for donations of wood to fortify their part of the occupation camp. Second.... We 'll be growing some Tent Monsters on site (Grrrr....) to welcome our oppressors ~~~ Please come down by 10:00 am if you want to be a tent monster. And Lastly... This Saturday is #D17 National Day of Action in which Occupy Wall Street will be officially re-Occupying at Duarte Park in New York. Isn't it fitting that one of the first cities to get violently evicted (Denver) is called to stand up for their 1st Amendment right to Occupy space first, again??? COINCIDENCE??? ~ Hope to see you ALL TOMORROW!!! -- P.s. this march is STILL ON ----> http://www.facebook.com/events/150180398417919/ -- (take THAT, 1%)

Flash Mob Merry Christmas

2011-12-12T09:35:00.002-07:00

Occupy Singer

2011-12-07T17:16:00.001-07:00

Sometimes it's really great being the editor/videographer for this blog. Like when an unexpected email comes in from someone you've never heard of who is talented, bright, and creative, and who supports the Occupy movement. The vidie below blew me away, not just because of its cinematic art, but because of the talent and beauty of Gabrielle Louise. Thank you, Gabrielle, for sharing with us.

I spent the next hour enjoying her work, and then this:

Just the singing

Author Welsome to speak

2011-12-06T09:13:00.001-07:00

Editor's note: Eileen Welsome wrote the Westword 3-part series "Lowdown on Lowry" revealing the secret deal that allowed the major polluters to flush toxic waste into Denver sewers, which now flow to our lakes and fields through the Purple Pipes.

Denver Chapter Annual Meeting

When:
Saturday, December 10, 2011 from 10 am -12 Noon
Where:
The Kirk (Church) of Bonnie Brae, 1201 S. Steele, Denver, CO

Special Speaker:
Pulitzer Prize Winning Writer
Eileen Welsome
Topic:
Denver's Healthcare Roots

Eileen Welsome

Eileen Welsome is an author and investigative reporter who lives in Denver, Colorado. She has won more than two dozen national awards for her work, including the Pulitzer Prize in national reporting, the George Polk Award, and two PEN awards. Her previous books were The Plutonium Files, and The General and the Jaguar.

Her latest book, “Healers and Hellraisers” tells the history of health care in Denver and specifically the story of the institution that is now Denver Health. It begins in March of 1860, before Denver even had a city government and tells how a small frontier hospital, which provided medical care to the injured and indigent and was largely supported by charitable contributions, grew to become Denver Health. Healers and Hellraisers is not a corporate history, but an absorbing tale that recounts the hospital's near-death experiences, its numerous rebirths, and the internal struggles that helped shaped it into the powerhouse that it is today. Through epidemics and pandemics, economic recessions and depressions, extraordinary technological and medical changes, Denver Health survived. Eileen's presentation will include great early photos.

Following the program you will have an opportunity to purchase a copy of her book and have it autographed. The book was published by the Denver Health Foundation and is part of their fund raising program.

If we are going to successfully reform health care it is important to understand our history of health care.

Occupy DC Livestream now

2011-12-04T18:15:00.001-07:00

Livestream here: http://www.ustream.tv/channel/occupywashdc

Denver time
6:14pm Cops attempting to remove (with cherry picker) an occupier from roof of structure occupiers built today

Philly cops use "Trigger" in Occupy crowd control

2011-11-30T10:01:00.001-07:00

Occupy LA preparing for police invasion

2011-11-29T22:54:00.001-07:00

Denver time
10:54pm Livestream here and here.

Occupy Unity takes over Washington State capitol in Olympia, WA

2011-11-28T20:35:00.001-07:00

Live stream here: http://www.livestream.com/occupyunity

Denver time
8:36pm Cops picking off protestors and hauling them off.
8:43pm Softly singing "which side are you on". Good percussion. Cops continue to quietly removed seated occupiers.
8:47pm Cop grabs uplink laptop - livestream stopped.
8:57pm Occupiers being taken away in buses - reportedly not being arrested but "detained".

Occupy Denver Friday, Nov 25, 2011

2011-11-28T16:52:00.001-07:00

We went down to the Civic Center Park Friday evening for the Sand Creek Healing Ceremony held at the Wheel sculpture in front of the Art Museum. A group of about 50 Indians gathered to conduct this solemn remembrance of the Chivington Massacre in 1873.

We strolled over to the Occupy Denver site and caught some footage of a GA with a group of about 20 talking about getting a source of power to recharge their batteries, and their dedication to the movement. It was cold, and about 20 other Occupiers had turned in for the night, doing the best that they could under the circumstances dictated by Mayor Hancock and the Denver Police Department (no structures!)

Knowing that these folks are out there every night weighs heavily on me. I've taken coats and tarps and plastic and food donations down there from time to time, but much of it has been swept away by the DPD raids. They are down to a bare minimum, and you'll get a ticket if you stop on Broadway to drop off donations. A minimum of 6 police cars seems to be there all the time. Selective enforcement of the law to the max!

It takes dedication to subject yourself to these conditions if you have a choice. Some of these folks have little choice, and some could go home tonight if they wanted to. But they don't. I've heard that there is an Occupy Denver house where some are staying, but I've had no verification of that.

The biggest crowd was in the park for the Christmas lighting of the City and County building. I've never understood Denver's urge to light this building with the most garish display of all time, and I marvel at those who come out to see it every year. I could hear the crowd oooing and the bells playing, but I really had no desire to participate.

The 3 events added together in an unpleasant way. America - land of contradictions!

PRESS RELEASE

2011-11-28T14:05:00.001-07:00

DENVER POLICE DEPARTMENT

Gerald R. Whitman, Chief of Police

The mission of the Denver Police Department is to deliver high quality public

safety services so all people may share a safe and healthy environment.

PRESS RELEASE

For Immediate Release

Date: November 22, 2011

To: All Denver Police Officers, Media, Denver City Council, and Denver Community Associations.

Contact: Sonny Jackson

Address: Office of the Chief

1331 Cherokee St., Denver, CO 80204

Phone: 720-913-6534

Fax: 720-913-7021

Purse Snatching

On November 21, 2011, Denver Police responded to the Cherry Creek Mall on a purse snatching. The investigation revealed the suspect was loitering in the vestibule. As the elderly victim was leaving the store, the suspect ran his shoulder into the victim knocking her to her knees, causing injury. He then grabbed the victim’s purse and dragged the victim out the exterior doors. The victim released her purse and the suspect ran Southbound across the parking lot.

The Denver Police Department is asking for anyone who witnesses this for the suspect to Crime Stoppers at 720-913-STOP (7867).

Holiday Safety Tips Reminder

As we are approaching the holiday shopping season. The Denver Police Department would like to wish everyone a Safe and Happy Holiday Season. We would like everyone to take some special precautions to assure their personal safety and have an enjoyable Holiday Season. We have listed some tips to help keep you safe while shopping.

Dress Down:
Dress casually and comfortably. Avoid wearing expensive jewelry.

Shop Together:
Shop with friends and family. Try not to shop alone, especially at night.

Educate Your Kids:
Teach kids what to do if you get separated. Tell them to find a store clerk or security person.

Communicate:
Tell someone where you are going and how long you will be gone. Let them know if you change your schedule.

Park Smart:
Park close to the store. Avoid dark and secluded areas.

Lock the Car:
Keep doors locked and windows closed. Remember your keys.

Stay Alert:
Remember where you park your car. Be aware of suspicious cars and people.

Watch Your Purse:
Hold your purse close to your body or use a front pocket if carrying a wallet. Preferably wear a fanny pack.

Avoid Cash:
Never flash large amounts of money. Try to use checks or credit cards instead of cash.

Use Credit Cards Safely:
Beware of identity theft and keep receipts safe. Record credit card numbers at home and guard PIN numbers.

Shop in Small Doses:
Make regular trips to the car. Avoid carrying too many packages that put you off balance and make you a target.

Returning to the Parking Lot:
Have your car keys out when returning to your car. Check the back seat and under the car before getting in.

Hide Packages:
Store packages in the trunk of the car. Put your packages in the trunk before you drive to your next location not when you arrive. Never leave them visible inside the car.

Act:
Never go home if you think you are being followed or if you feel threatened. Go to a busy well-lit safe place.

Don’t Play Hero:
Comply with a thief’s demands. Record an accurate description for law enforcement: height, weight, eye color, hair color, scars, tattoos, clothing, and license plate.

Sonny Jackson

Occupy

2011-11-26T16:40:00.001-07:00

HOLIDAY IN THE POINTS LIGHTS UP WELTON STREET

2011-11-22T08:45:00.001-07:00

DENVER – The Five Points Business District will host their second annual holiday celebration, “Holiday in the Points,” on Saturday, Nov. 26.

Open to the public, Holiday in the Points will kick off the holiday season with an array of festive, family-friendly activities and a wonderful lighting display.

Key features of this year’s celebration include photos with Santa Claus, holiday-themed arts and crafts stations provided by the Colorado Creative Giving T.A.B.L.E. and a light display called “Art of Light.” Firefighters from Denver Fire Department Station No. 3 will make an appearance with their fire engine. Live music performances and holiday specials will be featured at Coffee at the Point.

Dante James, interim executive director of the business district said, “We are thrilled to host Holiday in the Points for the second year. This event is really an extension of our larger vision to promote a diverse community by making Welton Street and surrounding areas a great place to live, work, shop, learn and play. We encourage any and all to attend to get into the holiday spirit and soak up a little of the history Welton Street has to offer.”

WHO: The Five Points Business District
WHAT: Second Annual Holiday in the Points celebration
WHERE: Arts and crafts and Santa Claus: HALO Center for Youth, 2758 Welton St.
Art of Light: On Welton Street between 25th and 28th Avenues
WHEN: Saturday, November 26, 2011
Arts and crafts and Santa Claus: 4:00 pm to 6:00 pm, Art of Light will follow
At 6:00 pm.
ADMISSION: Free

Holiday in the Points is part of a larger, ongoing effort by the Five Points Business District to promote awareness, use and revitalization of the historic Welton Street corridor.

About the Five Points Business District
The Five Points Business District (FPBD) is responsible for the growth and development of Denver, Colorado’s historic Welton Street and the promotion and economic empowerment of the broader Five Points community. Funded in part by Denver’s Office of Economic Development, the office is part of the city’s Neighborhood Marketplace Initiative. The work of the FPBD is a comprehensive effort that incorporates Business Development, the Promotion of Art and Culture, Historic Neighborhood Preservation and the Greater Good of the community. For additional information on FPBD, visit www.fivepointsbiz.org.

Sponsors: Five Points Business District, Councilman Albus Brooks, Civil Technology, Inc., Welton Street Pedestrian Maintenance Mall District, Whittier Neighborhood Association, Coffee at the Point and Halo Foundation.

