OK, it's really just a bad pothole, but it's also not just one. In the next few seconds, we unavoidably go through them, jolting and jarring the car, our bodies and even our teeth with a force that feels more like one of those quick little California earthquakes (I know that feeling from personal experience). I'm seriously worried about the status of my car's shock absorbers.

Ironically, at that exact time, I was hearing national news on the car radio, making fun of Colorado Springs for "not even being able to pick up trash in city parks," then dealing with PETA's idea of putting cans in local parks (surely you heard that story, so I won't repeat it here, other than including a photo of one of PETA's lettuce-adorned models).

Later, around the various lights where Fillmore crosses over Interstate 25, we encounter more of the potholes. And they're bad. I remember that the city was making a big deal a week or so ago about reporting any bad potholes so city crews (yes, they still have a few employees) can try to fix them. OK, but come on. Many thousands of cars pass through those areas every day. Surely somebody has reported those problems, right?

No way to know, just that those dangerous conditions are still there. When we returned later Friday night, I was very careful getting off I-25 at Fillmore. But even on the westbound lanes of Fillmore, there were additional potholes around Coronado.

Then I remembered encountering more rugged spots downtown, especially on Colorado Avenue in the vicinity of Tejon Street ... within sight of the City Administration Building. But those aren't being fixed.

Anyway, I figure thousands of others have the same frustrations and experiences, so I've gone to the city's Web site and retrieved the reporting information, straight from springsgov.com. But to save you the trouble, here's the important stuff:

Citizens may report potholes the following ways:

· Pothole Hotline (leave a message): 385-6808

· E-mail: streetdivision@springsgov.com

When reporting a pothole, callers should provide detailed information such as street name, direction of traffic flow (north bound, south bound, etc.), nearby cross streets, landmarks such as nearby buildings, side of the street, location in the street and distance from the curb. Due to the huge influx of calls expected, citizens should not expect a personal reply to their request.

We definitely don't care about the return call. No personalized customer service needed. Just some fresh asphalt in the right places, please.

• Expelliarmus!

Enter the Quiz-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named happening at 2 p.m., Saturday, April 17 at McCabe's Tavern.

Presented by Geeks Who Drink, the quiz has a $5 buy-in per person (maximum teams of six people) with a potential to win:

We'll reward your knowledge of J.K Rowling's world with a $300 cash prize for first place, Internet Glory and, best of all, the knowledge of an O.W.L exam well done. Accio awesome!

Visit the site for all the details or call 633-3300.

• Hmm ... Bennet faces a close race.

For Andrew Romanoff, the former state House speaker, the latest in a series of fluctuating polls (this one from Public Policy Polling) shows him doing best against Republican frontrunner Jane Norton, beating her 43-39.

Sen. Michael Bennet was even with Norton in the poll, but he got some happy news in the form of an endorsement from U.S. Rep. Ed Perlmutter.

You can read Perlmutter's endorsement and details of the poll below the fold.

Now, we’re reasonably sure the people who sent us a press release for their “Sleep Is a Weapon” presentation did not mean for the dog in the accompanying image to look like it’s in the early stages of rigor mortis. But that’s what came to a number of Indy staffers’ minds upon seeing it. It makes you wonder why they didn’t just draw a couple of X’s (the universal cartoon symbol for death) over the little guy’s eyes while they were at it.

The press release turned out to be a pitch for a local chiropractor, who’s offering “a short experience on the Human Body and Sleep” later this month.

In a moment of near-kindness, we’ve decided to withhold the name of said chiropractor, even though it’s been a full month since we last made fun of one. (See “New hope for Sid Suicide.”)

We will, however, reveal that the source of the pitch was local publicist, Seiko Tran, whose press releases regularly run as bylined editorial copy in the Gazette's sister publication, Fresh Ink.

And now for something not completely different:

• THE MODBO

It's Friday, and we know you know what that means: it's time to culture-up and get yo-self some art! Tonight brings two openings from our favorite (and, you know, only) members of the Arts Alley District: the 5:30 premier of The Modbo Collective at The Modbo and Budget Cuts featuring The Lost City at Rubbish Gallery.

