Colorado Springs Independent

7 Days to Live

letters@csindy.com — Thu, 05 Nov 2009 04:00:00 -0700

5 Thursday dance If you're like me — I mean, the kind of person who choreographs his own dance moves to Rihanna when nobody else is home — then this one's for you. The Top 10 finalists from the fifth season of FOX's So You Think You Can Dance will be at the World Arena (3185 Venetucci Blvd., worldarena.com) at 7:30 tonight, to redefine the meaning of "amateur dancer." Not that you and I don't already have our own meaning,…]]> [ Subscribe to the comments on this story ]

Big gigs

letters@csindy.com — Thu, 05 Nov 2009 04:00:00 -0700

Upcoming concerts here and around the region. BT Boulder Theater, bouldertheater.com or 303/786-7030 CV Contact venue, listed in Venues Directory FT Fox Theatre, foxtheatre.com or 303/443-3399 LN Live Nation, livenation.com or 877/598-8497 TH TicketHorse, tickethorse.com or 866/461-6556 TM Ticketmaster, ticketmaster.com or 800/745-3000 TWB TicketWeb, ticketweb.com or 800/965-4827 TWST TicketsWest, ticketswest.com or 866/464-2626 Chevelle, Fillmore Auditorium, Denver, Nov. 5, LN Roger Clyne & the Peacemakers, with Angie Stevens & the Beautiful Wreck, Black Sheep, Nov. 5, TWB Joshua Radin, Bluebird Theater, Denver, Nov. 5, TM They Might Be…]]> [ Subscribe to the comments on this story ]

Stealing beauty

letters@csindy.com (Bree Abel) — Thu, 05 Nov 2009 04:00:00 -0700

Local photographer Paul deBerjeois' alias, Color Bandit, is in reality less menacing and more practical than it sounds. by Bree Abel Local photographer Paul deBerjeois' alias, Color Bandit, is in reality less menacing and more practical than it sounds. "If you look at the spelling of my last name, you would see that it would be very difficult for someone to see that and memorize it and then find it on the Internet," says deBerjeois, adding that he decided to look for an unused Internet URL that related to his photography. "Color Bandit" indeed reflects the vibrant hues he captures with…]]> [ Subscribe to the comments on this story ]

Get involved

letters@csindy.com — Thu, 05 Nov 2009 04:00:00 -0700

Silver Key Volunteer Assistance, Care and Share Benefit Reading, "Same Sex Marriage: A Civil Debate" Special delivery Sign up to deliver food boxes and gifts to seniors in time for Thanksgiving (Nov. 13-21, no Sundays) and Christmas (gifts only, Dec. 10-19, no Sundays), both weeks between 9 a.m. and 3 p.m. Silver Key Volunteer Assistance Contact: 884-2300, volunteer@silverkey.org Novel idea Enjoy readings by 10 local poets and fiction writers to raise money for Care and Share Food Bank. The writers, including Beth Groundwater, will offer signed copies of their books in a silent auction as…]]> [ Subscribe to the comments on this story ]

Candid camera

letters@csindy.com — Thu, 05 Nov 2009 04:00:00 -0700

Hudson says that as a Colorado College women's studies major, attending the Rocky Mountain Women's Film Festival pushed her toward a life of making documentaries. Erin Hudson says that as a Colorado College women's studies major, attending the Rocky Mountain Women's Film Festival pushed her toward a life of making documentaries. The 31-year-old remembers sitting through fest films years ago, laughing some, crying some, and coming away "having this sense of, 'Gosh, that is tremendous power, to be able to tell stories about real people and real situations.'" Just five years after her CC graduation, the festival featured two of her films: Long Haul, Hudson's…]]> [ Subscribe to the comments on this story ]

Letters

letters@csindy.com — Thu, 05 Nov 2009 04:00:00 -0700

Budget priorities, City Council, death panels, McInnis misleading and more. Bad first step I just read that when Colorado's leaders first faced budget shortfalls, before they let the first blade of grass go unwatered, or they drained the public pools, they decided to close a nursing unit for the developmentally disabled and cut beds at a facility for the mentally ill. In a sane world where quality of life for everyone is taken into consideration and the lives of those for whom we are rightly held responsible, the ones who…]]> [ Subscribe to the comments on this story ]

