Most Popular
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A Cold Case Frozen in Time
Until this cold case heats up, Sharon Skiba is lost in limbo.
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CU Hires Three Pulitzer Winners
Some of newspapering's best and brightest are trading journalism for academia — including three Pulitzer winners hired at CU.
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Sazza
If you must go for gourmet pizza, go to Sazza.
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Arapahoe County DA Charges Death-Penalty Fees to the State
How does DA Carol Chambers beat the high cost of a death-penalty prosecution? By billing the prison system.
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Crepes ’n Crepes
French food is no flash in the pan.
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A Cold Case Frozen in Time (10)
Until this cold case heats up, Sharon Skiba is lost in limbo.
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Con Artist Gives Funny Cause for Pregnant Pause (7)
Would you pay $20 to get a scam artist off your front porch?
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Big Trouble (8)
Gary Haney was living the high life until meth took him down.
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To the Max (5)
A publicity-hungry student shows how easy it is to become a media darling -- with a little help from CU.
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The Magnet Mafia Sticks to Street Art (5)
Matt Feeney and Harrison Nealey have a new way for artists to stick it to the city.
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A Cold Case Frozen in Time
Until this cold case heats up, Sharon Skiba is lost in limbo.
-
CU Hires Three Pulitzer Winners
Some of newspapering's best and brightest are trading journalism for academia — including three Pulitzer winners hired at CU.
-
Arapahoe County DA Charges Death-Penalty Fees to the State
How does DA Carol Chambers beat the high cost of a death-penalty prosecution? By billing the prison system.
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Shakeup in Denver Radio
Denver radio's getting a shakeup, with more alterations on the horizon. But do any of the switches qualify as improvements?
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The Magnet Mafia Sticks to Street Art
Matt Feeney and Harrison Nealey have a new way for artists to stick it to the city.
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Barfly Taxonomy: The Red-Cheeked False Bukowski
12:28PM 03/10/08 -
Westword Now Exhibit A in Death Penalty Tussle
11:21AM 03/10/08 -
Alan Parsons as Living History and Other Assorted Goodies
11:36AM 03/10/08 -
Friday Rap-Up: Basementalism, Hip-Hop 4 Obama, 50 Cent, Fat Joe, Juvenile
02:35PM 03/07/08 -
Look of the Day -- The Unfortunate Side Effects of Daylight Savings Time
02:10PM 03/10/08 -
Look of the Day - Irish Gangster
11:41AM 03/07/08 -
Delegating Denver #34 of 56: New Jersey
12:03PM 03/10/08 -
Pundit Watch: Paul Begala
04:45PM 03/07/08
What we are writing about
- affordable housing
- Amy Ryan
- Colorado Rockies
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- Corridor 44
- David McSwane
- Democratic National...
- Denver Post
- Dinger
- Gates Rubber Company
- Glenn Morris
- Guitar Hero
- Hillary Clinton
- Ian Kleinman
- John Hickenlooper
- Justin Jahn
- Knocked Up
- Mezcal
- molecular gastronomy
- No Country for Old Men
- Philip Seymour Hoffman
- Rocky Mountain News
- Samantha Morton
- Sea Wolf
- Stapleton
- Steve Horner
- There Will Be Blood
- Tom Waits
- Vinyl
- Wii
National Features
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Houston Press
"It Was Like an Armageddon Movie"
For days after Hurricane Rita, a Texas prison was hell on earth.
By Chris Vogel -
SF Weekly
The Candidate
Our columnist knows Ralph Nader's running mate all too well.
By Matt Smith -
The Pitch
How Not To Be a Rap Star
First of all, lay off the Ecstasy.
By Nadia Pflaum -
Village Voice
Project Runaway
What becomes a gossip columnist most?
By Michael Musto
Letters to the Editor
From the week of January 31
Published: January 31, 2008
"Fat Chance," Michael Roberts, January 24
How much did Michael Karolchyk pay you for your cover photo?
Your story on his Anti-Gym brings to mind two old chestnuts: "I don't care what they say, as long as they spell my name right," and "No one ever went broke underestimating the intelligence of the American people."
Yet hidden behind this huckster's hateful marketing gimmicks are some basic truths. We Americans are becoming fatter and fatter as we succumb to super-sized menus, processed foods and sedentary lifestyles. We can profoundly improve our health and happiness by two simple steps: eating better and exercising more.