First, the Collective is a group of artists who, according to a release, aim "to produce a body of work that continuously challenges and raises the standard for art in our community." This here group of standard raisers consists of Phil Lear, Lindsay Hand, (Modbo co-owner) Brett Andrus, Douglas Rouse, Lorenzo White, Chris Weed, Troy Derose, and Shannon Dunn.

The release goes on to say that tonight's display will be "a show consisting of narrative figurative paintings with an emphasis on emotion and the ability to create a connection between the pieces and the everyday viewer." I'd tell you what the hell that means if I had any idea.

Tonight's show will also feature music by Sarah Musick — hehe —, comestibles from McCabe's Tavern — who will bring its lamb stew if there's a God — and brewage from Bristol Brewing Co.

Next on the docket, next door ... next door on the docket ... ? Anyway, happening simultaneously at a closely-related location is Rubbish's Budget Cuts. Click here for more on that.

• Here's an example of accessible equipment.

Being "unique" may be cool when you're a teenager, but it can be tough when you're a child.

Kids have a tendency to pick on those with obvious differences, as most of us had the displeasure of finding out some time during grade school. So, it's easy to see what a social struggle it would be to be a child with special needs — especially if your differences prevented you from doing the stuff other kids do, like playing on the jungle gym.

That's what makes the new playground being built at Memorial Park so cool. The "universally accessible" spot will give a lot of our kids a pleasure they've never experienced — the ability to have fun at the playground alongside their peers.

Here's all the information from the city:

SPRING COMES EARLY TO MEMORIAL PARK
Construction underway on playground designed for children with disabilities

Amidst bare earth and construction debris, a giant, colorful daisy signals progress on the City’s first universally accessible playground. Located in an existing city park, Memorial Park, the new playground will offer children of all abilities the opportunity to play side-by-side, barrier-free. Completion is tentatively scheduled for May. The playground is the outcome of a partnership between the City Parks, Recreation and Cultural Services Department's TOPS Program and local nonprofit, The Swing High Project, headed by Olympic medal-winning gymnast Michelle Dusserre-Farrell, who has a ten-year-old daughter with spina bifida.

Universally accessible playgrounds are typically more expensive than traditional playground equipment because of the need for extensive ramping systems and rubber play surfacing. The City and Swing High Project spent two years raising funds for the $937,000 Memorial Park playground. Funding partners include the voter-approved TOPS Program ($400,000); Great Outdoors Colorado ($200,000); developer parkland dedication fees ($150,000); Phil Long Community Fund ($110,000); Gates Family Foundation ($25,000); El Pomar Foundation ($10,000); King Soopers ($10,000); Aerials Gymnastics ($10,000); and Swing High Project donors ($22,000). No general city tax funds were used to construct the playground.

Memorial Park is currently maintained with general city tax funds and is one of thirteen parks scheduled to receive full maintenance and irrigation in 2010. Given the City’s uncertain budget outlook, this will be the last developed park project constructed by the City of Colorado Springs Parks Department until additional revenues can be secured for park maintenance.

Design assistance was provided by Shane’s Inspiration, a nonprofit organization based in Los Angeles, CA that specializes in universally accessible playground design. Features include ramped play structures; accessible pathways and rubber surfacing; cozy spots where children can gather; harnessed swings with back support; and elevated sand tables and activity panels. Equipment incorporated into the playground was requested at a public design workshop hosted in spring 2007. The play area also includes accessible picnic areas and family-style restrooms.

Colorado Springs has many playgrounds that meet or exceed ADA requirements, but the Memorial Park structure will be the first universally accessible playground designed specifically to meet the needs of children with disabilities. “Traditional playgrounds, while ADA compliant, are not always readily accessible to persons with disabilities,” said Michelle Dusserre-Farrell, Swing High Project Executive Director. “Accessible pathways often lead to play structures surrounded by moats of sand and mulch that can be impossible to cross. Once a child with an ambulatory device reaches the equipment, she has to remove her support apparatus in order to play on the structure. This is humiliating, dangerous, and impossible for most children with physical disabilities.”

