Boom and bust: The time following this November's election was exhausting, and for once Denver's liberal weekly was no help, choosing to run in the November 11 issue David Holthouse's "Bada Bing, Bada Boom!," a piece full of incredibly tired ideas about women (i.e. there's something fascinating about young women and the monied geriatric, the ideal woman is some sort of animated Barbie doll, and so on).
I would expect better from Westword, and Lolita, of all people, may offer some direction as to how to truly push the envelope: "Yes, this world was just one gag after another, if somebody wrote up her life story nobody would ever believe." It would be refreshing if Westword would at least try.
Shannyn Morse
Denver
Editor's note: Vladimir Nabokov himself couldn't have imagined the discussion of David Holthouse's story now posted on assorted message boards; we'll share some of that conversation in the November 25 issue. And in the meantime, and for the record, not all of the people pictured at the Halloween party were Bada Bing escorts -- some, like Eve, were just helping out at the bar.
Plummer bummer: Regarding Bill Gallo's Jake the Mistake comments in his "At a Loss" column in the November 11 issue, it would be much easier to join Bill's Jake Plummer-bashing bandwagon if he'd state his facts in a less distorted manner. While Bill writes about the Broncos' "mediocre 6-3 record" after the Houston game (only five teams in the 32-team NFL have a better winning percentage than the Broncos), he conveniently leaves out Plummer's performance in the Houston game (his highest QB rating as a Bronco: four TDs, no picks) when spewing out Plummer's stats to compare him unfavorably to other QBs.
Let's see, Bill states that "going into Sunday's comeback game against Houston, Plummer had attempted more passes -- 279 -- than any other quarterback in the NFL." Bill fails to inform us that at that time, Plummer had played one more game than two of the other QBs he mentioned, Daunte Culpepper and Peyton Manning. After November 7, I count eight QBs who are out-attempting Plummer in attempts per game played.
Okay, so I'm not sold yet that Jake can lead us to the promised land of a Lombardi Trophy in Jacksonville in February, but give the guy a break and at least state the stats fairly. Yes, Plummer can throw the bonehead interception more than we appreciate, but the bottom line is, as of last week, he was 15-6 as a Broncos starter -- and that doesn't suck.
Steve Metzger
Westminster
Generation Gap: Regarding Jared Jacang Maher's "A First Fatality," in the November 4 issue:
I'd heard of it, but unfortunately never got the chance to go to Tulagi. It seems tragic that it had to close its doors and be transformed into something that's somehow more pleasing to the new breed of Boulderite. It continually amazes me that the non-student population in Boulder can't seem to grasp that they live in a college town, and what that means.
Thanks for the article, and let's hope the place won't be turned into a sub shop -- but I guess that'd be better than the Gap.
Liz Lorang
Denver
Man with a plan: Thank you, thank you, thank you for Jared Jacang Maher's excellent article on skatepark design, "Skate Nation," in the October 28 issue. Like skateparks designed by non-skaters, few things are worse than skatepark articles written by clueless writers who don't bother to do their homework. Jared Maher clearly has.
The "Skate Nation" he refers to already exists, with countless skaters crisscrossing the Northwest between Newberg, Lincoln City and Aumsville, Oregon; out to Hailey, Idaho; up north to Orcas Island, Washington. The parks bring visitors and money that would otherwise not be seen, and it's all thanks to the brilliant and visionary work of skater-owned firms like Grindline and Dreamland, and the town planners who hire them.
It is an honor to have my home town of Carbondale included on that list. Whatever Jared Maher is making, give that kid a raise!
Tyler Lindsay
Aspen
Cage match: I just read the "review" Jared Jacang Maher wrote of "The Cage," the Broomfield skatepark, and I was disgusted. He failed to mention four major parts of the park. I will admit I have never skateboarded the park myself, as I am just learning how, but I have twenty or so friends who board, bike and/or blade, and they love it there. We're a small city; we don't need a huge skatepark like Denver. I have never seen any of my friends "eat teeth" because of the construction.
