Thursday, October 31, 2013

MAYOR MICHAEL B. HANCOCK IS COMING TO YOUR NEIGHBORHOOD!


Please join Mayor Michael B. Hancock, his Cabinet and department heads as they come together for their quarterly neighborhood Cabinet meeting. Hear a first-hand account of what is happening in your community and around the city. Following the meeting, all attendees will have the unique opportunity to engage in a one-on-one dialogue with the Mayor and his leadership team.

WHAT: Mayor Hancock’s Cabinet in the Community

WHO: Denver residents 

WHERE: Scheitler Recreation Center at Berkeley Park, 5031 West 46th Ave.
WHEN: Saturday, November 2, 2013
TIME: 9:00 a.m. – 11:00 a.m. Free continental breakfast!

Give Denver SuperShuttle Drivers a Fair Deal


Now that the vote has taken place and the majority of the members have voted to reject SuperShuttle’s last offer and authorize a strike, we need to get this story out to the public and press and we need to build support for our cause.  A Facebook page has been created called, “Give Denver SuperShuttle Drivers a Fair Deal” for us to share our personal stories and any news items about this effort.  Please take a minute to “like” the page, tell your friends, and spread the word.

Monday, October 28, 2013

MAP OF DENVER'S SECURITY CAMERAS

CommunityCam is a free publicly-driven crowdsourced map that has plotted over 550 outdoor security cameras in the Denver metro area.  We’re hoping it’ll serve as a resource for pedestrians, cyclists, and runners who are vulnerable to street crimes like hit-and-runs.
In the event of a street crime or incident, victims or their family can check out the map to see if a public camera may have caught it on tape. Sometimes we’re faster than the police at retrieving valuable info. Let me know if you have any questions!  
Here’s the link to the map: http://www.videosurveillance.com/communitycam/
-Click “view the map” and then select “Denver, CO”
Cheers,
Ellen
Ellen Arndt
Communications Manager
 www.videosurveillance.com

17858 SW Upper Boones Ferry Rd
Portland, OR 97224

The Withdrawal of a Fracking Champion - Naysayer - November, 2013

Opinion by Phil Goodstein

Those who love fracking are disappointed that Ron Binz is not going to serve as head of the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission. Once a seeming public advocate against the monopolistic power of Colorado utilities, in recent years Binz has been the personification of thoroughly shallow environmentalists.

In particular, rather than pushing for public control of utilities or asking why pollution is as terrible a threat as ever despite all of the environmentalists’ seeming political victories, Binz used his power
on the Colorado Public Utilities Commission to favor natural gas over coal.

There has been no reflection about what this actually means. In particular, it has come at the time when petrochemical corporations have engaged in new and highly destructive ways of procuring
natural gas, particularly fracking. But linking causes and effects has always been missing from the self-righteous wing of the conservationist movement. Nor is it surprising that Binz has been closely
allied with Bill Ritter, a corporate Democrat who, upon leaving office, gained a sinecure at Colorado State University as the head of the phantom Center for the New Energy Economy, a program to which Binz has had links.

Given the way Barack Obama has readily supported the Wall Street agenda and is leaning to okay a pipeline which will encourage the plunder of tars in Canada, Binz seemed ideal for Washington. Naturally, the environmentalists backed the appointment. Coal interests, however, squawked so loudly that Binz was unwilling to face a Senate committee, withdrawing his nomination to head the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission. Such is the legacy of an advocate who has come to challenge nothing of substance, merely advocating the replacement of one filthy source of power with another. It also shows how compromisers invariably fail, particularly when muscle, imagination, and a real vision of a new economy are vital to clean up the mess sponsored by the likes of Ritter and Binz.

Will the school tax ($950M) be voted down?

From the Denver Business Journal, with 1487 votes so far.


Are the backers running scared?
Bill and Melinda Gates, New York Mayor Michael Bloomberg and a charity founded by Steve Jobs’ widow are among major new donors to Colorado Commits to Kids, the campaign committee that’s pushing to pass Amendment 66. The committee reported $2.5 million in donations during the last two weeks.
I'm not sure what they will do with this much more money at this late date. If they run those same TV ads (with the kids in the gym) any more our TV sets will start to melt down. When they call in the big pockets at the last minute (election in one week) it must be desperation.