13th Annual Sand Creek Massacre Spiritual Healing Run

2011-11-22T08:36:00.001-07:00

The 13th Annual Sand Creek Massacre Spiritual Healing Run begins Thursday November 24, 2011, at the Sand Creek Massacre National Historic Site. The run is an annual event coordinated by the Northern Cheyenne Tribe of Montana with support from the Northern Arapaho Tribe of Wyoming, the Southern Cheyenne and Arapaho Tribes of Oklahoma, the National Park Service, Town of Eads, Kiowa County, the Denver organizing committee, and History Colorado to honor those killed at the massacre. This year’s event marks the 147th Anniversary of the Sand Creek Massacre.
Activities associated with the run will commence with a Prayer Ceremony at the Sand Creek Massacre National Historic Site. The event will conclude in the afternoon of Saturday, November 26, on the steps of the west lawn of the Colorado State Capitol, followed by a reception for participants at the Denver Indian Center.

Schedule of events: (all times are approximate)
Thursday, Nov. 24
9 AM - Pipe Ceremony and prayer at the Sand Creek Massacre National Historic Site 55411 County Road W - Approximately 8 miles north of the intersection of Kiowa County Road 54 and State Highway 96, near the town of Chivington CO.
Runners will be blessed and the annual Spiritual Healing Run to Denver will commence, followed by a meal in Eads, CO.
Friday, Nov. 25
7 AM - Sunrise Ceremony – To Be Determined, The ‘Healing Run’ will continue on to Denver.
7 PM - Candlelight Vigil at the Denver Art Museum Wheel sculpture,100 West 14th Avenue Parkway, Denver, CO.
Saturday, Nov. 26
8 AM - Honoring Ceremony at Riverside Cemetery, 5201 Brighton Boulevard, Denver, for Captain Silas Soule, and Lt. Joseph A. Cramer, U.S. Army. Both men instructed their troops not to fire at the massacre.
9 AM - Continue ‘Healing Run’ from Riverside Cemetery to 15th and Arapahoe, Denver, CO.
9:50 AM – At 15th and Arapahoe — near the site where Captain Silas Soule was assassinated — the runners will join with walkers and continue on to the Colorado State Capitol Building.
11 AM - Presentation on the steps of the Colorado State Capitol Building (West Lawn side) 4 miles distance – MUST REGISTER TO RUN
Noon reception - Location To Be Determined
For additional information about the Annual Sand Creek Massacre Spiritual Healing Run/Walk, please call run organizer Otto Braided Hair (406) 749 4325.

EXPERIENCE YOUR AMERICA™
The National Park Service cares for special places saved by the American people so that all may experience our heritage.

To learn more contact Sand Creek Massacre National Historic Site at 719-438-5916 or www.nps.gov/sand .
The Sand Creek Massacre site is located at 55411 County Road W, 23 miles from Eads, CO. To drive to the site take Colorado Hwy. 287 near Eads, or west off Hwy 385 at Sheridan Lake. Near Chivington, turn north onto Chief White Antelope Way (County Road 54) or at Brandon, turn north onto County Road 59. Follow either road to its entrance with County Road W, one mile east (right) of its intersection with County Road 54, or several miles west (left) of County Rd. 59. Hours of operation at the site are from Monday through Friday from 9 AM to 4 PM. The park headquarters is located at 910 Wansted, in Eads, CO. The hours of operation at the park headquarters are Monday through Friday from 8 AM to 5 PM except Federal holidays.

Denver Police Urge Reporting Suspicious Actions Downtown

2011-11-19T15:15:00.001-07:00

For Immediate Release

Date: November 16, 2011
To: Denver Police Officers, Denver City Council
Media, Denver Community Organizations
Contact: Detective John White #98046
Address: Office of the Chief
1331 Cherokee St., Denver, CO 80204
Email: dpdpio@ci.denver.co.us
Phone: 720-913-6028
Fax: 720-913-7021

(Denver) Denver Police are reminding citizens to be vigilant and report suspicious activity while in downtown area.

Over the past several months, groups of individuals have displayed predatory behavior while in the Denver downtown area. In some instances, victims have been assaulted and/or robbed. These suspects instigate contact with the victims and create confrontational situations. The suspect is then joined by several other individuals and assault and/or rob the victim(s). There have been 15 incidents reported from August 1, 2011 through November 9, 2011 in the downtown area.

Information on several of these assaults has been released previously by the Denver Police Department and do not appear to be racially motivated. While there has not been a recent assault over the past few weeks, the previous attacks were occurring almost weekly and at least one suspect has been involved in multiple incidents.

Ch31 news report here

We do believe that there have been instances where the assaults have been captured on camera by bystanders. We are asking those people to come forward and provide us with the footage. This new information could assist investigators and prevent others from possibly being victimized.

No arrests have been made at this time.

Anyone with information regarding these incidents or if you have been a victim of this type of crime, please call Crime Stoppers at 720-913-STOP (7867). You can text to: CRIMES (274637) then title DMCS and enter your message or send an e-mail to metro-denvercrimestoppers.com. If the information you provide leads to the arrest and charging of a wanted individual, you can receive a cash award up to $2,000.

*Please find the attached map. Video footage is also available upon request at the Denver Police Headquarters information desk.

Below is a list of safety tips while walking:

· Be aware of your surroundings.
· Walk only on busy, well-lighted streets, even if it makes the trip a little longer.
· Avoid shortcuts through parking lots, alleys or parks.
· If you feel you are being followed, cross the street or begin walking in a different direction. Walk toward lighted, more populated areas.
· If a vehicle is following you, turn and run in the opposite direction. The driver will have to turn around before continuing to follow you, buying you time to make it to safety.

Occupy Denver live stream now

2011-11-19T13:11:00.001-07:00

Go to Ustream (30 sec ad)

Freezes up, inconsistent, but the best we've got.

1:49pm Offair - but thanks for trying. Upgrade and come back.
2:03pm Back up

Occupy

2011-11-19T11:40:00.001-07:00

Occupy Denver 11-17-11

2011-11-17T17:34:00.001-07:00

http://www.ustream.tv/channel/denver99 (6 viewers)

OWS taking over the streets in NYC

2011-11-17T14:14:00.001-07:00

http://www.ustream.tv/theother99 (22,000 viewers)

"Whose streets? Our streets!"
Police trying to set up barriers in front of crowd. People knocking down barriers. DAY OF ACTION!

100 cops trying to hold back 3000 marchers. FAIL.

2:29pm Black Block spotted.
2:36pm Marchers back in action with drums at front.
3:26pm Marchers still at it - about to converge with unions at Foley Square.

Helicopter shot at http://www.ustream.tv/cbsnews

Marchers are going to head toward the bridges. Police are said to be waiting for them. This real-time live streaming is exciting.

3:58pm Tim (live-stream operator) is denied access to speaker by OWS security. Group now headed toward Brooklyn Bridge.
4:00pm Air space reportedly being cleared.
4:04pm Union workers with linked arms surround and block police.
4:10pm Police gathered to block bridge. (Your edit in italics - This is what a police state looks like. Can martial law be far behind?)
4:14pm Marching band ahead in march, providing nice sound track.
4:22pm Police blocking bridge. More barricades being delivered. (Are the police going to arrest thousands?)

Nov 17th - A day of live streaming

2011-11-17T08:02:00.001-07:00

If you can't come to the Webb building today for the International Day of Action, try the next best thing - live streaming.

Denver - http://www.thescoop303.com/denver-live-stream/

NYC - http://www.livestream.com/owsnyc

NYC helicopter - http://abclocal.go.com/wabc/livenow?id=8435340

Occupy Denver - Be There

2011-11-16T18:37:00.001-07:00

November 17: 60 Days of Action
We have reached a pivotal moment in history, as we find ourselves on the threshold of a great and lasting change. We at Occupy Denver stand in solidarity with Occupy Wall Street and all occupations across the country and around the world. The accelerated and coordinated efforts to destroy the Occupy movement, evidenced by the forceful actions taken against the occupiers in Zucotti Park and other cities, are confirmation that the Occupy movement is working.
These actions will not stop us; they will only make us stronger. This has brought us to the precipice of tremendous change, a change for the better. We believe and know what is right and good and thus we will take that next step.
The Occupy movement stands in sharp contrast to the forces that are being marshaled against us. When they use force, we use nonviolence. When they try to isolate us, we build community. When they move against us, we call for peace and cooperation.

Together, we are standing up and speaking out for the rights guaranteed by our Constitution: the right of free assembly, the right of free speech, the right of free press. We affirm that all people are created equal and have the right to share in the prosperity of our great nation. Without such rights, then what have we? We are committed to ending the corruption of our government and restoring political power to the people. We believe that our country, and our world, can be a better place and that we must work together to make this happen. To those already standing with us: we ask that you continue to stand strong. You are making the difference. To all the rest: we need for you to join us. We need individuals and organizations from every corner of the country to join the Occupy movement now.

We call upon you who have been silent: Speak and be heard.
We call upon you who have not stood up for what you believe in: Stand and be seen.
We call upon you who have yet to put your needs on paper. Write and be counted.

Make the difference and bring about the change you want to see! Join us at noon tomorrow, November 17, at Civic Center Park as we celebrate the two month anniversary of Occupy Wall Street and the nearly 2,000 Occupy movements that have sprung up around the world. There has been a coordinated effort to silence the voices of the 99%, Mayor Hancock and the Denver Police Department are scared of an awakened populace. We will call attention to the Mayor’s decision to violently crackdown on Occupy Denver. We will present alternatives and show the contrast with other communities around the country and how their local governments have supported the 99% rather than attempt to silence the voice of their constituents. There will then be a 6 p.m. rally at Occupy Denver after which we will conduct a General Assembly where we will discuss the Occupy movement as a whole and how we should progress over the coming months. So come out, have your voices heard and once again stand up for freedom, for justice, and for the future of our world. United we stand!

Living (and driving) in a police state

2011-11-15T12:09:00.001-07:00

I was down at Occupy Denver (Colfax and Broadway) a few weeks ago and saw a woman making a new sign. The sign read "Are we living in a police state?" I paused, and she looked up, smiling. Conversation ensued. I realized that she had no idea that she was already living in a police state; the here and now of Denver Colorado. See also.

It is not that hard to live in a police state if you know the rules. You must know and live by their rules. This is for your own health and safety, as the authorities have pointed out to you countless times.

1. Spend most of your free time at home. You are probably already doing this.
- do not raise your voice or play your music loud.
- don't get falling down drunk or beat your wife or children.
- be aware that your neighbors already find you suspicious and are poised to dial 911.
- go outside and walk around your house at night. See how much can be seen. Note dark areas of your property. Carry a maglight as needed.
- protect yourself against home-invasion (which is becoming increasingly popular). I'll be expanding on this theme later in a separate post.