Also, he failed to mention that this park's street course is in fine condition. I have bladed in the street course and have never had any problems. Lastly, I know his article may have focused on the construction, but the "regs" (regular riders) and staff there are really friendly. If you have eaten teeth more then once (if at all) at "The Cage," then by all means you can say it's crappy -- but don't say nothing until you've surfed the bowl and eaten teeth.
Chelsea Barrett
Broomfield
The Bright stuff: Thanks for finally giving KTCL a break in Dave Herrera's November 4 Beatdown. I still can't quite decide if they are truly just amazing for turning music control back over to the listeners, or if they're the epitome of evil for making me love something I should hate. But they do put up with me when I tell them that I hate Chevelle.
So thanks for throwing KTCL a bone. They are the station I can rely on for the five o'clock free ride (an hour-long, commercial-free segment) to help make traffic navigation a little bit better. Occasionally, I can even hear them navigating the choppy waters of live radio with the garage sessions. It's always amusing to have bands like Social D show up in the garage, give the DJs a hard time and then rock the doors off.
I also want to thank Herrera for calling on KTCL to push more of the amazing live music going on in Denver right now. I've harassed Rubin about the Hot IQs before. I think Matson Jones deserves air spin, as well as its CD to spread like wildfire. And really, how much farther is the climb from the latest Sum 41 album to the great grrrr-girl rock of Hemi Cuda? You can either climb to a false peak of a fourteener or you can hike on to the stunning vistas at the top. Hemi Cuda is simply a better version of the same rock. Of course, the Hemis are better in so many ways: Their songs are better, their tattoos are better, and nobody rocks guitars and thigh-high boots like the Hemi Cuda ladies. All these bands and so many more on the Denver scene deserve airplay on KTCL.
But Herrera's list of bands also shocked me. After all, Westword was the reason I decided to catch Bright Channel. And it's clear that Bright Channel is exactly what KTCL should be playing -- simply amazing music. And in this murky, post-election day, if KTCL must be Clear, shouldn't it be Bright, as well?
Becca Kreidler
via the Internet
Clear as mud: I want to address directly Carl Nimbus's comments regarding the airplay practices of Clear Channel stations, as reported in Michael Roberts's Message in the November 4 issue, and clear up some common misperceptions, as you may not be aware of the following facts:
Clear Channel Radio stations have steadily increased the number of unique artists and songs played in approximately fifty formats nationwide. Between 1998 and 2002, Clear Channel Radio stations increased the number of unique songs played by 15,315 and the number of unique artists by 3,093. Clear Channel stations in seventy markets devote airtime specifically to showcase new talent, and some stations devote their entire format to local artists. And the Clear Channel New Music Network assists artists in getting exposure to producers, agents and record labels -- currently, more than 20,000 bands are represented, and the network's website (clearchannelnewmusicnetwork.com) streams eight channels of music.
Clear Channel does not issue mandates with regard to individual artists, songs or playlists. Clear Channel Radio stations are managed and programmed locally based on extensive audience research. Radio is a local business and Clear Channel stations are managed and programmed locally based on extensive audience research. It's why we employ 900 local program directors.
Lisa Dollinger
Senior VP of Corporate Communications for Clear Channel Communications
New York, New York
Taken for a ride: Great job on the FasTracks pros and cons in the October 21 "Alternative Voter's Guide." The election outcome, however, has left me with several burning questions that might be addressed through Westword.
Will Governor Owens's appalling inability to bend Colorado voters to his will on congressional and state legislature seats, as well as referendum questions, have any effect on a possible nod from the White House for a cabinet seat in the second Bush term? If so, will he be as invisible as Gale Norton?