PART 1 - MORE THAN METAPHORS - SLAM POETRY BENEFIT - October 25, 2013



I was privileged to have the opportunity to video the "More Than Metaphors" benefit hosted at the Damascus Grill last Friday. Amal Kassir and Kyle Sutherland put together an amazing roster of slam poets who rocked the house. These poets present a depth of emotion rarely found in today's world of hypertext. I was repeatedly brought to tears by the power of their raw energy in this new slam poetry medium.
Where does it come from? How do they do it? It is no small feat to slam through 10 minutes of rapid-fire recitation with such feeling. I am in awe.
The benefit raised $1324 in donations and a large amount in hope and love for the Syrian people who have suffered so much. I'll be trying to do my part by posting video of the poets as they are rendered from my computer.

Sunday, October 27, 2013

DAY TRIP TO ESTES PARK - October 23, 2013

We usually go to Estes Park around this time of year to see the elk perform their annual mating ritual, aka rut. This year, after the floods, we weren't quite sure what we would find. Our route would be different, that we knew, as 34 and 36 are still closed. The "Peak to Peak" Highway, what we call the back way, is currently the only way in to Estes and the Rocky Mountain National Park, and it's about a 2.5 hr drive from Denver.

The highway itself is in pretty good shape with some areas already repaved and much road work underway. In areas where the road had no shoulder, you could see the effects of water erosion that had nibbled away at the asphalt, but it was not enough to cause concern. However, occasionally seeing a five-foot ditch at the very edge of the road does cause you to slow down.

The area around the St. Malo church was impressive, as the flood had obviously poured across the road and left a large debris field around the church. Thanks to Ian Stearns for posting:



The traffic was sparse, but it was a weekday. Estes Park's main drag was nearly empty. The shops that were open had an official "inspected" sign in their windows, but many shops were closed.


If you value the people and town of Estes Park and would like to see them continue on, make the trip yourself and spend some money while you are there.

Rocky Mountain National Park

The old-timer at the gate told us the Elk were at Upper Beaver Creek, and indeed, they were.
(Using the phone as camera does have its limitations.)

Master of his domain

Large calf nursing 

That's the calf on the right


See ya!




Friday, October 25, 2013

SCHOOL REFORM AND REACTION by Phil Goodstein - The Naysayer - November, 2013

Historian Phil Goodstein
 In 2010, Democratic Park Hill state senator Michael Johnston led a successful attack on teacher tenure in the General Assembly. Unions, he hinted, were the major obstacle to school “reform” and the failure of academies to serve as successful factories pouring knowledge into the heads of students. Such is the ideology of those who have crusaded to transform public schools into an annex of corporate America, complete with intense money-making opportunities. The more they have advanced, the more they have claimed further “reform” is necessary while they have endlessly demonized teacher unions.

This year, Johnston has been in the forefront of a campaign to hike taxes to pay for what he promises will be a uniform, well-financed Colorado educational system. Far from seeing that Johnston’s support is thoroughly ominous, the state’s major teachers’ union, the Colorado Education Association (CEA), signed onto the effort, leading the petition drive to place Johnston’s scheme on the ballot as Amendment 66. In campaigning for the proposal, the labor group has said nothing about Johnston’s past record or the way that more money has not benefited the schools. On the contrary, increased financing has usually landed up in corporate pockets while teachers are treated ever more like wageworkers. If the CEA had the slightest integrity, it would openly say this is what school “reform” is all about, clearly separating itself from the likes of Johnston and his past attacks on teachers.

By collaborating with a man who has viciously attacked it in the past and making Amendment 66 its passion, the CEA obscures why schools are in such crisis. Money by itself will not improve education. It will simply strengthen corporate domination of the schools. Those behind that push, such as Johnston, have a thorough contempt for unions and anything that interferes with their domination of society. Understanding this is the first step the CEA must take if it actually wants to represent its members, improve their lot, and make schools more than drudge-inducing institutions that more resemble prisons than temples of learning.


Rally Saturday Oct 26, at Noon, at the State Capital in Denver, to Demand That the NSA STOP DOMESTIC SPYING

PLEASE come to the Rally Saturday Oct 26, at Noon, at the State Capital in Denver, to Demand That the NSA, the National Security Agency and all other US Goverment and State and Municipal Goverments STOP DOMESTIC SPYING ON INNOCENT AMERICANS unless they have individual Warrants.

