Enforcement of Off Leash Dogs in Denver Parks

Subject: Off Leash 5/29/12

May 31, 2012

TO:  Scott Gilmore, Deputy Manager of Parks

RE:  Leash-Law Enforcement Meeting May 29, 2012

Scott, thank you for organizing and chairing the meeting "Enforcement of Off Leash Dogs in Denver Parks."  The participants you invited to the meeting are those that, through coordinated efforts, will be able to make the difference in addressing the illegal behavior of some dog owners across the city.

The group agreed to the following:

• Off leash dogs have caused too many safety issues and thus enforcement of Denver's leash law must be achieved; 
• Even the best voice controlled dog can become distracted and thus out of control;
• Total compliance with the leash law is unrealistic;
• For first time offenders, warnings should be issued unless the off leash dog owner's behavior warrants a ticket;
• Repeat offenders must be issued a ticket;
• Coordinated efforts of Park staff, animal control, Park Rangers and police officers will achieve the best results;
• Educating dog owners that increased enforcement efforts will start on June 1, 2012 needs to be worked on;
• Denver now has 10 dog parks available for those that desire to run their dog off leash;
• Denver's population continues to increase and thus more park land is needed for its residents.  

Read more »

Back to my gardening roots

Reflection by Gerald Trumbule

I've finally returned to gardening, which was an oppressive burden in the days of my childhood. My Dad always insisted that my older brother and I help with the gardening in the community plots of Greenbelt, Md., about a mile from our house. It seemed an endless, hot, sweaty, boring task, especially because it meant we had to give up swimming that day.

Amazingly, when I visited with my nephew Robert Trumbule who now lives in Greenbelt, I discovered that by chance, he had the same plot as my Dad, some 50+ years later, and was unaware of the coincidence (or maybe he was putting me on).

Now that I have nothing but free time, I must admit I find gardening enjoyable, in a Zen kind of way, and am growing lettuce (too much), radishes, beets, beans, onions, tomatoes, cucumbers and spinach. Fits in with future sustainability concept as well. And there's nothing like a really fresh salad with balsamic vinegar to eat while contemplating the ability of each seed to contain the blueprint for the delicious vegetable that is sustaining you.

Check you own (Colorado) voter status online and make changes

Confused by recent mailings and news articles about your status? The good news is that you can visit the Colorado Secretary of State's office and review and/or change your voter status. Once you're finished you can save it and it's done. Go HERE and get started.
1. Under View, click on "View my registration status".
2. On the right choose "Verify/update status".
3. Fill in your info and click on "Search".
4. You'll need to put in your driver's license number.
5. Make changes as needed.
6. Be sure to click on "Submit".

Go back later and see if it's been updated. Done. Be sure to actually vote!

Affordable Family Fun at the People's Fair! This weekend

This weekend marks the 41st anniversary of the CHUN Capitol Hill People’s Fair, and as always, much planning has been done to ensure that families have ample opportunity to enjoy the festival at an affordable price! Within the Kids and Family area located in TWO locations (in the interior of Civic Center Park and a Colfax and Broadway), there will be opportunities for free and low-cost family fun!  Along with the traditional bubble tower, there will be free crafts projects courtesy of KOSI 101, Home Depot Home Services, the US Mint, Wings over the Rockies Museum and the Girl Scouts on the interior of the park near the Seal Pond.   The People’s Fair non-profit showcase is nearby featuring exhibits from roughly 80 area nonprofit organizations, including several animal welfare groups.  The Denver Dumb Friends League returns to the People’s Fair this year with their Mobile Adoption Vehicle (located on 14th Avenue near Bannock Street). Our People’s Fair carnival returns with inflatable bounce houses, obstacle courses, slides and other attractions as well as the highly popular quad bungee trampolines and a rock climbing wall.  Carnival attractions are located in both Kids and Family area locations.  People’s Fair tickets are available at the four main intersections of the park, as well as mid-Bannock, Mid-Broadway, and in the middle of the park.  The tickets are good for food at the food courts, beverages at booths throughout the fairgrounds, and the carnival attractions, pony rides, zoo, and hamster balls.