2. If you must go out by car, make sure you have every last regulation regarding the use of your vehicle on their streets fulfilled and executed down to the letter. For example,
- did you know it's a $90.00 fine if you have your registration in the car BUT HAVE NOT SIGNED IT. That's right, check yours, turn it over and see if you have signed it properly.
- and, hello, no outstanding tickets, warrants, or other things that can easily be looked up by an officer with a laptop. You must inquire for yourself and pay all of this off before you drive. If you don't, you are asking for it.
- do not slow down or stop to drop off supplies at Occupy Denver on Broadway. They are now ticketing for this infraction.
- At stoplights and signs, stop your vehicle completely and well back of the crosswalk line. This is hard to learn after a lifetime of rolling stops but the photo cameras are already in place and being used to ticket you for this infraction. Denver City Council even discussed whether or not there should be some allowable (1 or 2 inches) infraction. Their answer was NO, and be aware that the camera angle can make a difference, so stay back far enough that you can see the entire line on the street in front of you.

Yes, that's me going 40 mph in a 30 mph zone on 17th.
And yes, I paid the ticket (aka Dumbo tax)

- know the speed limit and never exceed it, even when passing. Beware of speed limit change-ups designed to catch you going the wrong speed, and mismatched speed limits much lower than the physical road was designed for.
- make sure your license plate is tightly mounted with slot-less bolts, and that all of your car lights are working.
- if stopped, never consent to a search - actively say that you do not consent.

3. If you must go out on foot, again, you must obey all the rules.
- do not jay-walk. Selective law enforcement makes its use rare but available if they want to "detain" you.
- do not walk on the grass in parks.
- do not wear outlandish or unusual clothes or outfits. Unless of course, you want to be singled-out and beaten.
- do not wear jewelry or expensive shoes, unless you can afford to loose them.
- always carry photo ID.
- never carry more cash than you can afford to lose. You may risk offending the holdup man if you have nothing, so take just enough to satisfy him so he won't kill you for being so cheap. A $20 bill will do.
- never carry any hidden weapons. Carry your gun in a visible holster if it is legal in your state.
- never carry any contraband, which by definition, is stuff you shouldn't carry.
- do not even think about going out if you are intoxicated beyond control in "keep your mouth shut" situations.
- always be aware - look out your window before you go out your door.
- assume there are people out there who mean to do you harm.
- walk with a purpose, your body language is important and can be a deterrent.
- keep your head up and scanning. In Denver (Capitol Hill) thugs hide behind large trees in the street verge with aluminum baseball bats and take you down in one blow from behind. True.
- pay attention to the traffic lights. Do not cross against the light even if there is no traffic.
- remember that you may be on camera. See "halo" cameras on Colfax.
- beware of any curfews that prohibit your presence at certain times of day.

4. General considerations:
- don't fool yourself.
- all phones (landlines) are tapped, i.e., they all go to the Central Office where they can easily be picked out and listened to or recorded. Don't imagine that they need a warrant to do this - those days are gone.
- all emails are examined by computers for key words. Those containing key words are then read by humans.
- all emails are saved, and deleting them on your computer does not remove them from the email servers.
- act as if you are under surveillance. You may be. The good news is that you are probably not important enough to warrant specific surveillance.
- in the city, someone is always watching.
- prepare for the worst. When it doesn't happen, you'll feel good. If it does happen, you'll be prepared.

If you think things might get worse before they get better, you may want to read this book - Surviving in Argentina.

Occupy Wall Street under siege

2011-11-14T23:16:00.001-07:00

11:15pm "Zucotti Park, NYC is getting evicted. Spread the news. Tweet, FB. Whole world needs to know it RIGHT NOW. They are attacking heart of our movement."

1)http://www.livestream.com/globalrevolution - mayhem

11:28pm 2)http://www.ustream.tv/cbsnews view from above - looks live - police walking around in park

11:29pm Zuccatti Park surrounded - eviction soon?

11:37pm Cops in small groups arresting individuals and marching them away.

11:43pm site#2 has two camera. One woman screaming "don't touch me".

11:46pm site@2 - NYPD white shirts in evidence. Banjo music playing. Site#2 showing picture of US Capitol.

11:53pm New site - http://www.livestream.com/occupywallstnyc. Site #2 reportedly refueling helicopter.

11:56pm - Site#2 has helicopter back in the air - but no picture.

12:03am - Site#1 - Cops destroying camps - arresting individuals without take down.

12:05am - News helicopters reportedly ordered out of airspace.

12:06am - Large dump trucks pulling up.

12:19am - Loud bangs - smoke/teargas?

12:24am - Radio on the ground - trying to get to park but press not allowed. http://www.wbai.org/

12:31am - People massing at Wall Street Bull.

12:34am - Police reportedly denying credentialed press access.

12:51am - 300 people at Broadway and Pine pushing back against police - blocking trash trucks from leaving.

1:20am - If only the people running the live stream knew how to operate a camera. Over and out.

ACTION ALERT: Board of Health Patient Rulemaking Hearing (11/16)

2011-11-14T14:00:00.001-07:00

The Colorado Board of Health will hold a rulemaking hearing on Wed., Nov. 16, concerning changes to the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment's rules and regulations regarding medical marijuana. One of the main topics is a proposal to lower the patient Registry fee from $90 to $35. The Board will also discuss modifying the patient indigence standard and clarifying the definition of "in good standing" for physicians, in accordance with House Bill 11-1043

FULL DETAILS HERE:
http://www.cdphe.state.co.us/op/bh/

WHAT YOU CAN DO:

1) ATTEND HEARING
Board of Health Public Rulemaking Hearing
Wed., Nov. 16, 2011
Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment
Sabin Conference Room, Building A - 1st Floor
4300 Cherry Creek Drive South Denver, CO
Time: Approx. 10:30am. The agenda says the MMJ rulemaking hearing will commence at 10:30am, but this is only an estimate, so if you want to testify in person, please show up early.

2) EMAIL COMMENTS
1) Cut and paste the CTI's Sample Comments, or write comments of your own.
2) Email it before Nov. 16, 2011 at 9:00am to: cdphe.edobohcomments_IndigenceFeesDoctorLic@state.co.us

SAMPLE COMMENTS
To: cdphe.edobohcomments_IndigenceFeesDoctorLic@state.co.us
Subject: MMJ Rulemaking Hearing (Nov. 16, 2011)

Dear Colorado Board of Health:
I support lowering the fees for medical marijuana patients from $90/year to $35/year. However, I am concerned about the security of the Registry and its confidentiality. I understand CDPHE is currently working to make parts of the Registry accessible online to the DOR Medical Marijuana Criminal Enforcement Division and other law enforcement agencies. Once any portion of the Registry is available online to other agencies, it opens the Registry up to possible compromise. Given that there have been several unexplained breaches of the Registry security in the past, I would like to know how you will prevent hackers from going online and stealing the Registry or parts of it? What portion of the patient's fees currently goes to making sure the Registry remains confidential? Patients will only use the optional state Registry if they are certain their identity will remain private and secure.

Sincerely,

Your Name

3) COPY AND REDISTRIBUTE THIS ANNOUNCEMENT

---
Provided as a Public Service by the:
Cannabis Therapy Institute
P.O. Box 19084, Boulder, CO 80308
Phone: 877-420-4205
Web: http://www.CannabisTherapyInstitute.com
Email: info@cannabistherapyinstitute.com

Paul M. Levitt: Homage to Adrienne Anderson

2011-11-14T11:15:00.001-07:00

Posted on November 14, 2011 by Camera staff

Anderson teaching at CU. Picture from DenverDirect files.

In 1952, the university of Colorado fired Morris Judd, an instructor in the Department of Philosophy, for failing to answer President Robert Stearns’s question, “Are you or have you ever been a member of the Communist Party?” On November 7, 2002, in the old Fleming Law building, an SRO crowd heard the university, in the person of Philip DiStefano, honorably apologize for the injustice and establish a scholarship in the name of Morris Judd.

Will it take another fifty years for the university to acknowledge the shame of firing Adrienne Anderson, an instructor in Environmental Studies, for exposing toxic waste dumps and the perpetrators, some of whom were patrons of the university? Adrienne had taught at C.U. for twelve years, had been an instructor in good standing, and had offered classes that were always over-subscribed; but when she and her students went public with their research findings, she was suddenly persona non grata.

The university immediately distanced itself from her research without asking its myriad scientists to check her findings, although repeated requests were made to do so. Her department suddenly decided “to go in a new direction,” cancelled her classes, and discontinued her contract. One can only hope that the newly formed committee to protect the rights of instructors will have the power to prevent further injustices.

To this day in the United States, we do not know where all the bodies are buried. Dumping sites holding toxins turn up periodically. Adrienne, part historian, part archeologist, part geographer, part epidemiologist, part sleuth, unearthed and studied federal and state documents to discover the location of the toxins. She instructed her students in the fine art of detection and imbued them with a sense of civic responsibility.

Adrienne’s students thought that the training they received from her was first-rate, and the New York Times thought enough of her work to run an article on it. Thanks to her research and that of her students, we know, for example, that several Denver locations are cancer hot spots because homes were built in areas where aquifers and water pipelines were contaminated, a fact that the usual suspects have gone to inordinate lengths to hide.

Adrienne died a few weeks ago from a brain tumor, whether caused by the nature of her work or for some other reason we will never know. But let us not wait fifty years to remember the debt that we owe her and to make amends. A scholarship in her name is the least we can do.

Paul M. Levitt
Boulder

DPD war on tents (and tables)

2011-11-14T07:24:00.000-07:00

Occupy Denver reponds to ongoing police brutality and state oppression against all occupies

2011-11-13T20:54:00.001-07:00

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:

It is clear that the occupation movement has the government terrified of the emerging "people power" in America and is willing to suppress this movement by any means. In the past 24 hours, major Occupies across America were attacked and forcibly evicted. Word is that the newly emerging class consciousness in America is bad for business and must be stopped. Last night, once again, public safety and health was evoked by legal officials as a mob of Riot Police marched into Civic Center Park. In the past weeks Occupy Denver members were legally sleeping on the sidewalk without tents. A warning notice was given to the protesters late Friday night by police officials stating that "encumbrances" must be removed from public sidewalks, though no official notice of enforcement, or a time, was given. Again the government decided to change the rules and enforce its most belligerent action to date, to remove everyone from the sidewalk that in prior notices from the state were approved. When asked if ample time would be given to remove personal property, the officers responded in the affirmative. Moments later, the police moved in.