"The right of the people to be secure in their persons, houses, papers, and effects, against unreasonable searches and seizures, shall not be violated, and no Warrants shall issue, but upon probable cause, supported by Oath or affirmation, and particularly describing the place to be searched, and the persons or things to be seized." 
-Fourth Amendment, United States Constitution.

Unwarranted searches by NSA are the same as the "General Warrants" of England's King George III, which allowed Redcoat soldiers in Revolutionary War days to enter American's home or business and ransack it to look at all of your papers in fishing expeditions.  This abomination is one reason for our Declaration of Independence from Britain.  

Our Rally Saturday at the State Capital at Noon will be far more effective with your participation. Please bring a Sign if you have time to make one.  Thanks for your support.
John H Kennedy
Denver,CO
720-384-7084
A lifelong Democratic voter.
Email protestinthestreet@yahoo.com

Wednesday, October 23, 2013

UPDATE: THC NEWSLETTER by Jessica LeRoux

We've already found a glitch in the MITS system: System to track and regulate cannabis isnt even on line yet and we already have a major security breach in the website to set up owners to take the classes to learn to use the incomplete system. Holy FUCK! Not only is the website not secured, in and of that anybody can use it even if they are not in the CO cannabis industry in any way shape or form... BUT once you enter a license number (it could be found on any packaging, maybe in the trash, or on many industry websites), if you enter any badge number into the system that turns out to be a valid badge, that badge holders name automatically is filled in... giving persons with no business or right to know access to the name of virtually every person who has ever been badged in the state of Colorado... LEOs can be playing with the system right now, so can identity thieves… Oh and since the manifest system for transport of cannabis has never been secure now black marketers have access to the names and badge numbers they can plug into a manifest and carry their weight from border to border w/o a LEO getting a clue… great! 

MED/FRANWELL you are all completely INCOMPETENT.

got questions, go play with the system yourself, http://www.mymits.com you will get names quick if you know how the badges are numbered… 

EZ VOTING - JUST SAY NO, NO, NO, NO, NO, NO!

This year's mail-in ballot is really easy.

School Board (non-recipient of corporate big-bucks)
 Roger Kilgore
 Michael Kiley

(No new taxes)
66  = NO
AA = NO
2A = NO

(No to all "housekeeping" - there is always a hidden reason)
2B = NO
2C = NO
2D = NO


Monday, October 21, 2013

THC NEWSLETTER by Jessica LeRoux - October 21, 2013

Hey Now, 


#1 issue for today is the meeting determining who and how concentrates can be legally produced indoors. 
The Concentrate Production Safety Working Group
October 21, 2013 from 1PM to 5PM at the Department of Revenue, 1881 Pierce Street, Lakewood, CO 80214; Entrance B, Conference Room 110
October 25, 2013 from 1PM to 5PM at the Department of Revenue, 1881 Pierce Street, Lakewood, CO 80214; Entrance B, Conference Room 110 (if necessary)

This meeting is in Lakewood not Denver so give yourself time to get over there and if you can't attend send a written comment here: 
The SLA encourages interested parties to submit written comments on the issues to be addressed during this rulemaking by November 13, 2013, so that the SLA can review comments prior to the rulemaking hearing.  Written comments will also be accepted until the rulemaking record is closed following the hearing.
The SLA will accept all written comments but strongly encourages written comments to be submitted on Form DR 2477.  The form is available on the DOR’s Amendment 64 page, which can be found at:  www.colorado.gov/revenue/amendment64.  
Please print, complete and save Form DR 2477 as a separate document and then submit the Form via e-mail.  Written comments and completed Forms DR 2477 may be emailed to: dor_ruleform@state.co.us.  In addition, you may submit completed Forms DR 2477 to:
Colorado Department of Revenue
Executive Director’s Office 
RE: Rules 
1375 Sherman Street, Room 409
Denver, CO 80261


MORE THAN METAPHORS


Sunday, October 20, 2013

NEIGHBORHOOD CRIME ALERT

Hey everyone. Just a heads-up that there was an attempted break in on the 2500 block of Franklin Street this morning at 5:45am. One window was smashed with two bricks and another window was attempted to be open by someone kicking it. Fortunately whoever tried was not able to get in the home. Just keep your eyes and ears open for anything suspicious!