Play is especially important to children with special needs who, on a daily basis, face physical discomfort, frustration due to limited physical or cognitive development, and social isolation from being separated at school and in the community. “This playground will give children with disabilities a chance for independent and spontaneous play, often for the first time in their lives, and a chance to play side-by-side with their able-bodied peers building confidence, teaching compassion and creating positive perspectives of disability,” Dusserre-Farrell said.

According to 2000 U.S. Census statistics, there are 8,400 residents in El Paso County between the ages of five and twenty who have some degree of non-institutionalized disability. The closest public access universally accessible playground to Colorado Springs is in the Denver Metro area.

About The Swing High Project:
The Swing High Project was established in 2006 to build a universally accessible playground in the Pikes Peak Region where children play and differences disappear. The Director of the Swing High Project, Michelle Dusserre-Farrell, is a former Olympic medal-winning gymnast and has a ten-year-old daughter with spina bifida. Dusserre-Farrell was instrumental in working with City leaders to make a universally accessible playground a priority, establishing a non-profit organization to raise funds for the project, and connecting the City with technical expertise for the playground design. The Swing High Project is a component fund of the Pikes Peak Community Foundation, a 501(c)(3) organization. More information can be found at www.swinghigh.org.

About TOPS
TOPS is a .1% sales and use tax for trails, open space, and parks. The TOPS Program was originally approved by the voters in 1997. In 2003, the TOPS sales tax was extended through 2025. Voters reaffirmed their desire to use TOPS funds for capital projects by rejecting a proposal to increase the amount of TOPS funds for park maintenance in April of 2009.

The meeting will be held at Pikes Peak Regional Development Center, 2880 International Circle, second floor. Parking is free.

The commission is looking at how Memorial can best serve the community, including through a sale, a partial sale, a change in how the hospital is governed or a shift to independent, nonprofit status.

Memorial communications official Brian Newsome will be live-blogging the meeting here.

• Shop on, fellow Coloradans.

Ladies, here's your chance to burn that hard-earned cash right after you've made it. Starting March 25 and happening on the last Thursday of every month to follow, Barracuda Bazaar, Elly Blue, Envi, Out of the Box and Domino will host Afterglow After Hours, extended evening shopping hours (running from 6 to 8) as well as "super special VIP deals" and snacks.

All these stores are located in Old Colorado City between 24th and 27th streets. For more info, contact Barracuda Bazaar at 442-2202.

Four TV stations have expressed interest but will be asked to pay the same amount the Independent paid for the sheriff's attorney Charles Greenlee to review and redact portions of the documents deemed protected by state open-records laws. That came to $130.60. If the TV stations want copies, they'll be charged the same rate the Independent paid, 25 cents per page, Greenlee tells us.

Meantime, yesterday Maketa held court at his office for the TV stations to take shots at the Independent's reporting on the apparent favoritism of his department to three employees — a detective who faces felony charges in a neighboring county for a weapons-related incident but now is working in the jail, the comptroller who received an 85 percent raise in her first three years on the job and a dispatcher who was allowed to pose nude and was promoted despite three internal affairs investigations, one of which resulted in a letter of reprimand.

The Independent wasn't invited to that session, by the way. Nor did any of the media members in attendance contact us for a response to Maketa's allegations that the report is somehow unreliable.

We stand by the story, in case anyone has a doubt.

Maketa apparently now claims there's some sort of "history" with the Independent reporting incorrect information about his department. That's hogwash, of course, and possibly is based on Maketa's contention that we intentionally misled the public by reporting he filed for office on Feb. 2, not on Feb. 11 as he claims. We have a copy of the Feb. 2 document that's clearly stamped as received on that date. This affidavit states that Maketa is a candidate for El Paso County sheriff in the 2010 cycle. His signature is dated 2-1-10, and the document is notarized by his employee, Jacqueline Doughty.