Once again, the DPD reaffirms its position as the most violent police force in the United States. Officers assaulted demonstrators who were just standing on the sidelines. An officer waited until a protester turned around and hit him in the back three times. They assaulted people verbally, including threats to "break the teeth" of protesters. One officer told another officer to "SHOOT EM!! SHOOT EM NOW!" One protester was struck by an officer on a motorcycle and was hospitalized. Protesters were kettled and shot with pepper-balls, according to Colorado Street Medics, who found pepper-ball shells at the scene of last night's incident. The shooting took place at 14th and Speer, eventually forcing the group to move to 16th St. Mall, where diners and theater-goers were present. The police action resulted in the closing of the 16th St. Mall bus system for civilian safety. Police actions put the general public in harms way, for no reason. All of this dangerous mayhem, completely instigated by police under the orders of our Mayor, was directed at peaceful protesters. Protestors were followed, intimidated and hunted by the police for hours after the eviction, proving that this was not about Civic Center park, but an attempt to aggressively confront the Occupy movement. These are certainly the kind of actions one might expect from the Egyptian Police in the last days of the Arab Spring, but not in Denver....

Our calls for the state to respect our first amendment rights have apparently fallen on deaf ears. Our attempts to negotiate through the city council, the mayor, and the governor have turned up nothing concrete. The first amendment states that it is illegal for the state to make any laws "abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances." For the Occupy Movement, the ability to assemble in tents is a form of free speech, and our constitutional rights have clearly been violated. The state and local governments are both in violation of the U.S. Constitution, as they are also in violation of the UN's Universal Declaration of Human Rights. We call on the Department of Justice and the UN Human Rights Commission to look into these allegations as we assert our right to freely assemble peacefully.

So far almost 4,000 folks have been arrested at Occupy demonstrations around the country, yet not a single one of the Wall Street criminals responsible for the financial ruin we find ourselves in has. We have mobilized against the greatest concentration of power known to man, and like all empires of the past, we know this one will not go down without a fight. It's been little over a month, and we can already see the tremendous positive impact the Occupy movement has had. For the fourth time in a month, they may have blocked off our park from us, but we are not going anywhere.

-Occupy Denver General Assembly
11/13/2011

Occupy Portland - Live streaming

2011-11-13T14:16:00.001-07:00

2:18pm - Go here http://www.kgw.com/live-stream and here http://www.livestream.com/occupyptown.

3:14pm - Park cleared - street to be cleared next. Police announcement "...you may be subject to the use of force, including chemical weapons and blunt-force weapons." Crowd chanting "we are peaceful people".

3:21pm - People locking arms in the street. KGW has the best stream.

3:40pm - Another source - http://www.emergencystream.com/video_streams/OR/Portland6.html

same as KGW but a few seconds earlier. Looks like about 300 people standing in the street defying police order. If they are waiting to be arrested, they should sit down and lock arms.

3:57pm - Additional riot police joining. http://www.emergencystream.com/video_streams/OR/Portland6.html has 2 cameras running.

4:47pm - Police seem content to play the waiting game. The park has been cleared using front-end loader and dump trucks and is being fenced off. Occupiers set up tent in front line.

4:53pm - Police numbers suddenly double - now 4 deep at front line. Cops have not put on their gas-masks yet.

Occupy Denver Live Stream

2011-11-12T14:00:00.001-07:00

Go here for live streaming from State Capitol now

Update: 3:35pm - Police said to be gathering for their weekly "war on tents" at Civic Center Park with a 5:00pm launch time. Streaming is somewhat spotty, but hey, it's the best we've got, and thanks to those responsible.

Update 4:27pm - 14th and Broadway is an armed camp of Denver Police preparing for ....?

Update 4:43pm - Bobby of Scoop303 needs a charged laptop. Police are said to be ready to "permanently evict" Occupy Denver. Every time Bobby goes off the air, another ad is shown to the viewers. That's because they are using the free version of Ustream. Time to upgrade.

Update 5:21pm - Bobby operating from his car with a camera that is not low-light.

Update 5:24pm - Chanting in background. Police moving in right now.

Update 5:31pm - Bobby gives up - try this http://www.ustream.tv/channel/occupy-denver1

Update 5:40pm - Sound only.

Update 5:55pm - Cops surround park. People headed towards mall.

Update 6:00pm - Better stream here http://www.livestream.com/globalrevolution

Update 6:29pm - Over and out.

Adrienne Anderson's Memorial - Nov. 6, 2011

2011-11-09T16:25:00.009-07:00

A memorial was held to commemorate the life of environmental activist Adrienne Anderson. Over 100 friends gathered at the Altona Grange Hall in Boulder County. A last-minute failure of our camera was rescued in part by Juliette Mondot who recorded what she could with her flip camera. Apologies to those we were not able to record. If you want to review clips of Adrienne in action, type her name in the search box on this blog.

Godspeed to Adrienne. May she rest in peace.

Developers are targeting open land on the north end of Golden

2011-11-09T13:04:00.000-07:00

Developers are targeting open land on the north end of Golden that will bring more traffic on SH93. If you care about Golden and Jefferson County, please come to this important community meeting tonight!

Tonight (Wed, Nov. 9 at 6:15 pm) is a Jeffco planning commission meeting at the Taj where the planning commission will make a decision on the Draft North Plains Area Plan. This plan affects open space lands from Golden north to the county boundary and especially those critical open space lands on the west side of Highway 93. It is very important that a lot of people show up in person to communicate the importance of leaving our last open space lands undeveloped and to not commit the Hwy 93 corridor to an urban sprawl future. If you cannot make it, please send an email today to rclark@co.jefferson.co.us. He is the Jeffco planner and will forward your email to the planning commission. Some points for your consideration are below. If you attend, the hope is there would be a lot of people testifying so all you would have to do is say you agree with the other guy. When big crowds show up, it really makes an impact on the planning commission members, five of whom I am told are new and are in that learning phase. - Vera Smith

Please pass this on to your friends and neighbors who might be interested. Thanks!
Nov. 9, 2011, 6:15 p.m.
Jefferson County Courts and Administration Bldg. (the Taj)
100 Jefferson County Parkway
Golden, CO

Some points you could make or reinforce in regard to the Foothills Highway Corridor (SH93):
We do not have the infrasturcture to support more developmnet. SH93 is already too dangerous, and more traffic make this road worse.
To support home values, no urban development (sprawl) west of SH 93 to protect the mountain backdrop and views
Keep Area 30 rural - no urban island in the mountain backdrop and foreground. (proposed development at 58th and SH93 on the west side)
Designate Areas 19, 20 and 24 as open space - they are on the western boundary of the Rocky Flats Wildlife refuge
Think of the future - do not continue the old 1980's plan to urbanize the highway 93 corridor
Guide growth to infill the already urbanized areas to the east
Tax base in the already urbanized areas is tax base for the county
Open space improves our property values, requires few services, has its own revenue stream and doesn't demand "tax breaks and incentives" and it’s what the citizens want

Check out Friends of the Foothills web site at www.FriendsoftheFoothills.com and details on Jeffco’s plan at http://jeffco.us/planning/planning_T59_R163.htm

You may still send email input to Russell Clark, Jeffco Planning and Zoning Dept. - his email is rclark@co.jefferson.co.us

Additional Information from Don Moore, Plan Jeffco Board Member:

1. Area 30 - Area 30 has been designated as a very large free standing urban activity area. This area is approximately 1,010 acres and would in effect amount to a small city in size. By comparison, the City of Edgewater is only 640 acres or a mile square. What would be the impact on traffic, water and wastewater, schools, recreation and other needed public facilities? Does the County need this development when there are thousands of acres vacant land already zoned for development and public infrastructure in place? Does the County really want a large free standing community located in the location at this time? Does the County want a large free standing community located at this location disrupting the billion dollar views of the Front Range Mountain Backdrop?

With thousands of acres of vacant land and properties in need to be redeveloped located within existing Jefferson County municipalities zoned for similar uses, this designation seems to be unnecessary and unneeded for many decades to come. It is unlikely that Area 30 would be ready or needed for development for the life of the proposed North Plains Community Plan and therefore should not be so designated until a latter date when there is truly a demonstrated need for this area to be developed and traffic impacts are better understood.

Development of this area for urban uses would greatly negatively impact the visual importance of the Front Range Mountain Backdrop. Every effort should be taken to preserve most of the rural character of lands located west of State Highway 93 and in particular the foreground and toe of slope of the Mountain Backdrop.

2. Area 24 – Area 24 has been designated for industrial uses as a long narrow strip of land adjacent to and east of State Highway 93. This designation could not be more incongruent with the large investment the County and others had made to preserve the open space lands surrounding Area 24. Further, a long strip of industrial uses along SH 93 would greatly diminish the otherwise valuable scenic qualities of the highway corridor.

3. Front Range Mountain Backdrop – Over a number of years the Jefferson County Government has stated the importance of protecting the Front Range Mountain Backdrop. The current North Plains Area Plan designates locations for urban development that will greatly impact the Mountain Backdrop. The County needs to complete a comprehensive visual impact analysis of these designated urban areas. This is a relatively easily task that the County’s GIS staff can accomplish with existing computer mapping.

4. Area 21 - Area 21 has been designated for Office, Research and Development as a transition from existing preserved open space lands to the industrial uses within the City of Golden. Given that Area 21 is nearly completely surrounded and badly bisects lands currently preserved as open space, while only sharing a small boundary with the City of Golden this designation deos not provide for a real transition between open space and the existing Golden devleopment.
Distributed by the steering committee of Citizens for Golden

OCCUPY DENVER ELECTS LEADER

2011-11-08T12:38:00.001-07:00

In response to Denver Mayor Michael Hancock's insistence that Occupy Denver choose leadership to deal with City and State officials, and drawing inspiration from the notion that corporations are people, Occupy Denver's General Assembly has elected a leader: Shelby, a three year old Border Collie. "Shelby is closer to a person than any corporation: She can bleed, she can breed, and she can show emotion. Either Shelby is a person, or corporations aren't people," said a Shelby supporter at the time of her election.

Occupy Denver reserves the right to alter leadership status, but for now, Shelby exhibits heart, warmth, and an appreciation for the group over personal ambition that Occupy Denver members feel are sorely lacking in the leaders some of them have voted for on national, state, and local levels. Accordingly, Occupy Denver looks forward to communication with Mayor Hancock and Colorado Governor John Hickenlooper sometime this week to introduce their leadership.

Newly-elected leader Shelby will be leading this Saturday's Occupy Denver march against Corporate Personhood, and invites all other civic minded dogs (and their leash-holders) to join.

Occupy Denver 11-3-11:"Livin' in the Land Where the Whip Still Cracks"

2011-11-04T11:29:00.002-06:00

I went to Occupy Denver yesterday because Michael Moore was going to make an appearance, and I did get some footage of the statement he made. But before he arrived, this gentleman appeared, and made one of the most moving statements I have heard from the Occupy movement to date.
(Tech note: I'm having some difficulty with the auto-focus on my new camera, but I would encourage you to stick with it to the end. It's well worth it.)