Funny on the fly

letters@csindy.com (Kirsten Akens) — Thu, 05 Nov 2009 04:00:00 -0700

"Sometimes we look at each other right before the show, when we're about to walk onstage before a thousand people and all we have is a little piece of paper with a list of games." by Kirsten Akens A game of Mousetrap, Colin Mochrie and Brad Sherwood style, involves 100 live traps fanned out across a stage. And the two improv actors walking across the floor barefoot and blindfolded. "Oh yeah, it's just as stupid as it sounds," Mochrie says over the phone from his home in Toronto. "I'm still nursing an injury. ... Every once in a while, there's a point where Brad throws the mousetraps at me. He got one on my thumb, and it's been…]]> [ Subscribe to the comments on this story ]

Slice of life

letters@csindy.com — Thu, 05 Nov 2009 04:00:00 -0700

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Let's all move forward

letters@csindy.com (Ralph Routon) — Thu, 05 Nov 2009 04:00:00 -0700

Something has gone terribly wrong over the past year. The people's trust in City Council, already eroded, has totally evaporated. Vanished. by Ralph Routon If you came to this space looking for a diatribe, you're in the wrong place. If you came here expecting a message like, "Sell the house, pack up everything and leave town while you can," you'll be disappointed. If you assumed this column would point fingers of blame for what happened in the election, you should look elsewhere. This isn't the place, or the moment, to scold and condemn the voters of Colorado Springs for the numbing messages they just…]]> [ Subscribe to the comments on this story ]

Sound Advice

letters@csindy.com — Thu, 05 Nov 2009 04:00:00 -0700

Alec Ounsworth, Robert Earl Keen, Caroline Herring [image-1] Alec Ounsworth Mo Beauty Anti- Records Buy if you like: Clap Your Hands Say Yeah, Rufus Wainwright Alec Ounsworth slipped into the studio during a brief furlough from his main job fronting Clap Your Hands Say Yeah, and Mo Beauty is the predictably unpredictable result. He and producer Steve Berlin from Los Lobos have taken an inspired excursion to Piety Street in New Orleans to cast their musical net, snaring the very best the Crescent City offers. With Meters…]]> [ Subscribe to the comments on this story ]

Looking into the future

letters@csindy.com (Rich Tosches) — Thu, 05 Nov 2009 04:00:00 -0700

The latest tax proposal defeat was greeted with cheers by the anti-government group People Against Anything You Can Think Of. by Rich Tosches Colorado Springs, Nov. 5, 2046: For the 38th consecutive year, voters in this once-classic Western town — a village that stood for more than a century beneath Pikes Peak before the mountain was sold in 2010 — soundly defeated yet another proposed tax increase this week, telling startled town leaders that they no longer want streetlights. Or streets. As the votes came in, village officials gathered at the town's finest five-star restaurant to begin drafting next year's doomed tax hike…]]> [ Subscribe to the comments on this story ]

i know why the @cagedbird tweets

letters@csindy.com (Bill Forman) — Thu, 05 Nov 2009 04:00:00 -0700

Twitter has been the target of much ridicule, as well as the dismissals and doomsday predictions that typically arise in the aftermath of hype and popularity. But the numbers speak for themselves. by Bill Forman Colorado Springs state senator Dave Schultheis is no longer my friend, and I am no longer his follower. Our Twitter-enabled relationship came to an end in mid-September. As the conservative lawmaker wrote to his followers at the time: "Important! Many libs and progressives attempting 2 Follow conservatives. Scrub your 'followers' I blocked three more today." It's unclear why the legislator (whose chosen twitter name, @Sen_Schultheis, emphasizes his role and responsibilities as an elected official) feels the need to hide his…]]> [ Subscribe to the comments on this story ]

Long story short

letters@csindy.com (Bill Forman) — Thu, 05 Nov 2009 04:00:00 -0700

The need to actually try Twitter before forming strident opinions about it is about as important as the need to actually understand issues before casting a vote. That is to say, not at all. by Bill Forman The need to actually try Twitter before forming strident opinions about it is about as important as the need to actually understand issues before casting a vote. That is to say, not at all. Of course, there's nothing unpatriotic about taking a decade off from voting entirely — as our new City Councilman has so convincingly written on his blog. Perhaps that suggests the degree to which our culture seems more obsessed with Twitter, Facebook and social media than with…]]> [ Subscribe to the comments on this story ]