Friday, October 18, 2013

I LOVE SNOW

Opinion by Gerald Trumbule

York St looking north at 5:30 am Oct 18, 2013
It's the reason I moved to Denver. But I prefer it in feet rather than fractions of an inch.

Thursday, October 17, 2013

Wednesday, October 16, 2013

Shutdown Rally

From Dave Felice:


Members of the American Federation of Government Employees (AFGE) gather at the Housing and Urban Development offices in downtown Denver to protest the closure of the federal government.  The workers rallied at the same time a so-called historic agreement was being made public in Washington DC.  AFGE represents several thousand employees at federal agencies in the Denver area, including HUD, Social Security, and the Environmental Protection Agencies.  Representatives of the Denver Area Labor Federation and other unions, including Mail Handlers and Communications Workers, along with Jobs with Justice and the Colorado Progressive Coalition, joined the rally.

Shutdown Rally this morning


Monday, October 14, 2013

A Hootenanny Good Time

You are invited to the following event:
FRIENDS OF DENVER PARKS " A HOOTENANNY GOOD TIME " GALA
A fundraising gala, A Hootenanny Good Time, to be held on Saturday, October 26, 6:00-10:00 p.m.,at the beautiful  Crystal Rose Event Center 9755 East Hampden Avenue in Denver.   Friends of Denver Parks is now in Round Three of its legal challenge to the City of Denver and expenses are mounting. Our pro-bono attorneys at the law firm of Benson & Case have spent over 345 hours in our behalf so..

View Map 
Attend Event



.


eventbrite
Eventbrite

Saturday, October 12, 2013

NEWS NUGGETS from Dave Felice

You are invited to join Diane Ravitch for a tele-town hall discussion of the most challenging issues facing public education today.  Diane’s recent book, Reign of Error, lights the way for communities to undo corporate reform and deliver equity and justice in education.“[Diane] is America’s foremost historian in the areas of education policy, she’s a champion of public education, she’s a courageous speaker and she’s a truth-teller.” –Actor, Matt Damon

Wednesday, October 16th , 8pm Eastern 
(7pm Central, 6pm Mountain, 5pm Pacific)
  
** Limited space is available!  Please RSVP by Saturday, Oct. 12th.

I want a Nasal Ranger

Opinion by Gerald Trumbule
Nasal Ranger® Field Olfactometer

If we agree to any tax that allows for increases in the future without voter approval, we are giving away our TABOR rights to vote on all tax increases. Although an additional sales tax on marijuana of 3.5% may seem reasonable for the City of Denver, when added to excise, State and regular sales tax you'll stack up close to 40% tax on this humble weed. That doesn't seem reasonable.

One argument used by the proponents is that they will need lots more money for "regulation and public safety". I don't think liquor sales are taxed for these purposes, and that particular poison kills tens of thousands yearly. Additionally, regular sales tax on medical marijuana reportedly brought in $3,900,000 last year, and estimating that the recreational market is 10 times bigger we can guess that without any new tax, recreational marijuana could bring in $39,000,000 in new revenue. Can we get some perspective here?

SIGN THE PETITION

GO HERE

NOW WHAT?


Friday, October 11, 2013

NEWS NUGGETS from Dave Felice

This relates to the private business use of public park property.  Denver Parks and Recreation calls this commercial use "Private Outdoor Fee-Based Activity"
We will be presenting the revised POFA Policy, Procedures and Fees at the October 22 City Council Land Use, Transportation and Infrastructure Committee at 10:30 a.m. in Room 391 at the City and County Building.  I have included the link to all of the revised information for POFA that is also posted on the DPR website.  There will be a Public Hearing at this committee meeting and any of you are welcome to attend and sign up to speak if you wish.
 