If anyone knows the poet's name, please leave a comment.

Update: His name is Noah Gauthier. Thank you Noah Gauthier, you are a splendid and powerful poet.

Boulder, Colorado Occupies the Ballot Box and Calls for End to “Corporate Personhood”

2011-11-03T07:17:00.001-06:00

Ground Breaking Ballot Measure Calls for Constitutional Amendment

BOULDER, CO – Last night Boulder became the second city in the nation to pass a ballot measure calling for an amendment to the US Constitution that would state that corporations are not people and reject the legal status of money as free speech. At midnight, with 93% of the ballots counted, the measure was handily winning with 74% of voters in support.

Boulder’s campaign is the latest grassroots effort by Move to Amend, a national coalition working to abolish corporate personhood. “From Occupy Wall Street to Boulder, Colorado and every town in between, Americans are fed up with corporate dominance of our political system,” said Kaitlin Sopoci-Belknap, a national spokesperson for Move to Amend. “Local resolution campaigns are an opportunity for citizens to speak up and let it be known that we won’t accept the corporate takeover of our government lying down. We urge communities across the country to join the Move to Amend campaign and raise your voices.”

Earlier this year voters in Madison and Dane County, Wisconsin overwhelmingly approved similar measures calling for an end to corporate personhood and the legal status of money as speech by 84% and 78% respectively. Next week voters in Missoula, Montana will have an opportunity to vote on a similar initiative in their community. Move to Amend volunteers in dozens of communities across the country are working to place similar measures on local ballots next year.

“Today’s ‘corporate personhood’ referendum in Boulder, Colorado is the latest message from the American people to state and federal legislators on the need for a Constitutional Amendment,” said Congresswoman Donna Edwards (D-MD). “The Supreme Court’s misguided Citizens’ United ruling burst open the floodgates of corporate spending in our elections, but it also unleashed a wave of public outcry over the need to put individuals, not corporations, in control of our elections. The results from today are just one example that we must take action to protect our treasured democracy.”

Edwards introduced a bill last month for a Constitutional amendment that would overturn the controversial Supreme Court’s ruling in the Citizens United case.

“Working on this campaign was electrifying,” said Scott Silber, a local Move to Amend organizer in Boulder. “We had such an outpouring of enthusiasm from our community. Folks were so thrilled to finally have an opportunity to have their voices heard and resoundingly call for an end to corporate corruption of our democracy. From here we’re taking the campaign to Denver, and then on to Washington, DC.”

Move to Amend’s strategy is to pass community resolutions across the nation through city councils and through direct vote by ballot initiative. “Our plan is build a movement that will drive this issue into Congress from the grassroots. The American people are behind us on this and our federal representatives will see that we mean business. Our very democracy is at stake,” stated Sopoci-Belknap.

For a complete list of all resolutions passed to date see: http://movetoamend.org/resolutions-map.

OCCUPY DENVER HONORS VETERANS & TAKES ACTION AGAINST BIG BANKS

2011-11-03T05:50:00.001-06:00

Denver, Colorado, November 2nd, 2011 - This Saturday, November 5th, Denver is hosting its 2011 Veterans Day Parade in Civic Center Park, where Occupy Denver has established its Occupation. Last night, Occupy Denver came to a unanimous consensus to vacate Civic Center Park following the 7 PM General Assembly meeting on Friday, November 4th, in a show of solidarity with our veterans, our service men and women, and our fallen heroes. Occupy Denver supports the valor and sacrifice of the men and women of our armed forces, and unilaterally wishes to show unwavering support and respect for the Veterans Day Parade.

Occupy Denver will reestablish its Occupation at Skyline Park on 16th Street Mall, directly across from the Denver Federal Reserve building, and has planned a series of actions for Saturday to coincide with the bank boycott known as Bank Transfer Day, in which customers are urged to close their accounts with predatory financial institutions like Wells Fargo, Citibank, and Chase, and redeposit their funds into their local credit unions. Occupy Denver member Mitch Shenassa explains, “The Occupation has deliberately chosen the space across from the Federal Reserve as its temporary site to bring attention to the economic dangers posed by this independent central bank and its short-sighted fractional reserve banking system that cause the devaluation of our currency and the ballooning of our national debt.”

Denver’s citizens will gather at the Federal Reserve building and march en masse to their respective banks to withdraw their financial support from the corporate entities responsible for the gradual erosion of the middle class through sub-prime mortages, usurious fees and interest rates, and a loyalty to corporate profits over the financial interests of their hard-working customers. Occupy Denver will coordinate and rally customers to an undisclosed number of Downtown Denver’s corporate bank branches in a randomized sequence throughout the morning and afternoon. Following the Bank Transfer Day effort, Occupy Denver will lead a peaceful march down 16th Street Mall in protest of predatory lending practices, unlawful foreclosures on the homes of American families, and unchecked criminality in our nation’s banking and financial systems. All who wish to join the march against the greed and injustice of private and public financial institutions are invited to rally at Noon on Saturday, November 5th, at the Denver Federal Reserve. Join your fellow Coloradoans in voicing your frustrations with the banks that have preyed on us over the past decade—together we will create a voice they cannot ignore.

At the conclusion of the Veterans Day Parade, Occupy Denver will lead a silent Solidarity Vigil returning to the space at Civic Center Park as a show of our gratitude and honor for our brothers’ and sisters’ service to our nation. We encourage all citizens to join us as we peacefully pay somber homage to these heroes, and their selfless sacrifices made for us all. The organizers of the Veterans Day Parade have requested that our vigil display no political slogans on signs or clothing, and focus all messages on support for our vets. Occupy Denver urges and requests that all attending respect these wishes, and conduct themselves with respectful decorum.

Michael Moore to visit Occupy Denver

2011-11-02T11:33:00.000-06:00

Occupy Denver 11/2/11 - photo by Rob Witte via twitter

"Michael Moore will be on the Auraria Campus on November 3rd to discuss his new book, Here Comes Trouble: Stories From My Life."

Another tweet says that Moore will be visiting the Occupy Denver site sometime tomorrow between his 2:30pm Auraria visit and a 6:30pm Tattered Cover appearance.

DABC update from 3 weeks of social war in Denver, Colorado

2011-11-02T08:24:00.000-06:00

From DenverABC on Oct 30. DenverABC provides the legal support for OccupyDenver. Time for you to donate to support their efforts.

It’s 10:36pm, and things at the 27 Social Centre are busy and anxious.

We’ve been solidly working since DABC members on the ground reported at around 2:45pm that Denver Police had started to attack the crowd at Civic Center Park who assembled to re-take the park for Occupy Denver.

The legal line has rang pretty steadily for the last several hours, as we’ve been working intake for 18 arrestees. A 19th person is hospitalized, though charges are expected to be filed once he is released from the hospital. There may be more arrestees from earlier tonight, though we think that if there are more, that number probably won’t exceed 20.

That said, in 20 minutes, Civic Center Park will officially “close” and it is unclear if DPD or other law enforcement will attempt to enforce the park curfew and further endanger and arrest those occupying the park.

Street medics affiliated with DABC reported dozens of injuries, mostly from pepper spray, pepper balls (paintballs filled with OC powder), and blunt force trauma from police batons. Several people were taken away by ambulance, and many others were treated on site in a makeshift field clinic set up by seasoned street medics.

Today’s actions, hot on the heels of the intense police repression at Occupy Oakland earlier this week, shows clearly that the ruling class isn’t taking this new movement lightly. They will order their footsoldiers from local law enforcement agencies to do what it takes to break the back of this young, yet growing and vibrant movement.

As we move forward, DABC will do everything it can to ensure that the proper support is given to Occupy Denver and the multitude of other local movements, projects, and initiatives struggling to destroy predatory social, political, and economic systems.

The only way we can do this is with your support. We’ve been able to raise over $5000 to cover bond and bail expenses for arrestees. We’ve been able to work with the National Lawyers Guild to ensure that (as of now) 73 defendants have free legal representation. We’ve been able to work with the Colorado Street Medics to help provide on the ground medical care for injured and wounded demonstrators. We’ve been able to provide meals, housing, and other needed support for our arrested and injured comrades. And we’ve only been able to do this with your amazing support.

We probably don’t need to remind people that support for Occupy Denver is not the only work that our dozen member collective is involved in. We also support many long term political prisoners held captive by the U.S. We provide self defense trainings to social movements and projects in the Denver area. We help with courtwatch and visitation for those facing deportation through the horrendous ICE system in the U.S. We help provide childcare and children’s activities to various social movement programs in the Denver metro. We work to support the struggles of prisoners organizing within state facilities in the Colorado area.

All of this work hinges on your support. And there are many needs that we have, and many ways that you can support us.

1) Donate to DABC: We are taking funds for bond support, as well as support of all of our other projects. Contact us at denverabc@rocketmail.com to throw some donations our way.

2) Volunteer for DABC: We need help staffing our legal line, observing court proceedings, picking people up from jail, and a multitude of other roles. Again, contact us to help out.

3) Attend a DABC meeting: ABC meetings are open meetings that happen every Sunday at 3:30pm at the 27 Social Centre (2727 W. 27th Ave Unit D, Denver)

4) Attend our annual fundraiser, Martyr’s Ball: On Friday November, 11, DABC is hosting on of our largest annual fundraisers, Martyr’s Ball. A costume ball where participants dress up as a political martyr, will feature food, beverages, games, music, and dancing. The event will be held at the 27 Social Centre. Bring your friends and support DABC.

4) Spread the word: Pass this on to friends, family, comrades, and others!

In solidarity and struggle,

DABC CREW

OCCUPY DENVER HOLDS PEACE VIGIL TONIGHT AT 6

2011-10-30T15:23:00.000-06:00

From Occupy Denver press release.
The weekly march at Occupy Denver deteriorated into a full-fledged standoff yesterday, resulting in several confrontations between police and protesters. The primary message of the Occupy Wall Street movement has become overshadowed in the past few weeks, as focus has shifted from demands for economic justice to 1st Amendment rights and outcries against police brutality.

The display of overt police violence at yesterday’s assembly of peaceful protesters was entirely abhorrent. The overwhelming police presence was centered on a handful of tents in a public park. The unnecessary show of force by the Denver Police Department was not only disproportionate and inflammatory, but a vastly excessive expenditure of public funds. We urge Denver’s new Chief of Police, Robert White, to live up to his reputation for being reasonable and holding police officers under his jurisdiction accountable.