Report from the Street

Some years back I met a homeless man who was living across the street from the block I live on.  I've gotten to know him over the years, and he is a reliable source of what is going on "on the street". He now lives in an apartment with the help of Denver's Road Home program. He knows all the players in my neighborhood.

When I spoke to him yesterday, he said that the homeless have moved into the halls and stairwells of his building to get off of the street. They are well aware of the new Unauthorized Camping law. This of course makes it unpleasant for the formerly homeless now living lawfully in these buildings, but they don't complain because they don't want to make waves.

Congratulations Mr. Mayor, problem solved.

Long live Gary Reilly!

Thanks to Mike Keefe and Mark Stevens, Gary Reilly's prodigious writing will not disappear into the dustbin, despite his death in March of 2011. Instead, his series of "Murph" novels will be published starting with "The Asphalt Warrior". The launch will take place June 5 at the Tattered Cover in lower downtown, 1628 16th St at 7:30 p.m. Read the whole story here.

Gary and I worked on a number of projects back in the 1980s, including "The Heart of Darkness Club" and "Eddie Starr". We became fast friends and, unfortunately, great drinking buddies, thinking we were operating in the style of Charles Bukowski. This ultimately lead to our parting of the ways, and we had had no contact since then.

Strange it was, then, that I woke up on Christmas morning of 2010 with one thought - call Gary Reilly. There was no dream preceding it that I could remember, just the thought - call Gary Reilly. So I googled Gary that morning but could not find his phone number, although his address was the same. Would that I had driven to his house instead of putting the note I had written aside. When next I picked up the note and googled again, Gary had already passed.

I had saved all of our efforts from those days, including many photos and videotapes we shot, and all of our collaboration and communications with Rob Kirk, our partner and Hollywood contact. Rob had done his best to pitch our project, an "entertainment concept" in Hollywood, and although there was interest, it was deemed to be too "scary" and "ahead of its time". "Too far out", they said. 

I "take a meeting" with potential producer Sheila Fortune and Gary Reilly. Note picture of Bob Dobbs on the table.

I hope to be able to publish some of this work in the near future. Hat's off to Gary Reilly and his publishers Keefe and Stevens. I can't wait to buy the first book in the series, "The Asphalt Warrior". See you at the Tattered Cover on June 5th.

On-line YouTube series

I've been hoping that this genre (episodic web shows) would improve, and these guys are actually getting there with The Grawlix. Good production values and filmed in Denver.

Stay hip - metaphorically speaking

It's Friday before a 3-day holiday. Get loose. Get past it.

Colorado MMJ Patients: Please Share

Press release from: Twirling Hippy Confections  

CSP's "100 days of Heat" campaign kicks off the holiday weekend tomorrow in Colorado with increased emphasis on "impaired drivers".

Colorado public radio reports that CO had 185 alcohol related traffic fatalities last year, (still NO stats on Cannabis, CDOT reports numbers too low to track).

MOST IMPORTANTLY Be Alert and Drive Safely... Check your lights, buckle your belt, and pack your stash in a scent-proof container, get out of the car to medicate when traveling, reveal nothing concerning your patient status until the possession of MMJ becomes unavoidably obvious to the enforcement agent.

Please be responsible. DO NOT give these nanogram limiting douchebags anything to build false statistics about patient road safety upon.

this public service notice sent by www.twirlinghippy.com 303 922 3661 

INC Community News May 23, 2012

    www.denverinc.org
 

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EVENTS

 

May 26 KILOMETERS FOR C.O.P.S

During this Memorial Day weekend, the Denver Police Department will host the second annual KILOMETERS FOR C.O.P.S. event on Saturday May 26, 2012.  Kilometers for C.O.P.S. is a 5K Run / Jog / Walk to benefit the nonprofit organization Concerns Of Police Survivors. 

