LETTERS

Your characterization of DU's season as "mediocre," however, was a bit confusing. The Pioneers were ranked in the top six or seven teams nationally virtually all year, and they kicked some serious butt in the first round of the NCAAs to get to the Final 8.

Although this might not compare much to their glory years of NCAA championships, it certainly signals DU's return to national prominence.

Alan Mavis
Colorado Springs

As a newcomer to Colorado, I find much of the information in the Best of Denver to be of great value, but I also think you've overlooked some of the more basic items of import in favor of your brevity.

As a lover of fine dining, I realized your foods section lacked some information I was hoping to acquire: most romantic restaurant, best view, best service, most unique ambience. So while I chuckled over the "Best Dessert Reference to Poop," I think your readers would appreciate some more useful information as well.

Ewan Sanko
Golden

This year's Best of Denver was the best ever! Every year I rush out to get the paper, and every year I am amazed to see that you can keep it up. I especially liked the "Best Pig-Out" category. Can't wait to try it! See you again next year.

Frankie Powell
Denver

For a newspaper that prides itself on its reporting, I just wish somebody down there would look a little deeper into the blues scene in Denver. You gave "Best Blues Band/Musician" to Sammy Mayfield. Sammy's keyboard player, Nathaniel Wright, has been dead for about three months--but, of course, you guys reported him as being in the band. Then you also gave "Best Blues Jam" to Billy Blues, which is closed. So you might want to tighten up your reporting a little bit, maybe look into the blues scene here in Denver. There are things going on. People do come and go, they die, clubs close, clubs open. Maybe you could actually send somebody out into the blues scene.

Hey, what a concept.
Name withheld on request

Editor's note: Hey, what about the 658 other items in the Best of Denver issue? The departure of Billy Blues caught our otherwise crack BOD staff napping; indeed, you can forget the last two words in the "closed for remodeling" sign in front of the Lakewood restaurant. The East Drive-In also shut its doors between the time it was picked as "Best Drive-in" and our date with the printing press. And while it's true that a member of Sammy Mayfield's band has passed on, Nathaniel Wright is alive and well; Marcus Jackson died in February.

Now on to the rest. Put a "south" in the Gaylord Street address of Preferred Image and Electrology, the "Best Place for a Hair-Raising Time." Although Pizza Colore no longer serves Italian D'Oro (distributed by Boyds, not Shamrock), it now brews an even better "Best Coffee Not in a Coffeehouse": Lavazza espresso, imported from Italy and distributed by Italco. Although Daniel Luna is also an artist, it's Bob Luna who is married to Martha Keating and collaborated with her on the "Best Interstate Art." Just down the street is the Romeo Block, "Best Historic Rehab (Small-Scale)"; while the project's still a winner, the real credit should go to Romeo Enterprises partners Larry Arbuthnot and Dave Fox.

A Complex Sentence
Regarding Eric Dexheimer's "An Incomplete Sentence," in the June 21 issue:
As a victim of incest, I only wish I could go through a couple of years of "therapy" to get rid of my life sentence.

I feel my bars in every aspect of my life. I hold my children and wonder what kind of mother I could have been. I watch my husband sleep and wonder what kind of wife I could have been. I look in the mirror and wonder what person I should have been. I have been handed my life sentence.

Concerning "medical castration," you do not need penile penetration to abuse.
To the people of Eagle Grove, Iowa, I have these words of advice: There is no devil in this life. The true source of evil in this world wears a human face. Consider yourselves lucky.

V.H.
Westminster

Eric Dexheimer's story about James Christensen raised some very intriguing questions. There are no easy answers. Perhaps it is true that he lived a clean life after his escape (although from everything I hear, it is not easy to identify a pedophile). And perhaps it is also true that the Colorado Parole Board has not given his case fair consideration.

But then I think about what he did to his children, and I have no problem with keeping this man in jail for a long, long time.

Andy Grant
Denver

It is a matter of time: Pedophilia will be accepted as just another normal lifestyle. Probably necrophiles and rapists will also be accepted; after all, the only difference between a normal (heterosexual) person is their sexual preference. Male homosexuals like men, female lesbians like women, pedophiles like young children, necrophiles like the dead stuff, rapists get their kicks from beating up women, and let's not forget about the discipline-and-bondage freaks.

Yes, Mr. Christensen, you might be a weirdo pervert today, but remember, in time you will do as you please and society will love you for it. There's light at the end of the tunnel...

Fred Webber
Denver

A Real Boom and Bust Cycle
Regarding Richard Fleming's "Hot Property," in the June 14 issue:
The boom in growth that Colorado is currently undergoing is bad enough. But when developers start talking about building almost on top of Rocky Flats, it is time for people who truly care about this state to speak out.

I can remember a time when real estate agents were required to warn people who wanted to buy houses that were close to Rocky Flats. And now we want to build them even closer? Years from now, who will remember to tell them what's in the ground?

In fact, years from now, will we even know what is in the ground? Will we know what is in the water? Will we know what is in the air? Will we ever really know the extent of the damage that resulted from the insanity of the Cold War and this country's military-industrial complex?

By all means, go ahead and develop the land around Rocky Flats. But do not be surprised by what might follow.