In contrast to Karolchyk's crass approach, Oprah Winfrey and People magazine run inspiring stories on morbidly obese people who, through sheer willpower, reduce their food intake and increase their activity, losing hundreds of pounds. We should all follow their heroic examples.
Don't be suckered by hype, whether it's to eat junk or to join a ridiculous gym. We can instead drastically improve our health by simple, low-cost, gradual steps: Eat more fruit and vegetables. Walk more. Buy some cheap dumbbells and learn a few strength-training routines. All the support we need is online and in our communities — for free.
Rolf Asphaug
Centennial
Worst-Case Scenario, Kenny Be, January 24
I have read a lot of letters about Representative Douglas Bruce, and now Kenny Be gets into the act, and I am infuriated! Not at Bruce, but at the jerks who are attacking him. I have grown so sick and tired of the protocol, the decorum, the syrupy niceness that goes on under the Capitol dome while supposedly doing the people's business that I welcome the brutally frank "kick in the door" (or the photographer) attitude that Bruce brings to the legislature. That cameraman was told by Bruce not to do something, he did it anyway, and he got a little pop for it. Was he injured for life? No, so get over it, Colorado!
Years ago, Doug Bruce told the state not to spend all our money. We agreed, and passed TABOR. Since then, an assortment of governments decided to do what they pleased with our money, and found ways to circumvent TABOR. I think they could use a little kick in the knee, too, with a stern warning to not do it again. You don't like Doug Bruce in the House? Fine — I think he'd be better in the governor's office!
Jim Kiel
Aurora
"Donkey Business," Michael Roberts, January 24
Our mascot is a donkey or burro, not a mule, which is half horse! I know, because I wrote the resolution that Coloradans voted on to make the state mascot a donkey or burro, like those used in the mines to help extract gold and silver, like the one the Virgin Mary rode to the stable to give birth to the baby Jesus. They most likely came to America from Mexico. The animal you have shown with the article about the Democratic mascot is a mule, not a donkey or burro. You should get it right!
Richard A. Payne
LaPorte
"The Main Chance," Jason Sheehan, January 17
I'm one of those people who endorse Ali Baba Grill at every opportunity. Actually, I only tell good people about the place. For the masses, I prefer to keep this pearl a secret.
How many days have I come back from the hills to an amazing meal at Ali Baba? Countless. Here's my two cents on what to order: the king combo and any of the fruit milks, especially banana. The king combo gives you a little of everything — no, a lot of everything. And it's delicious. Honestly, I think it's the best restaurant in Golden.
Jan Nerone
Denver
This food critic may think he knows about food, but his review of Ali Baba Grill showed how little Jason Sheehan knows about how to write properly. One paragraph was one run-on sentence with 169 words; I don't think that would get a good grade in any English class. Second, obviously the foods offered at this restaurant are loved by very many people who are more than willing to travel far to get there — even with gas prices as they are. And third, maybe that coffee urn came from Cost Plus, but the exquisite decor (that I know was imported special) in the upper room makes most of us diners feel like we have traveled out of the country for a relaxing mini-vacation.
I have a suggestion for the reviewer. He needs to go back to college and take some writing classes. To me, a writer who writes a sentence of 169 words invalidates his review and shows that he is not a professional.
Marian Gurnee
Aurora
The Beatdown, Dave Herrera, January 17
MEDIA ADVISORY
Date: February 4, 2008
Contacts: Diana Lopez: 303-238-8767. 303-901-0099
Tomas Romero: 720-351-0814
SENTENCING SET FOR 2007 VAIL CAR CRASH DEATH
On February 22, 2007, Matthew Lopez, a popular Auraria Community College honor student and Wheat Ridge resident, was killed in a one-car crash in Eagle County, Colorado. Lopez, age 23, was a passenger in a car driven by Vail resident Candice Calvin, age 22. Lopez, the only son of retired Denver Public Schools educators Diana and Martin Lopez, was on an academic break and working in Vail for the ski season.
Calvin was attempting to elude a Colorado State Highway Patrol officer who was trying to cite her for driving erratically.
After a short chase, Calvin lost control of her vehicle at the Avon roundabout near Interstate 70 and the Colorado Highway 6 exit. Matthew Lopez, wearing a seat belt, died at the scene of severe head injuries. Calvin, not wearing a seat belt, survived the crash. Calvin later was arrested and charged with vehicular homicide with a DUI level of more than twice the legal limit of .08 and various other charges.
After nearly a year, Calvin reached a guilty plea agreement for a Class III felony and will be sentenced by Eagle County Judge Frederick Gannett on February 11, 2008.