We openly condemn the Denver Police Department for using pepper balls, shotgun-propelled beanbag rounds, pepper spray and tear gas on an entirely unarmed and nonviolent group. We have collected scores of unedited photos and videos depicting sheer brutality on the part of police on site: officers choking already restrained protesters, using a stun wand on a female arrestee who was already face down and pinned to the ground by an officer, verbally threatening protesters during the standoff, and recklessly and indiscriminately deploying chemical weapons on unarmed civilians, to name a few.

Police violence has never, and will never stop our movement’s momentum. We will continue to organize and move forward, as have Occupy Wall Street, Occupy Oakland, Occupy Boston, and countless other occupations across the nation and around the globe.

While the goals of Occupy Wall Street are myriad, the central message of the Occupy movement is specific–and clear to those who are willing to listen: this is a nonviolent movement seeking to bring economic justice to a sociopolitical and economic system that has consistently favored the 1% of citizens at the apex of wealth, while oppressing the beleaguered majority. By allowing money to corrupt corporate responsibility and unduly influence the political process in the United States, our nation’s current policies have undercut our fundamental rights as Americans to life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness.

As a nonviolent movement, Occupy Denver utterly deplores and condemns the use of any and all types of violence by any individual or organization, whether of law enforcement or private citizenry.

Occupy Denver is a leaderless, non-hierarchical movement, comprised of autonomous individuals. Occupy Denver does not condone or endorse the behaviors of any individual claiming membership to or affinity for our efforts, and especially disdains individuals who promote, incite, threaten, or resort to violence under any circumstance. Individuals promoting or resorting to violence of any form are explicitly not welcome at Occupy Denver and contradict entirely with the avowed core values of the movement. While the movement prides itself on maintaining public health and safety, and order within its ranks, Occupy Denver cannot control private citizens who choose to act against our sworn principles of nonviolence, and deeply regret their appearance alongside our tireless efforts.

In response to the volatile atmosphere created by the most aggressive raid of Occupy Denver to date by the police, we are holding a Sunset Peace Vigil at 6pm tonight. Please join us and help bring the focus of the movement back to its fundamental philosophy of peace and economic justice.

ABOUT OCCUPY DENVER

Occupy Denver is an autonomous group of concerned citizens aiming to bring awareness to the issues of corporate inequality and greed, and to empower the 99% of the citizenry that does not benefit from the policies that support this objectionable structure. For more information, please visit occupydenver.org, or contact Occupy Denver at media-pr@occupydenver.org.

Denver police do a great job of PR for Occupy Denver

2011-10-30T11:45:00.001-06:00

Photos from the Denver Post (see more)

Occupiers coming better equipped to the show

Officer down in an unscripted fall

Officer playing his part with enthusiasm

Occupiers and officers came to Saturday's march in full battle dress for their parts in the continuing drama at Colfax and Broadway (I was unable to attend). Hickenlooper and Hancock have seemed determined to draw the line by not allowing tents, repeatedly removing the occupiers camping gear, food, and medical supplies, but allowing them to sleep on the sidewalk for the last few days despite the 11pm to 6am curfew .

Tactical error by police
After the marchers approached the west steps of the Capitol and were repulsed, they moved down to their camp on Broadway. There police seem to have made a tactical error by driving two motorcycles up on the grass and into the crowd. After an occupier shoved the back end of the second motorcycle, he was chased down and arrested. (Video from DenverOccupy)

This led to the officers being surrounded by occupiers with the police then using pepper spray and guns with pepper "bullets" on the crowd. The occupiers backed away and the police moved back to the street.

Here's a second point of view on the motorcycle takedown

More from SenorMysterioso on YouTube:

Senor goes on to say:

October 29, 2011. Occupy Denver. Police fight with protesters in Civic Center Park.

This video starts right after police stormed into the park to pull a tarp out of a tree. Police tackled a man and a woman to the ground. Protesters became enraged about the force being used.

I removed my original description because of threats. I was objectively relating what I observed and experienced but some people were angry so I will just let everyone watch for themselves.

Yet another point of view of the inside action

Live feeds

I was able to find 4 live feeds of the action while it was ongoing. 9news seemed to have commandeered the DOT camera (note watermark on screen grab) from atop the light pole on the southwest corner of Colfax and Broadway.

Other feeds included Ustream's StandUpDenver, occupydenvernow, and occupydenver303. You can search around at Ustream to find their recorded streams.

Police action at Occupy Denver today

2011-10-29T18:02:00.001-06:00

From StandUpDenver via Ustream at 3:24pm:

Live feed of Occupy Denver standoff on 9news now

2011-10-29T16:38:00.001-06:00

http://www.9news.com/video/9newsonline.aspx

Occupy Denver from SenorMysterioso

2011-10-28T09:46:00.001-06:00

Denver Public Works & Denver Parks and Recreation Announce Free Broken Branch Drop-Off Sites for Denver Residents

2011-10-28T06:23:00.000-06:00

DENVER, CO — October 27, 2011- Bring your broken branches to one our three free drop-off locations in Denver for quick disposal. Only branches will be accepted at these sites and all branches will be recycled into mulch.

All sites will be accepting branches starting on Friday, October 28 (tomorrow) through Sunday, October 30 from 10am-4pm. Proof of Denver residency is required.

Broken Branch Free Drop-Off Sites:

· Havana Nursery: 10450 Smith Road – enter off Havana Street

· Barnum Park North: 3144 W. 6^th Ave –east side parking lot - access via 8^th and Federal

· Kennedy Softball Complex: 3398 S. Kenton Street – NW parking lot of the Complex off of West Dartmouth and South Kenton

Please remember:

· No tree stumps will be accepted

· No commercial contractors

· No professional landscapers

· No private haulers

Disposal of tree branches as part of regular trash collection:

· Branches must be no larger than 4 inches in diameter, and they must be cut into lengths of 4 feet or less, bundled and tied, and weigh no more than 50 pounds.

· Bundled branches can be set out with regular trash on your scheduled trash collection day. For more information about branch disposal visitwww.Denvergov.org/Trash

· Branches set out with regular trash collection will not be recycled.

OCCUPY DENVER REQUESTS SOLIDARITY FROM CITY COUNCIL, PRESENTS OVER 10,000 PETITION SIGNATURES.

2011-10-27T15:10:00.000-06:00

Denver police call in heavy equipment to remove igloo 10/25/11

Over the past few days the city has issued its initial price tag for Occupy Denver. They say they spent an exorbitant amount, over $365,000. That is enough money to put most of the homeless folk that they forcibly evicted from the "tent city" in condos for a year and still have money left over to provide Occupy Denver with electricity, portapotties, and heat for the winter. At the very least, that money could have been used for creating jobs or community building. According to Mayor Hancock’s office, the money was allocated as follows: Denver Police Department - $237,000.  Denver Sheriff's Department - $116,000.  Denver Health - $10,000.  Public Works - $1,300  Environmental Health - $500. We are told that the tents were taken down for safety reasons and that they set a dangerous precedent. We are concerned about the safety of the homeless population as well as the Occupiers as winter encroaches. We question the state’s demands for “safety” as we recall a massive police presence, and the treatment of non-violent protesters over the last week, and many others who find themselves without a safe place to sleep at night.

This week it was announced that the Mayor seeks to ban all downtown camping. Currently, the 16th St. Mall is one of the few places in the city where homeless people can legally sleep from 9pm-7am without risking arrest. This ban will make the lives of Denver’s homeless even more difficult. The mayor says, “We only have one downtown. We must protect the vitality of our downtown, the city core.” Occupy Denver is in full agreement with this statement. We must protect our city core, which as we know, consists of many homeless veterans and other citizens who have nowhere else to go. We are also comprised of those who continue to occupy the downtown area in solidarity with the global Occupy movement. Placing a ban on “downtown camping” would attempt to hammer the final nail into the coffin of the Occupy movement in Denver, by making it illegal for anyone to sleep on a sidewalk, which is where the Occupy Denver exiles are currently situated. Mayor Hancock's website states, "He believes in bringing different groups together to find common-sense solutions to complicated challenges, and he believes that by working together we can build on our past and create a world-class city of tomorrow, because We are all Denver." We invite the mayor to follow through with his commitment to find a common sense solution to this complicated challenge, by addressing his concerns directly with Occupy Denver. This is not a debate over tents. We are focused on being allowed a platform by which we may legally express our grievances.

With this in mind, we would like to draw to the state’s attention, that as promised, we have obtained over 10,000 signatures on the petition to end arrests at Occupy Denver. We urge the city council to pass a resolution of solidarity with the Occupy Denver movement, and to push the Mayor and Governor to allow us to occupy throughout the winter. We urge the Mayor to grant a waiver of city ordinance to Occupy Denver members to allow us to resume our occupation without arrest.

Let us help you. We are all the 99%. By working with us on these issues you will have the support of the people. When this occupation movement succeeds, corporations will be paying their fair share of tax revenue, generating more income for state infrastructure, education, and policies to improve the quality of life for all Coloradans. This protest, this Occupation, is an act of free speech and peaceable assembly, protected by the United States Constitution, and the First Amendment has no curfew. In Los Angeles, the Mayor passed out ponchos to occupiers and the homeless. Hundreds of police officers in Albany refused orders to dismantle the Occupation in upstate New York. Many other cities have given up on trying to suppress this movement by force, we urge Denver to follow suit.

Occupy Denver is holding a rally & march this Saturday October 29th, 12PM @ The Civic Center Park. Join us.

Police body language at Occupy Denver

2011-10-26T10:09:00.001-06:00

Crossed arms

I've been to the Occupy Denver site a number of times, and I can't help but notice the body language and individual actions of the police there. This photo (from Kelsey Whipple of Westword) says it all.

On Saturday, within the first 15 minutes of my arrival, I witnessed three different uniformed Denver bicycle police spitting on the sidewalk. The third one happened just a few feet from me, so I walked over to the officer.

"Isn't spitting on the sidewalk against the law? I asked of the spitting officer. He said "No" but his partner laughed and said "Yes". I looked down at the large, wet goober lying on the sidewalk near his foot.

"I think it's disgusting, it's bad for your image, and that you should stop." I walked away.

This "image" problem that the Denver police have goes further. From the same Westword (Denver's only real newspaper) article: (emphasis mine)

"The small box shack drew immediate attention from police constantly positioned across the street to monitor the group because its placement blocked part of the sidewalk, Hausner says. "Even the people sleeping on the sidewalks at night are currently in violation of the law, but we're willing to let that one go. This one, we cannot."The fluctuating interpretation of the ruling drew confusion from the Occupy gathering, which was split almost in half on the decision of whether or not to tear down the Thundercube."

So the police get to decide which violations to enforce, and which to "let go".

