John Hickenlooper and the case of the vanishing F-bombs

The video above, promoting Hick Town, a proposed documentary/reality series by director George Hickenlooper starring his cousin, Denver mayor John Hickenlooper, has been available on YouTube for months. Most of the footage was shot during the Democratic National Convention — hence the presence of Barack Obama, among other political heavyweights…

Rene Marie moving on from “Black National Anthem” flap

Today at 11 p.m. on KUVO/89.3 FM, a public-radio station that specializes in jazz and blues, singer Rene Marie will perform live for Denver Public Schools music students as part of a KUVO/DPS partnership program. However, the station’s press release makes no mention of the reason many, if not most,…

So… you want to contact Joe Nacchio in prison?

Today’s a big day for former Qwest CEO Joe Nacchio — the day when he must report to the Federal Correctional Institution in Schuylkill, Pennsylvania and begin serving his six-year insider-trading sentence. Last week, we offered Nacchio advice about how to spend his last six weeks of freedom, as well…

The Westword.com blog shortcut, April 13 edition

This town rips the bone from your back. Today in Backbeat Online: • Over the Weekend: Bruce Springsteen at Pepsi Center. • Record Store Day preview: Odds and sods, Blitzen Trapper-style. • Flobots’ Jonny 5 rallies the troops for higher ed. • Mr. Midas, DJ Quote unite for free Last…

Denver Blogs: Somebody buy Ken Salazar a sandwich

Our daily blog round-up is here. Send tips this way. According to financial disclosure statements, Ken Salazar is not hiding bundles of money underneath that giant hat. (Colorado Independent) Introducing the Jay Cutler bath mat! (The Decider) The battle over Pinnacol spills into the streets outside the Capitol. (Colorado Pols)…

As sad season ends, Colorado Avalanche fall off fan radar

The Colorado Avalanche ended their 2008-2009 season in appropriate fashion, winding up on the short end of a 1-0 loss to the St. Louis Blues — and a sidebar about the game by Denver Post hockey scribe Adrian Dater is freighted with symbolism about the future. Joe Sakic, the heartbeat…

Kenny Be’s Yard Arteology: Tubular Gals

The study of neighbors through their lawn ornaments… Figure 15. Wash. Park West: Tubular Gals Denver is a city of artists. Anyone who has ever tried to make a living by selling their art here quickly realizes that there are actually more artists than residents in this city. The most…

Cell-phone story on Channel 4 obliterates line between news, promotion

When journalists talk about “the separation of church and state,” they’re referring to an important tenet of editorial independence. Specifically, the news department is supposed to do its work without interference or influence from their business-side colleagues. That way, reporters and editors maintain their credibility, instead of being vulnerable to…

Channel 4 to Twitter — gallbladder surgery?

Who isn’t jumping on the Twitter bandwagon? Last week, we told you about the Boulder Police Department’s new Twitter feed. Now, Channel 4 is boasting about Dr. Dave Hnida, the station’s medical expert, Twittering the gallbladder surgery of a seven-year-old girl. This gimmick, which can be followed live beginning at…

Over the we Drunekend:ks, fights, Rockies, weed, Wolverines

Some things you might have missed this weekend: • On Thursday — it was a long weekend, alright? — fans of the ganj gathered to raise money for a 420 Rally. Read Chris Castellano’s dispatch. • Also Thursday, people got silly at Alibi, and Jamie Secrest took their photos. •…

Elvis renews my wedding vows: a slideshow

A blog published last Thursday previewed that evening’s renewal of my wedding vows in Las Vegas by none other than Elvis — or someone who dresses like him and bears a certain resemblance. Well, the deed was done, and it was just as weird as I’d hoped. My wife Deb…

Denver Parks and Recreation on Parks and Recreation

Parks and Recreation, the new NBC city-government sitcom starring Saturday Night Live alum Amy Poehler, boasts a few local connections. For one thing, the show’s bore-tastic logo for its fictional City of Pawnee is a spot-on remake of a controversially bland new logo proposed for Fort Collins last year. The…

Task force unveils plan for city rec centers

The city’s Recreation Center Task Force has unveiled its final recommendations in a nine-page document that outlines a long-term plan for Denver’s 29 recreation centers. The doc, released late last week, differs from previous drafts in a few key ways, according to Denver Parks and Recreation spokeswoman Jill McGranahan. After…

420 Rally faces losome gistical problems, shockingly enough

If Denver’s marijuana enthusiasts are serious about decriminalizing their favorite narcotic, they sure didn’t show much enthusiasm for it on Thursday night. Or maybe they just got stoned and forgot. Either way, I was surprised by how few people showed up for the Official 420 Rally Fundraiser, held at Pure…

Rockies Opening Day 2009: The ill-advised live blog

Read from the bottom up. Or not at all. 4:44 Two down in the ninth. Before we leave for the bar, let me assure you I am not wearing a Cardinals hat. My hat is not red. It says “SC,” which does not have anything to so with St. Louis…