“Matt was an incredible young man with a bright future and we mourn his loss—not only to our immediate family but for the entire community. How unbearably heartbreaking that Matt’s younger sister, Lindsey, has lost her only sibling.” said his mother, Diana Lopez.
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“There is a national epidemic of young people killing young people in senseless drinking-related incidents, said Diana Lopez. “Our son was an innocent victim of an utterly irresponsible person who took his life.
We do feel a measure of compassion for Candice Calvin and agreed to a lesser sentence. However, the opportunity for redemption must come only after proper punishment. Doing so will honor the will of Colorado’s citizens, who again and again have expressed a desire to have such devastating carnage on our public roads finally end.”
She added, “We ask Judge Gannett to impose a firm eight-year term of incarceration. This action would deliver a strong message and warning while ultimately allowing Candice Calvin to eventually go on with her life. That is an option she never offered our son, Matt.”
Diana Lopez was a principal at Centennial Elementary in the Denver Public Schools and an assistant area superintendent before her retirement in 2006. Martin Lopez retired in 2004 after 25 years as a school district speech therapist.
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Comment by DIANA LOPEZ — February 4, 2008 @ 01:53AM
MEDIA ADVISORY
Date: February 4, 2008
Contacts: Diana Lopez: 303-238-8767. 303-901-0099
Tomas Romero: 720-351-0814
SENTENCING SET FOR 2007 VAIL CAR CRASH DEATH
On February 22, 2007, Matthew Lopez, a popular Auraria Community College honor student and Wheat Ridge resident, was killed in a one-car crash in Eagle County, Colorado. Lopez, age 23, was a passenger in a car driven by Vail resident Candice Calvin, age 22. Lopez, the only son of retired Denver Public Schools educators Diana and Martin Lopez, was on an academic break and working in Vail for the ski season.
Calvin was attempting to elude a Colorado State Highway Patrol officer who was trying to cite her for driving erratically.
After a short chase, Calvin lost control of her vehicle at the Avon roundabout near Interstate 70 and the Colorado Highway 6 exit. Matthew Lopez, wearing a seat belt, died at the scene of severe head injuries. Calvin, not wearing a seat belt, survived the crash. Calvin later was arrested and charged with vehicular homicide with a DUI level of more than twice the legal limit of .08 and various other charges.
After nearly a year, Calvin reached a guilty plea agreement for a Class III felony and will be sentenced by Eagle County Judge Frederick Gannett on February 11, 2008.
“Matt was an incredible young man with a bright future and we mourn his loss—not only to our immediate family but for the entire community. How unbearably heartbreaking that Matt’s younger sister, Lindsey, has lost her only sibling.” said his mother, Diana Lopez.
-More-
“There is a national epidemic of young people killing young people in senseless drinking-related incidents, said Diana Lopez. “Our son was an innocent victim of an utterly irresponsible person who took his life.
We do feel a measure of compassion for Candice Calvin and agreed to a lesser sentence. However, the opportunity for redemption must come only after proper punishment. Doing so will honor the will of Colorado’s citizens, who again and again have expressed a desire to have such devastating carnage on our public roads finally end.”
She added, “We ask Judge Gannett to impose a firm eight-year term of incarceration. This action would deliver a strong message and warning while ultimately allowing Candice Calvin to eventually go on with her life. That is an option she never offered our son, Matt.”
Diana Lopez was a principal at Centennial Elementary in the Denver Public Schools and an assistant area superintendent before her retirement in 2006. Martin Lopez retired in 2004 after 25 years as a school district speech therapist.
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Comment by DIANA LOPEZ — February 4, 2008 @ 01:53AM
do you still write for the good of the people? I know when DOC/YOS where really messing up you took the time to check into the ill treatment of the of the kids there. Can you help the ill treatment of the employees of the state and the kids? Will you look into the wrongs going on at DYC/SOL-vista IN Pueblo, Colo? I have written letters to the capital and have asked everyone in my power for help. However I am not having any luck. I am afarid to lose my job so i am not giving my name yet. Please help the kids are not receiving treatment and they are being put out on the streets worse then when they came. Staff are treated badly the faviortism and harassment and the violation of colo state laws are out of control. The so call Clincial Director Bo Smilko is double dipping he works for the state and has a private practice. He could care less about this place he works fo CMHIP and only cares about how he looks on paper. Please help us, PLEASE PLEASE
Comment by state employee — February 5, 2008 @ 05:01PM