Given the early estimates ($365,000) of the cost of this "fluctuating interpretation" and enforcement of the law, I'm guessing that the cost to taxpayers is well over $1 million by now. Isn't it time for Mayor Hancock and Governor Hickenlooper to "let this one go"?

May I recommend that H & H (and the police) follow what is happening in Albany, NY, where the police refused to obey orders to arrest the occupiers?

Meanwhile, Albany County District Attorney David Soares on Sunday said that over the weekend he had conversations with Jennings, Albany Police Chief Steven Krokoff and State Police officials about his concerns regarding prosecution of “peaceful protesters.”
Soares said protests at the state Capitol are common, and historically anyone arrested for trespassing generally faces a low-level charge that’s later dismissed.
“Our official policy with peaceful protesters is that unless there is property damage or injuries to law enforcement, we don’t prosecute people protesting,” Soares said. “If law enforcement engaged in a pre-emptive strike and started arresting people I believe it would lead to calamitous results, and the people protesting so far are peaceful.”
Source: Red Green & Blue (http://s.tt/13BLN)

COLORADO RESIDENTS TO GOV. HICKENLOOPER AND MAYOR HANCOCK: RESPECT RIGHTS OF OCCUPY DENVER PARTICIPANTS

2011-10-25T14:56:00.000-06:00

WASHINGTON, DC – Colorado residents are joining a 10,000-strong campaign on Change.org demanding that Colorado Governor Hickenlooper and Denver Mayor Hancock respect the rights of Occupy Denver participants to gather at Civic Center Park.
Denver resident Sarah Fong launched the online petition campaign after watching police arrest Occupy Denver participants. A growing number of Colorado residents have joined the campaign on Change.org, the world’s fastest-growing platform for social change.

“I started to realize that the Occupy Together movement was a huge mass of people who decided to do something about the corporate power that has overtaken us,” Fong said. “Because of the size and scope of Occupy Together, and because of its emphasis on democracy, I started to take inventory of the things I could to contribute to the movement in some small way.”

Since the launch of the Occupy Denver campaign on Change.org less than two weeks ago, more than 10,000 people have added their signatures. Several other Occupy Together groups in cities across the U.S. have since created their own campaigns on Change.org to defend participants against attacks by local officials.

Live signature totals from Sarah Fong’s Occupy Denver campaign:
http://www.change.org/petitions/gov-of-colorado-and-mayor-of-denver-stop-the-occupy-denver-arrests

Live signature totals from a similar campaign by Occupy Colorado Springs:
http://www.change.org/petitions/mayor-bach-allow-occupy-colorado-springs-to-use-acacia-park

Journalists interested in contacting Governor Hickenlooper or Mayor Hancock’s public relations staff should try:

For Mayor Hancock:

Amber Miller

Phone: 720.865.9016

amber.miller@denvergov.org

For Governor Hickenlooper:

Eric Brown

Phone: 303.866.6324

eric.brown@state.co.us

Holly Shrewsbury

holly.shrewsbury@state.co.us

For more information on Change.org, please visit:
http://www.change.org/about
Change.org is the world’s fastest-growing platform for social change — growing by more than 400,000 new members a month, and empowering millions of people to start, join, and win campaigns for social change in their community, city and country.

Poet

2011-10-25T08:36:00.000-06:00

DPD Raids Squat, Support Needed

2011-10-24T08:52:00.000-06:00

UPDATE:
Posted on October 24, 2011 by denverabc

Sunday afternoon a squat in the Jefferson Park Neighborhood of Northwest Denver was raided by over a dozen officers from District 1 of the Denver Police Department.

Witnesses report that the raid was very violent, with at least 8 officers repeatedly beating one of the arrestees, and eventually using paramedics to sedate them while they laid face down, bleeding, in the street.

Four people were arrested, one being sent to a hospital in an ambulance to receive medical care. As of Sunday night, three of the arrestees are facing 2nd degree Burglary (a class 3 felony) and $10,000 bonds. The fourth arrestee’s charges remain unknown because she is still hospitalized. All four have been active participants of Occupy Denver.

How to Help
Contribute to our bail fund! Contact DenverABC at DenverABC@Rocketmail.com for information on how to donate to the fund.
Courtroom solidarity! Bond hearings will be Monday (10/24), 10am, at the Van Cise- Simonet Detention Facility (Colfax and Delaware).

Future hearings will be posted on denverabc.wordpress.com

The first solidarity action will be Monday (10/24), 5pm, at the Van Cise facility.
Stay in the loop for future solidarity actions and opportunities at denverabc.wordpress.com. We are also on Twitter and Facebook. Also request to be on our announcement list by emailing us.

Occupy Denver on the march again (10-22-2011)

2011-10-22T22:12:00.000-06:00

I was hoping to have my live-streaming video online today, after testing on the Mall yesterday (see the new tab above). However it was not to be, but I went anyway and shot the video above. I would encourage you to view the entire video. For one, you get to see who is actually in the crowd marching down the mall. Many of the marchers look like middle-class citizens rather than hippies or the homeless as is often stated. And the speech at the end is worth watching. Sorry I didn't get her name, but the First Lady is quite an emotional speaker. Everybody in the 99% is suffering, and they are finally waking up! I took off before the music started (which was really what I wanted to shoot) so I could get back and get this out.

Breaking news:
At about 7:00 pm this evening a group of about 50 protesters came by my place going south on York St. Drums and hollering were prevalent, and most seemed to be dressed in dark clothes. The Denver police followed the group in about 10 police cars. I assumed they would turn west and go down Colfax, so I grabbed the camera and drove west on 16th Ave. in an effort to get in front of them.

All of the traffic from Colfax, now closed by police cars at every intersection, was being diverted to 16th, leaving me stuck in a traffic jam. Police cars, marked and unmarked, were everywhere, including leap-frogging the jammed up traffic with lights flashing. Try as I might, I couldn't get in front of the protesters on their way back to Civic Center Park, but I did see them walking calmly on the sidewalk at Ogden St. The over-whelming police presence made me think the cops were anticipating some sort of CIVIL DISOBEDIENCE! OMG No! Send in the troops, we can't have that.

One thing for sure, the police reaction is very expensive. Their aggressive coverage of this evening's protester foray made me think they were itching for something to happen. Just sayin'.

Occupy Denver meets with Mayor Hancock 10-18-2011

2011-10-21T11:47:00.000-06:00

Adrienne Anderson Memorial Service

2011-10-19T08:47:00.001-06:00

Adrienne Anderson, longtime environmental activist who worked with labor unions, low income and other neighborhoods affected by industrial pollution, Denver neighborhood associations, the Rocky Mountain Peace and Justice Center, and a host of organizations on behalf of environmental justice, passed away on September 7, 2011, after a five month battle with brain cancer. A memorial service and celebration of Adrienne’s life is planned for November 6, 2011, from 1:00pm to 4:00pm at the Altona Grange Hall, #127, 39th and Nelson Road, Longmont, Colorado, just east of North Broadway (Hwy 36) in Boulder. Adrienne’s friends, supporters, and coworkers are invited to share light refreshments and remembrances and to honor her life. In lieu of flowers, a donation may be made to the college fund set up for her daughters at the Public Service Credit Union. Checks may be made out to Erin and Sarah Smile and sent to them for deposit at 306 Peery Parkway, Golden CO 80403.

With Anderson’s death, Colorado lost a courageous fighter for environmental justice. Adrienne worked with many environmental organizations in Texas, Oklahoma, Colorado, New Mexico, and Oregon. Her projects ranged from improving services provided by electrical utilities to rural communities, to protecting Pinon Canyon from encroachments by the US military, and to fighting contamination of farmlands, watersheds, city parks and lakes with toxic and radioactive wastes. Though environmental work is always tough, Adrienne never shirked from really hard tasks. While it is relatively easy to take on less controversial causes such as wilderness protection, energy policy, general air and water quality enforcement, and global warming, it is an entirely different matter to challenge defense contractors, Denver Water, and the corporate establishment of Colorado. Adrienne was an activist with the Toxic Alliance Campaign when she came to Colorado. There, she helped to publicize the failure to truly protect workers from plutonium contamination, and the subsequent failed clean up of the remains of the Rocky Flats Nuclear Plant. Her most celebrated campaigns began with the Friendly Hills neighborhood in Southwest Denver. Unusually high cancer rates were discovered there near the Martin Marietta plant, especially among young children. Cancers were associated with Martin Marietta’s practice of pumping effluent from production of rocket fuel into aquifers and pipelines serving the area’s water supply.

After being appointed by Mayor Wellington Webb to the Denver Metro Wastewater Reclamation District Board specifically to represent worker and union concerns, Anderson uncovered a massive cover-up of ground and surface water contamination by rocket propellants in suburban southwest Denver by Lockheed-Martin, and ground water contamination by toxics and radio-nuclides from Rocky Flats and other sites. These toxic materials were being illegally dumped into the Lowry Landfill, whose effluent enters the Platte River and leaches into aquifers providing water to the Denver Metro area. While the city of Denver has always claimed that there has been no plutonium contamination at Lowry, it is undeniable that the Lowry landfill received toxic materials from Rocky Flats, Coors, and other corporate entities. Workers with Metro Wastewater sued under the OSHA because they had no protection against the contaminants that were being flushed into the wastewater system at Lowry Landfill.

Anderson was asked to serve as an expert witness in the case. Federal whistleblower Judge David W. DiNardi of Boston fully vetted Anderson’s documentation of radiation at the Lowry Landfill and found it “most credible” and “well-founded.” Comparing her to top whistleblowers like Erin Brockovich and Karen Silkwood, he ruled in her favor on every issue before him. His ruling was subsequently reversed by Bush appointees in the Department of Labor on a technicality. The contamination against which Anderson fought continues in the Denver area.

Judge DiNardi’s analysis and a series of articles in the Westword by Eileen Welsome remain the most thorough discussions of Anderson’s work. Welsome’s articles won a Pulitzer Prize for investigative reporting, and provide detailed analysis and key documents that substantiate the full range of Anderson’s controversial claims about radioactive material that was dumped at the Lowry Landfill and now is being clandestinely removed.

Anderson often ended up on the losing end of tough fights. She was repeatedly vilified publically and threatened by those whose crimes or duplicity she attempted to expose. Thugs threatened her in front of her home. A public relations firm was hired to smear her. Newspapers and media campaigns impugned her intelligence, her work, and her morals. And pressure from politicians and corporate donors to the University of Colorado—the same corporations whose actions she had sought to uncover—caused her to lose her job as an instructor in environmental ethics and environmental research at CU, where the content and balance of her classes and her pedagogy had received the highest ratings for teaching excellence for a dozen years. Not long after Anderson’s dismissal from CU, the Rocky Mountain Peace and Justice Center hired her as the foremost investigative environmentalist in the Rocky Mountain region to continue her fight against pollutants, especially plutonium and other radio-nuclides. While continuing her association with the Rocky Mountain Peace and Justice Center, her last employment was with the LIUNA construction workers’ union, where she investigated potential development sites to assure that they were free from toxic contamination.