BAD TIMING, MR. MAYOR

Opinion by Gerald Trumbule 

As reported in the Denver Post: "Your activities should not pervade others' peace and ability to enjoy," said Denver Mayor Michael Hancock. "Marijuana is one of those elements that can be quite pervasive and invasive. I shouldn't have to smell your activities from your backyard."
A mere 3 weeks before we get to vote on an (excessive) tax on our recently regulated marijuana, Hancock has outdone himself in his apparent hatred of marijuana. Here's a clip from back when Hancock was on City Council (8/07):


He was reportedly "outraged" by the 420 celebration in Civic Center Park and the recent pot give-away in which some smoked openly in public while the cops stood down.
"The organizers are going to have to think long and hard about the kind of risk they and their patrons will be taking by deciding to puff up at the park," Hancock said. "We are not going to tolerate it anymore. It's done. ... We want to make very clear, now and forever, and that is zero tolerance."
Wow, throw down the gauntlet Mr. Mayor. Trying to arrest 20,000 tokers next 4/20 should prove to be quite a spectacle.

Here's a link to the proposed ordinance.



Thursday, October 10, 2013

DPS Candidate Forum - Tonight

The Denver Public Schools candidate forum – co-hosted by GPHC and the Northeast Park Hill Coalition – will be held Thursday, October 10.
 
The forum is from 6:00 to 8:30 p.m. at District 2 Police Station, 3921 North Holly Street, in Park Hill. 

Candidates for At-Large (Michael Kiley, Barbara O'Brien, Joan Poston) and candidates for District 4 (Roger Kilgore, Landri Taylor) will be participating.
 

Wednesday, October 9, 2013

DENVER POLICE DEPARTMENT - CRIME ALERT

DENVER POLICE DEPARTMENT
Crime Alert
On October 1, 2013 at about 9pm a woman was walking on E. 7th Avenue near Gilpin Street. At the mouth of the Franklin/Gilpin alley she was grabbed by two unknown parties who were masked and wearing dark clothing and tried to pull her into the alley. She fought her assailants and they fled the area. They apparently got into a waiting vehicle and when they tried to flee the alley they struck a dumpster, damaging the vehicle before they fled. The vehicle lost the driver side mirror and parts of the tail light and a reflector. The parts were collected and in checking with an auto dealer it appears the vehicle is likely a late 1990s gold colored Nissan Pathfinder.

Any one having information on a vehicle fitting this description that has new damage to the left side and the driver mirror missing is asked to forward the information to Crime Stoppers 720-913-7867.

Demand better air quality rules to protect kids’ health

Colorado Moms Meet with CDPHE About Air Pollution and Kids’ Health 


DENVER – Today four moms from the grassroots network Colorado Moms Know Best met with Ill Allison, director of the Air Pollution Control Division of the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment, Karin McGowan, CDPHE community relations director and Doug Young, senior policy director for the Governor’s office to discuss their concerns about air pollution and kids’ health.  Determined to influence the upcoming Air Quality Control Commission’s upcoming rulemaking on air emissions, the moms have collected more than 8,000 signatures on a letter to Gov. John Hickenlooper calling for common sense yet innovative standards to control oil and gas emissions.  

“Exposure to ozone and other emissions from oil and gas operations can harm kids’ health for a lifetime,” said Jaime Travis, Colorado Moms Know Best Head Mom.  “We are optimistic that the Governor and the state health department seem inclined to support better air quality standards for detecting and repairing leaks and natural gas venting.”

The moms are advocating for air quality rules that require the oil and gas industry to:
  • Detect and repair drilling leaks
  • Stop natural gas venting
  • Use capture technologies on storage tanks
  • Disclose chemical emissions
“My kids should be able to go to school and play on the playground without me worrying about the air they’re breathing,” said Andrea Roy, Erie mom and supporter of the Colorado Moms Know Best network. “We hope that common sense rules on storage tank capture technologies and disclosure of chemical emissions will be included in the standards, as well.”   

Regulators in Colorado have identified the oil and gas industry as the biggest source of volatile organic compounds (VOC) emissions and methane in the state. Methane, the primary component of natural gas, is one of the main greenhouse gases contributing to climate change and VOCs are one of the major contributors to ozone pollution.

Oil and gas development is growing in Colorado  – since 2000, statewide drilling for oil and gas has more than doubled and drilling has nearly tripled in the Front Range. With that development there has been an increase in smog inducing air pollution around oil and gas sites now moving in residential areas.  These noxious emissions can worsen and even cause asthma, gastrointestinal problems, constant bloody noses and other illnesses.  Already one out of 10 children have asthma in Colorado, an even higher rate than in adults because their lungs are still developing. 