 

This exciting 5K race will take place at 9:00am on the Colorado State Patrol’s driving track on South Table Mountain in Golden, CO.  Prizes will be awarded to the top male and female in each age group.  Whether you wish to register to run or walk the race; show up to encourage runners; or donate funds to this effort, you can find details online at http://www.bearevents.org/k4c#!__k4c.; you will also find a schedule of events, directions to the driving track, and race rules at this site. 

 

June 1 SUMMER OF READING KICK-OFF EVENT ON JUNE 1, 2012Denver Public Library is once again teaming up with Elitch Gardens Theme & Water Park to launch the annual Summer of Reading program with a book drive, live entertainment, and special discounted park admission. Families will be able to sign-up for the Summer of Reading program on-site at Elitch Gardens on Friday, June 1 from 10 a.m. until 3 p.m.  Guests who bring a donation of a new children’s book to the Reading Rocket Bookmobile at the entrance to Elitch Gardens will receive $10 off Main Gate full price adult admission to enjoy a full day of rides and entertainment.

What: Summer of Reading Kick-Off at Elitch Gardens Theme & Water Park

Date:  Friday, June 1, 2012
Time: 10 a.m. - 3 p.m.  (Park is open until 9 p.m.)Location: Elitch Gardens Theme & Water Park, 2000 Elitch Circle, Denver, CO 80204
Appropriate: All ages

 

June 1 COUNTY FAIR AT CITY PARK AND DISTRICT 8 ICE CREAM SOCIAL

Friday June 1, 2012,

6:00-9:00PM
Pavilion at City Park

Fun for the whole family, this event includes: The Denver Municipal Band, face painting, hat making, free ice cream and a chance to enjoy time with your neighbors in the most beautiful park in Denver! Sponsorships are still available. Please let us know if you're interested by emailing us.
Volunteers needed:  we are looking for 15 to 20 volunteers to support our efforts at County Fair this year. We need help in setting up, cleaning up after the event, outreach to attendees, and a few other miscellaneous tasks. If you or someone you know would be willing to assist, please email us with your contact information, the time you would be available, and if you have any preference in your assignment.

 

June 2 ANNUAL PEOPLE’S FAIR

41st Annual CHUN Capitol Hill People’s Fair, produced by Capitol Hill United Neighborhoods, a registered Denver neighborhood organization. 

 

The People’s Fair will be held on Saturday, June 2 from 10:00am-8:00pm, and Sunday, June 3 from 10:00am-7:00pm at Civic Center Park in Downtown Denver.

 

Today the People’s Fair is one of the largest two-day festivals in the country with over 250,000 fairgoers, and is one of Colorado’s longest-running outdoor urban festivals featuring handmade arts & crafts, food from local restaurants, kids activities, and live local entertainment.  Special features of the People’s Fair include a wine pavilion adjacent to the jazz stage, the Mural Project (groups of Denver youth design and create murals that share a central theme during the Fair), a Passport Scavenger Hunt, and an ever-evolving Kids and Family Area with kids craft projects, a carnival, and much more.  For more information, please visit: www.chundenver.org.

 

June 2 COMMUNITY FORUM- CONGRESSWOMAN DIANA DEGETTE

Congresswoman, Diana DeGette invites interested persons to attend a Community Forum for the Northeast Denver portion of the 1^st Congressional District on

Saturday, June 2

1:00PM-2:00PM

Denver Public School Evie Dennis Campus, 4800 Telluride St. (Green Valley Ranch).

Purpose is to discuss current issues such as jobs, economy, Social Security, healthcare and voting rights.  If interested, please RSVP to Tricia Stevens at degette.RSVP@mail.house.gove or 303.844.4988 by May 29.  Please advise 1) name of the forum (North East) and 2) the top issue you are interested in discussing as well.

 

June 7 DPL USED BOOK SALE

The Denver Public Library’s Annual Used Book Sale will take place outdoors on the north lawn of Denver Central Library, 14^th Ave. & Broadway, and features over 70,000 items -- including children's books, non-fiction and fiction books, along with CDs, DVDs and audio books -- all at bargain prices starting at under a $1. On Saturday, June 9, during the book sale, the Library will be hosting a special Family Fun Day presented by Mountain States Toyota with free activities and giveaways.