Adrienne Anderson was an extraordinarily courageous woman. She never flinched when challenging those arrayed against her. She was a role model as a community organizer and strategist. She was an inspiring teacher who influenced generations of students and future activists. Her passion for keeping families safe went far beyond her duties as an environmental scientist. She fought to keep corporations accountable to all of us so we could have acceptable clean water and a toxin-free environment. She truly did pass her legacy on to her children and all those who work very hard to keep their families safe from contamination. At the time of her death, Adrienne was working with Denver neighborhood organizations to stop the use of recycled water contaminated with Lowry effluents in City parks—resulting in the drowning death of numerous waterfowl—and contamination of playgrounds, schoolyards and recreational areas.

Adrienne Anderson was born on February 10th, 1952 in Dallas, Texas. She grew up in Texas and received her BA in Sociology from Southern Methodist University and her MA in Environmental Sociology from the University of Oregon. She is survived by her two daughters, Erin, 20, and Sarah, 16, and a host of life-long friends, family members, admiring co-workers and supporters. Adrienne never stopped fighting. In 2005, she was awarded the very first Edward Abbey award for support of the environment. In June 2011, just weeks before her untimely death, she broadcast a call on KGNU radio to the public, warning people about the danger of harmful toxins in their water.

Concert and Rally this Saturday 10/22/2011

2011-10-18T06:57:00.000-06:00

Last night's activity at #OccupyDenver (9news.com)

2011-10-16T07:35:00.001-06:00

And this? Corey gropes a photographer? Looks like they'll try anything to get Corey off the street. He has been a leader by example from the beginning of #OccupyDenver.

From FB: Please come to the Civic Center Park General Assembly Sunday 10/16 @ 3pm! Important issues will likely arise, let your voices be heard! Solidarity!

More #OccupyDenver

2011-10-14T21:54:00.000-06:00

It's been quite a week, what with Rep. Wes McKinley up from Cokedale (near Trinidad) to spend 3 days with Occupy Denver. He sleeps outdoors a lot, living the life of ranching, trail rides, and the great southeastern plains of Colorado, so he was right at home. He also spent quite a bit of time behind the scene arranging for the #OccupyDenver open letter to be delivered to the Governor's office (successful) and trying to get the State Patrol to arrange for porta-potties (unsuccessful).

Moi? Not so much with the camping thing. I lasted one night, but the reality was that I had to get back to edit the day's takes. Footage was stacking up at this one-man show. (I need an intern or another fool willing to work for nothing - send resume to Editor@DenverDirect.tv).

I learned about the Governor's press conference (above) just an hour before it started. I had to park 5 blocks away from the Capitol, as the lots and streets were packed. I huffed and puffed my way along as fast as my new titanium hip would allow, and finally arrived, the press conference in progress. I had to flash my Capitol press name plate three times, but finally was allowed into the packed room, a large office with a staging area and with room for about 5 reporters, which meant the 25 of us were standing anywhere we could fit.

Hickenlooper made a number of points (I feel your pain but I have to think of the liability) and Hancock said ditto using language that indicates he thinks the city belongs to him. Attorney General John Suthers was there to read the ordinance.

I went down to the site immediately after the press conference. Upon learning of the 11 pm curfew and impending eviction, the tension level of the crowd went up a notch. One crazy got a little crazier, and another crazy who was "security" had to be brought under control himself by another "security" person who wasn't crazy.

Later, at about 8:00 pm I assembled great internet coverage of the "action" on my computer. I had two overlaping video shots of the east side of Broadway in the sign waving area. A wide shot from the Denver Post building and a close up provided by 9news.com. Kudos to 9 for an excellent picture and for not talking all the time. The interviews were of interest however, especially the point about the Right to Free Speech and Assembly taking precedence over all state, city, and local law, including but not limited to curfews and tent pitching restrictions. I guess if money is free speech, tent-pitching should qualify.

In addition, I had the Twitter feed running - great stuff with participants at all locations of police staging and prep, as well as scanner monitoring - coming in at about 5 per minute. I also found Mike Rosen at KOA doing a live audio feed from the site. The 4 track total immersion kept me going until 4 am.

Then, further explanation from Hickenlooper today:

DENVER — Friday, Oct. 14. 2011 — Gov. John Hickenlooper today released this statement about the events last night in Lincoln Park in downtown Denver:

“The First Amendment and the rights it guarantees for free speech and assembly are critical to our democracy. These rights are what set the United States above all other nations. We also have rules and laws that must be followed.
“Demonstrators in Lincoln Park were told every day this week they could not camp in the park. Yet each day the number of tents grew. Last night, and after multiple requests to follow the law, the Colorado State Patrol intervened. State troopers and Denver police demonstrated extreme restraint and professionalism as they encountered a very difficult situation.
“We owe the Colorado State Patrol a great deal of gratitude for their work. We also greatly appreciate the efforts by state employees from the Colorado Department of Transportation and the Department of Personnel and Administration, as well as the support from the Denver Police Department and Xcel Energy.
“Some people are finding it easy today to criticize the state’s response this week to what is a national movement in many cities across the country. There were numerous jurisdictional and legal issues to work through before a clear course of action could be set. For example, the state does not have a jail nor does the state have direct prosecutorial authority for park violations. We needed the cooperation of other entities and wanted to be very deliberate and thorough in our response.
“In the end, we worked with Occupy Denver to find a resolution that included constructive communication, many people voluntarily leaving the park, no violence and minimal arrests.
“We understand the frustration voiced by demonstrators about the economy, the loss of jobs and dysfunction in Washington. That’s why we are intently focused on economic development in Colorado. Just this week the state saw two global companies make significant investments in Colorado that will add jobs and momentum to business development efforts happening throughout the state.
“This kind of economic news doesn’t solve all of the issues raised by demonstrators this week, but it does show we all want the same thing: a healthy America where everyone can prosper.”

What will be the result of Hickenlooper's decision to boot Occupy Denver out? We'll just have to wait and see.

Controversial Parks Admission Policy Retained

2011-10-14T11:34:00.000-06:00

Editor's note: Our parks; available for rent to money-makers but not to the people for protests.

By Dave Felice

Despite a significant lack of interest by event organizers, Denver Parks and Recreation (DPR) is keeping its policy of allowing private commercial operators to close parts of parks and charge admission to events. Opponents call for the policy to be rescinded under the administration of Mayor Michael B. Hancock.

What was to be a first-year policy evaluation by Parks Finance Director Fred Weiss turned out to be a few brief comments by Interim Parks Manager Dody Erickson. At a meeting of the Parks and Recreation Advisory Board, Erickson acknowledged there had been no requests for commercial events during the initial year of the policy.

Erickson says the Parks staff doesn’t know why no commercial operators applied for permits. She says there may not have been enough time to plan events, the fees may be too high, or the event criteria might be too restrictive. Proponents of the policy had claimed there was great demand for closed commercial events and the city would reap significant revenue from such events. If there are no requests after the current commercial permitting period begins in December, “we will try to determine the reasons,” says Erickson.

She did not mention if event organizers might have inquired about permits. Members of the advisory board did not ask for such specific information.

Critics of the policy say what they term “selling the parks” has not resulted in the anticipated income to the city. Opponents also contend that commercial use of parks is unlawful under City Charter.

According to Erickson, the “Big Air” show jumping event in Civic Center Park last January was “a contract, not a (park) permit.” The event, which resulted in the closure of a large portion of Civic Center Park, “seemed like an admission based event, but in reality it was not.” Plans last year to close Civic Center Park for outdoor movies were withdrawn when organizers said they couldn’t get financial support.

Erickson also says she has heard nothing specific about the policy recently from Mayor Michael B. Hancock. During his time as a City Councilman and during the mayoral campaign, Hancock was known to be supportive of allowing closed commercial events in parks. In public comments to the advisory board, Congress Park resident Steve Lang said admission based events contradict Hancock’s statement about how the new park leadership team “believes in providing equal, quality services to every resident.”

Hancock has just appointed Lauri Dannemiller to head the Parks Department. Dannemiller, who has an advanced degree in Recreation Administration, comes to the post after being City Council Director for the past six years.

Advisory Board President Darrell Watson says the board “no longer has jurisdiction over this policy since it was approved by City Council.” Watson asks the Parks staff to provide a forecast about planned commercial events “so we can determine what impact might be anticipated.”

Former Parks Manager Chantal Unfug pushed through the controversial admission based events policy just over a year ago when she was Special Policy Advisor to Parks Manager Kevin Patterson. Adoption of the policy followed a years-long, sometimes rancorous, deliberation process dominated by city officials and event promoters. Numerous Registered Neighborhood Organizations (RNOs) and the Inter-Neighborhood Cooperation (INC) group had adopted resolutions opposing the policy.

Park advocates suggest that if demand is strong enough, the city could develop a full-time year-round concert and festival venue.

Full information on opposition to the policy and the deliberation process is at: www.SaveCityPark.org. Additional information is posted at: www.ParksAreForPeople.org.

The Parks and Recreation Advisory Board normally meets at 5:30 p.m. on the second Tuesday of each month, on the 4th Floor of the Wellington Webb City Office Building, Court and Colfax. A list of board members is posted at http://www.denvergov.org/parksandrecreation/ContactUs/AdvisoryBoard/tabid/430499/Default.aspx, along with meeting minutes and agenda.

Two live feeds now covering Occupy Denver 11:29 pm 10-13-11

2011-10-13T23:46:00.001-06:00

http://www.9news.com/video/9newsonline.aspx

http://photos.denverpost.com/mediacenter/2011/10/live-camera-view-of-the-occupy-denver-protesters/

Hickenlooper, Hancock: Park may be cleared tonight

2011-10-13T13:48:00.003-06:00

Governor Hickenlooper and Mayor Hancock announced at an 11:30 am press conference today at the Capitol that all people may be cleared from the park at 11:00 pm tonight by State Troopers, assisted by Denver Police if necessary, in accordance with the law, and in the interest of public health and safety.

See also: http://denver.cbslocal.com/2011/10/13/governor-mayor-to-address-occupy-rally/
and http://www.thedenverchannel.com/news/29475029/detail.html
and http://www.kdvr.com/news/politics/kdvr-occupy-denver-protests-put-hickenlooper-hancock-in-a-quandry-20111012,0,1965021.story
and http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/10/13/occupydenver-gov-hickenlo_n_1009550.html

Occupy Denver delivers letter to Gov. Hickenlooper's Deputy Chief of Staff, Kevin Patterson

2011-10-12T20:17:00.000-06:00