Monday, October 7, 2013

Boulder Creek Walkabout - October 2, 2013

Walking West on the North bank of Boulder Creek

"Private Property" on the South bank

Flotsam in branches gives an estimate of flood height at about 7 feet above current level...

...including this tie

Lots of debris in the creek 

Old bridge works


Dead trees stacked on live tree

Man-made gizmo

Boulderites walk wherever they want

Be careful where you park. This UNMARKED space two blocks from the mall resulted in a $15 ticket. You gotta be hip to the system, which we weren't.
And by the way, don't even think about having lunch at the T|aco, unless you are seeking the world's smallest, two-bite taco for $4, although I must admit that the waitress did warn us that "the tacos are small".

Sunday, October 6, 2013

OUR SHIP TOOK A HIT and WE SHUDDERED ! BUT WE'VE CLEANED THE BARRELS AND OUR CANNONS ARE RETURNING FIRE!!


HERE IS THE LATEST NEWS FROM FRIENDS OF DENVER PARKS!

Dear Friends,
 On Friday October 4, Friends of Denver Parks filed a written motion asking the Colorado Court of Appeals to grant an injunction to prevent the destruction of Hampden Heights North Park while the Court of Appeals reviews the merits of the appeal.  A copy of the Motion for Injunction Pending Appeal is attached. 
 The motion was accompanied by 18 media articles, many authored by recipients of this email, as Appendices to show the Court of Appeals the level of public interest in this issue. 
On Thursday October 3 Friends filed its opening brief.  A copy of the brief is attached also.
 Based on the attached briefs, do you think that the plaintiffs have a good enough argument to convince the court of appeals to allow the people to vote on this issue? 
 Thank you for your interest in this important public issue.  Please contact John Case at 303-667-7407 if you have questions. 
 John Case
BENSON & CASE, LLPWrongful Death | Serious Injuries Civil Trials | AppealsWith partners expert in Estate Planning | Probate | Real Estate | Business & Corporate | Divorce 1660 S. Albion Street, Suite 1100, Denver, Colorado 80222Phone|303-757-8300     Fax|303-753-0444   Web| www.bensoncase.com “The greatest compliment we can receive is a personal referral.  Please tell your friends about us.”

TO READ THE BRIEFS
www.friendsofdenverparks.org  See History Tab
Filed Legal Documents
Filed Legal Documents Colorado Court of Appeals Oct 4, 2013
Medium-small black squareOpening Brief, Certificate of Compliance
Medium-small black squareOpening Brief
Medium-small black squareMotion To Supplement Record

NEWS NUGGETS by Dave Felice

Speaking from Washington to political activists in Denver, a political analyst for the Communications Workers of America says "The government shutdown) is going to go on for a while."
 
While the government shutdown is in effect, the CWA analyst remarks:  "There are federal government employees who will be without jobs, without pay, and without protection for the indefinite future."
 
The shutdown means there's a possibility that government employees without income could start to impact social services, such as local food banks.  Anyone who knows a government employee ought to thank the employee for dedicated public service and express understanding that this situation is not the fault of the everyday government workers.
 
This message is not intended or to imply any political opinion.  The message is only meant to provide information that is not available from any other source.   

Saturday, October 5, 2013

Thursday, October 3, 2013

Where in the world is Councilman Albus Brooks?


Let's see, last year it was 10 days in Kenya, last month it was a visit to China (picture above), and now a 24-day trip around Europe. Who knew representing District 8 required so much international travel?

(From Facebook) 10 months ago I was accepted into the Marshall Memorial Fellowship program, which allows emerging leaders to engage in geopolitical conversation; and improve transatlantic relations with our European neighbors.  
Well.... today I embark on the 24 day journey over the Atlantic. My itinerary is as follows: DC,->Brussels, Belgium->Stockholm, Sweden-> Lisbon, Portugal-> Zagreb, Croatia-> Berlin, Germany. I am humbled to be a part of this group and honored to represent Denver (Especially Great 8) in these Countries.

Special thanks to my two favorite ladies Debi Gorton Brooks letting me go (kinda), and Joyce Brooks (mama) for flying to Denver and taking care of Debi and my kids.


And this from his current Facebook page:

Former? Is there something we don't know?

Wednesday, October 2, 2013