For more information about the Gigantic Used Book Sale, visit http://dplfriends.org/

Public Sale hours are as follows:

·         Thursday, June 7, 10 a.m. - 4 p.m.

·         Friday, June 8, 10 a.m. - 4 p.m.

·         Saturday, June 9, 10 a.m. - 4 p.m., from noon - 4 p.m., the Library will also be hosting a Family Fun Day activities presented by Mountain States Toyota.

·         Sunday, June 10, 10 a.m. - 1 p.m.

 

June 7 CHERRY CREEK AREA PLANS TO BE ‘HEARD’ JUNE 6

The Planning Board draft of the Cherry Creek Area Plan is available for public review.  Planning Board will hold a public hearing regarding the plan draft on June 6^th at 3:00 PM in the Webb Municipal Building, 4^th floor.  You may view the draft at:  www.denvergov.org/cherrycreek.  Thank you.

 

June 12 NAVIGATING THE 21^ST CENTURY WITH FUTURIST GARRY GOLDEN

Tuesday, June 12, Navigating the 21^st Century with Futurist Garry Golden, 6 p.m., at the Denver Central Library.

  

Join civic and business leaders from across Denver to see how demographic shifts, technological changes and other factors will dramatically change the ways we interact with each other, find information and learn throughout our lives.  

·         How do we learn to better anticipate and lead change based on where the world is headed?

·         How do we think about and plan for a future shaped by transformational change?

The presentation is free, but RSVPs are required. Email hmiles@denverlibrary.org or call 720-865-2045 for more information or to reserve your spot.

 

June 20 OVERLAND PARK SUMMER SOLSTICE CELEBRATION & COOKOUT

The Overland Park Neighborhood Association Is having it's 3rd annual Summer Solstice Celebration and Cookout. June 20th, a Wednesday, 5 pm till dark. It's the longest day of the year and we'll be celebrating at The Overland Pond Park. Bring the kids. Fishing instruction and all gear will be provided.. 

 

From S. Santa Fe, go west on Florida ( Circle K and Aqua Golf ), to Overland Pond Park, on the right . Plenty of parking is available. Come see our little jewel of a park. The neighborhood volunteers have been working for several years, to bring it back to life and it's a beauty! All neighborhoods are welcome.

 

 

PUBLIC NOTICES

 

STAGE 1 DROUGHT

Denver Water Board of Commissioners has declared a Stage 1 drought in recognition of current watershed conditions, including very low stream flow and predictions of more dry weather. A Stage 1 drought involves voluntary measures to reduce water use. Water should always be used prudently, but heightened awareness will be needed this year. The goal of this drought declaration is to preserve reservoir storage going into 2013, in case next year’s snowpack is also below normal. In response to the Stage 1 drought declaration, Denver Water is asking its customers to reduce outdoor watering. Customers can do that by:

 

·         Watering only two days a week, and using a day of rain to skip watering.

·         Only watering the areas of your yard that are dry. For example, if shady areas look fine, only water the dry areas that get the most sun exposure.

·         Watering early in the morning or in the evening to avoid evaporation.

·         Adjusting sprinkler systems throughout the summer, starting with the use of less water this spring. Don’t just set your sprinkler system once and forget about it.

·         Watering two minutes less.

 

LEASH LAWS STEPPED UP

Denver’s Animal Care & Control, Parks and Recreation, and Denver Police are teaming up to help ensure the safety of people and pets in city parks this summer.  As part of this effort, the city will increase park patrols and enforcement of dog off-leash violations beginning June 1.

 

As part of the stepped up enforcement, residents are encouraged to report specific problem areas to animalcomments@denvergov.org, or by calling 311.  Denver city ordinance requires dogs to be on a leash and under control of their owner at all times. The city’s leash laws are intended to protect the health and safety of both the people and pets that enjoy visiting Denver's many parks and open areas.