• The affidavit, clearly stamped as having been received Feb. 2.

The Independent double-checked this week, just to be sure, e-mailing Richard Coolidge with the Secretary of State's Office. Here's his response: "We received it from the county when he filed with the El Paso County Clerk's office when the [sic] faxed to us on Feb. 1, 2010. We received the hard copy the next day, Feb. 2, 2010."

Stay tuned as this story unfolds further.

See related story in this week's paper: Star Treatment

This is from the progressive blog Talking Points Memo:

Appearing at a Tea Party-hosted Republican candidate forum on Tuesday, Norton was asked to name federal programs that she thought were unconstitutional, under the scope of the federal government's enumerated powers, and also whether it was constitutionally permissible for the government to run the Social Security program as it exists now, with the government controlling the money.

"The federal government is fundamentally out of control," Norton answered. "They are seizing control of things like car companies, banks, insurance companies. They're encroaching in areas of education, of the EPA and its endangerment finding, circumventing the rule of law, circumventing legislative processes. They are absolutely out of control. With regard to Social Security, it has turned into a Ponzi scheme. The money that people pay into it should be there for when they are ready to retire."

MSNBC's Ed Schultz features Norton on "Psycho talk," remarking:

SCHULTZ: She thinks Social Security is a ponzi scheme. Notice how that came kind of at the end of her big statement about how liberals are taking over America and we can't turn this thing around. She just got on a roll and really got after Social Security. which has been the most successful and reliable government program for more than 70 years. period. now, watch out Colorado. The woman who wants to be your next senator sounds like she's reading right out of the Michele Bachmann playbook. Norton is courting the crazy book and so far it's working. She is leading the Michael Bennet in a hypothetical matchup. We're going to keep an eye on this one in Colorado because anyone who calls Social Security a ponzi scheme belongs in psycho talk.

You can see full the full video on the Ed Schultz show, or an abbreviated version below:

Drop by for anniversary specials like $2 mochas, $1 lattes and $2 cinnamon rolls and call 494-8300 for more on contests, music and other offerings during the celebration.

Also — a heads up on the next couple beer releases at Trinity Brewing Company: Tomorrow will see the unveiling of the Farmhouse: Beach House. In Trinity's words:

A Saison inspired by spring break and all its liberty. Brewed with ripe bananas and cocoa nibbs, this malt driven dry and toasty Belgian Ale is reminiscent of a Dunkel Weiss, but our crazy brewers made it blond!

Then, at a St. Patrick's Day party on next Wednesday, March 17, look for the unveiling of the Wee Banshee Irish Heather Ale. Here's the data on it from the guys:

Using ingredients directly from the isle we brewed up a historically authentic ancient beer.

It's toasty from the addition of both Victory and Vienna malts, with a lightly sweet caramel note. European noble hops add a dryness and drinkability to the ale while balancing and supporting the complex malt undertones. Separating this ale from all Irish reds, Heather Tips bring us back to ancient and medieval brewing times, adding a very pleasant and soft floral echo. Bringing a little bit more of the isle to this ale we add a very small amount of sea salt t0 the boil. 7.0% ABV.

• Work is already underway.

From the listings desk: Starting Saturday, the Manitou Springs Public Library (701 Manitou Ave.) will begin its outdoor restoration project that includes repairing the roof, gutters and brick walls. During the four-month work block, the library will remain open.

But you can send the library off for its face lift with refreshments (cake and "Manitou lemonade") and some words at the Groundbreaking Ceremony & Hard Hat Party this Saturday from 1 to 3 p.m. While worth significant pomp on its own, this event is also one celebration in a series to commemorate the library's 100th anniversary this year.

While the library received this grant from the Colorado State Historic Fund to preserve the building, says director Margaret Morris, it's still waiting on more funding for its expansion in which it hopes to add 10,000 square feet. (For more on the library's fundraising ventures, read here).