Will Jon Caldara finally be forced to come into the 21st century, after voters demonstrated their real desire for a much-needed, future mass-transit plan for the Front Range? Caldara, president of the Independence Institute (an ersatz think tank), fought the FasTracks ballot question tooth and nail. Is the prevailing thought in the tank that Coloradans will be best served by a system of multiple-lane mega-highways crisscrossing the state, causing a future ecological disaster? Not incidentally, the Institute has a number of Republican state legislators as "fellows" and members. The list includes Senator John Andrews, who founded the organization and has served as a president of the Colorado Senate. Could enthusiasm to scuttle mass-transit planning have been a factor in the new Democratic control of the state legislature?
Should Colorado really place much credibility on complex transit issues in a man like Caldara, who could possibly start his transportation each day by saying "Giddy-up?"
Dave Scott
Denver
Trolley folly: As a former historian at the old Forney Museum (originally built as the Denver Tramway powerhouse), I spent several years educating people about Denver's streetcars. Streetcar service started using horse-drawn cars in 1871 and continued using cable and finally trolley cars until June 3, 1950 -- not from 1940 until 1955, as stated in your "Alternative Voter's Guide." Denver was one of the first cities to experiment with electric streetcars in 1886, and the entire system was electrified by 1900. The trolleys were replaced by electrified trolley buses before the switch to self-contained buses.
Fun facts are more fun if they're really facts.
Russ Rigtrup
via the Internet
It's not easy being green: I am writing in response to Patricia Calhoun's October 14 "Chile Today" column, concerning green chile. I was born and raised in Denver; however, I currently reside in Minnesota, land of the blandest food you can imagine. (They have three spices here that they cook with: salt, pepper and ketchup. I'm not kidding.) After growing up with the Mexican food in Denver, you cannot imagine how much I miss it. Over the last few years, I have continued to work on the art of cooking green chile, but I just can't quite get it the same as my favorite restaurants (it gets closer with each attempt, though). I make the trip back to Denver at least once every six months, often bringing back a gallon or two of my favorite chile.
Mexican food in Minnesota leaves a little to be desired; honestly, if I am hungry for Mexican (and do not feel like cooking), I go to Taco Bell. Pretty bad, huh? Very few people here have ever heard of green chile.
In my travels through the United States, I always seek out Mexican food, and I can never find green chile on the menu. I honestly did not know that this was something considered a Denver-only cuisine until reading Calhoun's article. Now it all makes sense.
Michael Roth
via the Internet
Bar none: Toby Keith sang the song "I Love This Bar." The Bamboo Hut has evolved the greatest cooks in the heart of Denver. I believe in redemption! Many of the faithful ones have either moved on to greener pastures or died. J.R. is a man who fulfilled his dream 25 years ago by his hard work and devotion. He did the impossible, and that's put his money where his mouth is. You tasted it! He is a legacy, a veteran who served his country in Vietnam, a husband, a survivor, a grandpa...and a loving uncle. Yes, times change and so does food. I can only say, thank God for Grandma Perez's chile.
One more thing, Pat Calhoun: I only read Westword when I want to sit on my throne, but after stumbling on your "Chile Today" article, I'll bring it into my office. Way to go. One more for the 'word.
Angelo Anthony Perez
Denver
Making book: Christopher Benson's "Read On," in the November 4 issue, was a great article! Very insightful and fun to read, which complements the topic. I would definitely like to read more from him.
Amy Harrison
Littleton
Positive energy: After reading Michael Roberts's November 4 Locals Only review of The Skinny, I just wanted to say a few things about Yo, Flaco! These guys are, to say the least, sick as hell, and every time I see them, it makes me wonder why the hell they're not super-famous. They have dope beats and phat lyrics and are all well-grounded! I know they try to keep their music positive, not just for their fans, but also for their own mental health. Unlike many others, they don't do it because they want to be known as "clean-cut"; they do it because they know positivity breeds positivity. My husband and I have seen them in clubs from Denver to California, and it's always a sick-ass show.
Oh, yeah, and if you're single, there are always hotties there -- guys and girls!
Teena Schenck
via the Internet