IQ: Tweet 'n low

letters@csindy.com (Kevin Kehl) — Thu, 05 Nov 2009 04:00:00 -0700

Millions of Twitter users a day attempt to elevate the social-media outlet out of the realm of the trivial, in 140 characters or fewer. by Kevin Kehl One definition of "twitter" is "a short burst of inconsequential information." But millions of Twitter users a day attempt to elevate the social-media outlet out of the realm of the trivial, in 140 characters or fewer. [image-1] Sophie Raab Falcon Nurse's assistant What do you use Twitter for? Mostly following bands and people that I find interesting. I follow Stevie Ryan and the band Nightmare of You and Weird Al Yankovic. How can you see Twitter being used negatively? You're…]]> [ Subscribe to the comments on this story ]

What now?

letters@csindy.com (J. Adrian Stanley) — Thu, 05 Nov 2009 04:00:00 -0700

"The only thing that's left is public safety; everything else has been fairly decimated. I guess Douglas Bruce will get his wish. He wanted to destroy Colorado Springs. I think this is a great step forward." by J. Adrian Stanley 'Oh my God! Oh my God!" City Councilor Jan Martin exclaims. For a brief moment, it feels like the Blue Star's dining room is levitating. The lights are a little brighter. Heads whip around. Two supporters reach down to embrace Martin. It's just after 7 on election night, and a laptop is showing the first results. It looks like Issue 2C is gonna make it. "Oh wait," says a voice cutting through the exuberance. "That's 300." Martin's fingers reach for…]]> [ Subscribe to the comments on this story ]

Stranger than fiction

letters@csindy.com (Roland Sweet) — Thu, 05 Nov 2009 04:00:00 -0700

All the weird news that's fit to print. by Roland Sweet Curses, foiled again A man told police he was eating hot dogs in a park in Worcester, Mass., when another man approached, lifted up his shirt to show what appeared to be a handgun, grabbed one of the hot dogs and began eating it. "In doing so," police Officer Joseph Francese noted in his report, "mustard spilled onto the suspect's shirt." According to the Worcester Telegram & Gazette, police identified Antonio J. Judd, 35, as their suspect after spotting him…]]> [ Subscribe to the comments on this story ]

Off target

letters@csindy.com (Edie Adelstein) — Thu, 05 Nov 2009 04:00:00 -0700

Taking an artist's word in good faith seems to be enough for some players in the arts sector. by Edie Adelstein Maria Lopez's upcoming exhibit at the Sangre de Cristo Arts & Conference Center features colorful, abstract works depicting Christian scenes. But the most eye-catching aspect of the Pueblo artist's self-titled show came within a press release. "Her works," the Sangre wrote of Lopez, "are currently in the art collections of celebrities such as: Barack Obama, Dane Cook, Cheech Marin, George Lopez, Carlos Mencia, Chris Rock, David Letterman, Martha Stewart, Conan O'Brein [sic], Wanda Sykes, Tracy Morgan, John Leguizamo and others."…]]> [ Subscribe to the comments on this story ]

Good USOC news, finally

letters@csindy.com (Ralph Routon) — Thu, 05 Nov 2009 04:00:00 -0700

You'd expect another dose of disappointment in the Olympic Committee's first steps toward finding a new CEO to take charge in 2010. Instead, there's a glimmer of fresh hope. by Ralph Routon Month after month, this turbulent year of 2009 has brought bombardments of bad news for the U.S. Olympic Committee. You want insurrection? That came in March, when the USOC volunteer executive board suddenly and inexplicably ousted CEO Jim Scherr despite his record of success in leading the daily operation. You want controversy? How about that same board installing one of its own members, Stephanie Streeter, as interim CEO, until she ran head-first into vehement opposition from the member sports' national…]]> [ Subscribe to the comments on this story ]

Dues ex machina

letters@csindy.com (Pam Zubeck) — Thu, 05 Nov 2009 04:00:00 -0700

Amid this economic downturn, the chamber has persuaded 69 businesses and agencies to contribute nearly $1 million, beyond regular membership dues, to keep the organization afloat. by Pam Zubeck How do you get blood from a turnip? The Greater Colorado Springs Chamber of Commerce might have a few pointers. Amid this economic downturn, the chamber has persuaded 69 businesses and agencies to contribute nearly $1 million, beyond regular membership dues, to keep the organization afloat. Money from its three-year "public campaign," which began last year, will retire debt and put the business advocacy group on firmer footing. The next three-year campaign, for 2011 to 2013, has already launched. "Those…]]> [ Subscribe to the comments on this story ]