For more on the library itself and ways to contribute, visit manitousprings.colibraries.org and manitousprings.colibraries.org/news-events/restoration-project-2010.

(Which is more than anyone can say for Wal-Mart. The behemoth that just got caught selling black dolls at half the price of white dolls).

Anyway, parent companies Mattel and Lionsgate unveiled yesterday Mad Men Barbie dolls.

Designed by Barbie designer Robert Best, the "Mad Men" Barbie doll line features key players from the Sterling Cooper Advertising Agency: creative director and leading man Don Draper; his wife Betty Draper; Sterling Cooper partner Roger Sterling; and bombshell office manager Joan Holloway.

• Mattel, Inc., Lionsgate®
• All-American commerce: yours for just $74.95

For those in the know, here are the details on what the dolls are wearing:

Don Draper wears his classic, polished red-lined suit and comes accessorized with a hat, overcoat and brief case; Betty Draper's classic look is captured with unparalleled detail, from her faux pearl necklace to her pumps; Joan Holloway looks chic in a purple skirt suit and perfectly styled coif with her staple accessory - a pen necklace; and Roger Sterling is looking dapper in his monogrammed shirt.

Some things are just meant to be together.

• Girls will not be going wild at Syn for a while.

Um, in case you haven't heard, the Syn nightclub — known for incidents involving violence and bare breasts — won't be serving alcohol for the next 15 days.

This from the city:

Liquor Board suspends 13 Pure/Syn Night Club's Liquor License

The Colorado Springs Liquor and Beer Licensing Board summarily approved the request to suspend 13 Pure/Syn Night Club's liquor license at today's special called meeting following an incidence of violence this past weekend that involved 22 police cars. The suspension will be in effect for the next 15 days. An additional Show/Cause notice was issued to 13 Pure/Syn Night Club yesterday and is scheduled to be heard at the Board's March 19th meeting. On this date will also be the continuance of the previous violations of service to minors.

Okay, it’s not really a surprise if you’ve already read our Mr. Lif interview here. But if you haven’t yet, you should know that Akrobatik, who was Lif’s former cohort in the Perceptionists, has come onboard for the tour. It’ll actually be a de facto reunion gig, since the duo will be performing a number of their classic tracks.

The show starts at 8, and you’ll want to be on time for once, as the Springs’ own ReMINDers are opening and Lyrics Born is closing.

Yes, it's still just March, but this is likely to be one of the year’s best shows. See you there.

Bruce adds that his latest lawsuit isn't about how much money the city spends hiring outside legal counsel — though he finds the millions spent annually to be exorbitant. Rather, it was spurred by the city attorney's unilateral hiring of outside counsel, which he says violates the charter.

——-

• Bruce: Making Photoshop fun.

Anti-taxer Douglas Bruce has sued the city once again.

Snore.

But wait! There's some humor to be found in this.

See, Bruce did not sue the city for implementing an ordinance to enforce his voter-approved Issue 300, as most everyone expected he would. (Bruce claims the city is trampling his language and intent.)

Bruce is suing the city because he claims — among other things — that the city attorney and city enterprises have hired expensive outside legal counsel without the proper approval of City Council.

Huh.

Well, anyway, getting the the funny part, Mayor Lionel Rivera of course says the lawsuit is nonsense and that Council and staff adhered to the city charter at all times, blah, blah, blah. Then he says .... guess what? Bruce is suing the City Attorney and the City Council, which means the city will be forced to hire outside legal counsel, thus incurring more of the bills that Bruce is suing the city for incurring.

"The one thing he says he's complaining about," Rivera says, "his very action causes us to spend more money on."

So has Bruce just gone off the deep end? Not in Rivera's opinion. The mayor says he believes Bruce wanted to sue over the new Issue 300 ordinance, but didn't think he could win, so instead Bruce came after the city for something "frivolous."

"It's his way of getting even," Rivera says.

McClellan said in the article that the Obama administration opposes smoking marijuana for its medicinal benefit, but that more research is needed to deliver the medically useful ingredients in a non-smoked form, the Web site says.

"With an open invitation like this from the Obama Administration, we at Cannabis Science feel more confident than ever that our efforts to provide our 'wounded warriors' with an alternative to treatments that are not working will be fairly examined, when we submit our non-smoked cannabis pharmaceutical products to the FDA for clinical trials," Melamede said in a statement. "We are doing precisely the sort of scientific research that Deputy Director McClellan is calling for."

Richard Cowan, Cannabis Science CFO and a former CEO of the National Organization for the Reform of Marijuana Laws (NORML), noted, "It is important that the Obama Administration is making such an open call that they want more FDA clinical trial research on the same types of drugs we are creating. Consequently, we will rapidly proceed with our development of a cannabis-based medicine for PTSD for FDA clinical trials. We hope they will share our sense of urgency, because PTSD is killing not only our veterans, but also our active duty troops. In January alone, more of our active US military troops died of suicide than were killed in Iraq and Afghanistan wars combined."

Both Dr. Melamede and Cowan are long-term advocates of the full legalization of marijuana, and support the rights of patients to use the plant to medicate, including smoking. The article reported that support for full legalization is growing rapidly (now up to 44% nationally and a majority in some states).

Cannabis Science says it works with world authorities on phytocannabinoid science targeting critical illnesses, and adheres to scientific methodologies to develop, produce, and commercialize phytocannabinoid-based pharmaceutical products.

• Staying out of it.

It's long been assumed that Mayor Lionel Rivera would run for El Paso County Commissioner this year.

You know what they say about assumptions.

"I called the El Paso County chair [of the Republican party]," he says, "and I [also] told the vice chair I'm not running."

Asked why not, he mentions the current challenges of his mayoral duties (budgets, medical marijuana, etc.), the pressures from his job, and a need to spend more time at home.

"I do have a wife that I'd like to spend more time with," he says.

Rivera says he won't rule out a future run, but says right now, "it just doesn't work for my schedule."

"Once you've been in politics, you never say [never]," he says, "because you never know what will come up."

• Maybe, just maybe, there will be more tears where these came from.

Naleski says the reading and math programs for students entering grades K through 8 will not be offered at the district level. However, she notes that individual schools are reviewing their budgets right now, and may decide to offer programming on their own. Best idea is to check in with your kid's school later this spring, to see what, if anything, is in the works.

Credit-recovery courses for high-school students will still be offered.

We're talking about the state high school basketball tournaments. Class 5A and 4A teams converge on Denver, which makes sense because it's just a short drive for so many teams and their followers.

For the lower classifications, though, it's a much-anticipated ROAD TRIP, one of the highlights of the school year for those lucky (or good enough) to qualify.

Class 3A's top 16 teams, eight girls and eight boys, are in Fort Collins, with some having arrived Wednesday night. All of those teams are guaranteed at least two games, so they're staying as long as possible.

Meanwhile, the 2A and 1A boys and girls, totaling 32 teams, have converged on Pueblo for their tournaments. They're filling the motels, restaurants and even the retail stores.

If something sounds familiar about those tournaments, it should. For years, Colorado Springs hosted either or both of those groups, utilizing facilities from the Colorado Springs World Arena and Air Force Academy to the Olympic Training Center.

The nice thing about those tournaments is that they don't depend on local spectators to make it or not. The teams bring their fans, more and more from schools and small towns that last into the semifinals and finals on the weekend.

I've heard many anecdotes in past years of buses and/or convoys of kids and their families going to the local malls between games and buying all kinds of clothes, because it's their best chance to go shopping in a big city. And of course, it goes without saying how much the players and fans feel inspired by the Air Force Academy and the OTC.

A story in today's Pueblo Chieftain pegs the economic impact there at $3 million to $3.5 million, which you can read here. Meanwhile, Fort Collins officials are estimating the 3A events will produce about $1 million in economic benefit.

During a slow time for tourism and before the spring-break time arrives, Colorado Springs would be smart to revisit hosting some of those tournaments.