Ain't dainty

letters@csindy.com (Monika Mitchell Randall) — Thu, 05 Nov 2009 04:00:00 -0700

I'd never have dreamed of finding one of the best burgers I've ever had at a tea house. by Monika Mitchell Randall Wisdom Tea House culminates a dream of Tom and Diane Wisdom, who met as University of California, Berkeley undergrads in the late '70s. Initially the couple, who envisioned a gathering space to build and welcome community, thought of a coffee shop. But their preferred Monument location was already overrun with coffee beans. A trip to Las Vegas' World Tea Expo a couple years ago spurred a new vision — one that, in Diane's words, looks nothing like "your grandma's tea…]]> [ Subscribe to the comments on this story ]

The art of Wall Street

letters@csindy.com (Jim Hightower) — Thu, 05 Nov 2009 04:00:00 -0700

Poor Wall Street — several of the biggest banks have discovered that they have a new problem. Believe it or not, their problem is art. by Jim Hightower Poor Wall Street — several of the biggest banks have discovered that they have a new problem. It's not yet another batch of toxic assets or another proposal to rein-in bankster greed. Believe it or not, their problem is art. Yes, Wall Street hucksters are masters of the art of financial deception, but this problem has to do with actual art, including old masters, abstracts, pop art — you name it, banks have it. Lots of it. And they don't…]]> [ Subscribe to the comments on this story ]

Walk on the child's side

letters@csindy.com (Anthony Lane) — Thu, 05 Nov 2009 04:00:00 -0700

The county has received more than 9,200 child abuse and neglect reports through October this year, exceeding Denver County, the next-busiest, by close to 2,000 reports. by Anthony Lane One mom failed a drug test, and seems to be selling her body to raise cash. A dad has developed a habit of trying to climb into bed with his teenage daughters. And a 1-year-old lives with his father in a graffiti-scarred home where utilities have been turned off, leaving toilets clogged and food rotting in the fridge. The toddler also has what appears to be "carpet burn" on his forehead, so that report — like the other two —…]]> [ Subscribe to the comments on this story ]

Side dish

letters@csindy.com — Thu, 05 Nov 2009 04:00:00 -0700

Lanna Thai, Trinity's slow food movement, Violet Beauregarde at the Holiday Chocolate Festival and more. Gumbo to Tom Ka In early October, the Springs' north side welcomed a new restaurant that really should, forgive us, Thai the neighborhood together. Lanna Thai (8810 N. Union Blvd., 282-0474), located in the old Culpepper's Cajun Kitchen, serves "not sweetened, not Americanized" Thai, according to owner Varanya Meyer. Named after Meyer's daughter, Lanna Thai offers traditional dishes like curries (look for a $6.95 curry-of-the-day lunch special) and pad Thai. Dinner prices range from $8 to $15. Focus local Two…]]> [ Subscribe to the comments on this story ]

Advice Goddess

letters@csindy.com (Amy Alkon) — Thu, 05 Nov 2009 04:00:00 -0700

Chances are, she's a 37-year-old woman with a teen-girl orientation toward relationships: "I'm pretty, so guys should like me." by Amy Alkon Sleeping booty My girlfriend snooped through my belongings and e-mail and even searched Web forums for my comments. I feel terribly violated. I'm 29, she's 37, and we've been together for two years. I've never given her any reason to distrust me, but because we've only been having sex once a month as of recently, she assumes I'm cheating. Well, both of my parents died six months ago (both were terminally ill), and I couldn't care less about sex. Before…]]> [ Subscribe to the comments on this story ]

Noted: Weinstein responds to Klingenchmitt

letters@csindy.com — Thu, 05 Nov 2009 04:00:00 -0700

Also: Snyder becomes Manitou mayor, 2010 election shaping up, Women's Community Leadership Initiative seeking locals and more. Weinstein fights death wish Mikey Weinstein is known for fighting the big fight, railing against religious indoctrination at the Air Force Academy and the influence of evangelicals in the military. Now it's more personal, as he pursues a lawsuit against former Navy chaplain Gordon Klingenschmitt and a sponsoring organization for standing behind prayers calling for the deaths of Weinstein and his family. This fight could address whether "imprecatory," or curse, prayers are protected by the First Amendment. "You don't have…]]> [ Subscribe to the comments on this story ]