J.T. Dyer
Adams County

Speaking on behalf of many in our Blue Mountain community, we wanted you to know how pleased we are with the professional way your reporter Richard Fleming represented Westword while working on the article "Hot Property."

The many concerns we have had during the past several years as various facets of this project unfolded were reported factually and fairly. Richard Fleming is a very skilled writer, as well as a patient listener who endured the many lengthy explanations and concerns shared by the area's residents.

We feel Mr. Fleming is a credit to his profession, and we appreciate the willingness of Westword to write articles such as this to expose the truth. Thanks!

David DePenning
Concerned Citizens of Blue Mountain

The Wolverine's at the Door!
This is in reference to "Wildlife on the Move!" by Robin Chotzinoff and Eric Dexheimer, in the June 7 issue, and specifically the section on wolverines.

I don't believe I've ever heard of the Biodiversity Legal Foundation of Boulder. However, I would be willing to bet that they get their information from the Division of Wildlife and gather research from behind their desks. The Division of Wildlife is not any better. They say they would like anyone who has actually seen a wolverine to file a report with them. Good luck!

They are not interested in hearing about predators in Colorado. I've tried to tell them. Within the span of two years, both my hunting partner of thirteen years and I have seen these animals on separate occasions within a thirty-mile radius, not twenty miles from a popular ski area!

The wolverines are probably much better off without all these so-called experts knowing their whereabouts. They seem to be getting along just fine without them. They all want you to hand them absolute proof before they will even consider getting their lazy asses out of their chairs. You mean actually go out into the mountains and look for these animals? God forbid!

Well, I know I would just as soon you Division of Wildlife people stay right in your chairs where you belong. I thank you, my hunting partner thanks you, and I'm quite positive the wolverine thanks you most of all.

"I don't believe there's any evidence we have any wolverines in Colorado," says Jasper Carlton, director of the Biodiversity Legal Foundation. You know, now that I think about it, I haven't seen one either the whole time I've been at my desk typing this letter. I stand corrected.

Michael Dafni
Lakewood

A Class Act
I really enjoy reading your paper, as I refuse to follow the dailies. However, I was very disappointed with the article regarding Rita Montero, a lady who has turned her life around and has worked hard to accomplish her goals (Arthur Hodges's "Educating Rita," June 7). I also was raised during this era and knew some of the carnals and carnalas mentioned in the article. I also think if it were not for people like Corky, Kiko, et al., our Raza would not be where we are today. Through the efforts and sacrifices of these people, our children were able to rise academically and to realize the dreams we never could. God bless you, Rita.

Daniel C. Martinez Sr.
Denver

Keep It Quiet
Steve Jackson's article "The Quiet Man," in the June 14 issue, was the best thing I have ever read in Westword. I think it's worthy of a Pulitzer Prize.

Usually the only thing I read is the restaurant reviews, which are also very helpful and well-written.

Congratulations!
Mary Johnson
Denver

Gallo Scores Again
It was truly a moving experience to read Bill Gallo's account of Roger Maris's role in baseball's annals ("An Asterisk Is Born," June 21).

Gallo somehow immerses himself into the being of his subject. I recall his sensitivity in a past article he wrote about the Lady Buffs at the beginning of basketball coach Ceal Barry's renaissance of women's basketball at CU.

Gallo is due well-earned plaudits for his gifted writing and his efforts in plumbing the depth of the human spirit.

Rolf O. Norstog
Lakewood

Promise Them Anything...
Regarding Kenny Be's June 21 Worst-Case Scenario:
Promise Keepers--70,000 guilt-ridden losers.

Fifty-five dollars a person, $3,850,000 gross receipts. And Pope McCartney goes to work for a waterbed company. Could they make a soap opera out of this?

How many nonbelievers, Muslims, Buddhists, Hindus, atheists and agnostics were watching on TV, silently chuckling to themselves?

Lawrence C. Farnan
Arvada

Isn't it interesting that we had a beautiful warm day in Denver on Gay Pride Day on the 25th, but the Promise Keepers' last day had so much rain that many people left early and had to hear the closing ceremony on the radio?

For those who believe in a God who can and does intervene in the weather and our lives, whom do you think He was smiling on, and what do you think it means?

All that praying didn't keep the rain away.
Name withheld on request

Radio Daze
Regarding Michael Roberts's "Dial `M' For Mediocre," in the May 31 issue:
Double pay for Michael Roberts in return for (a) a superb profile of Denver radio and (b) having to listen to all that bad Denver stuff. Wow!

Small suggestion: When anyone needs a sanity fix after being exposed to Hal or Floorwax or Limbaugh, etc., give KCFR another chance. It does three things KUVO and KVOD don't:

(1) All Things Considered each afternoon (NPR)

(2) Excellent newscasts on the hour--important news, not cutesie drivel as from TV (NPR)

(3) NPR Saturday and Sunday programs like Weekend Edition. Again, top radio talent. Solid stuff.

And that blessed relief from classical music--especially Mozart at noon every weekday with Flanagan or Samson. Yes!

Pat Bourgeron
Denver

Oh, Seance, Can You See?
Regarding Arthur Hodges's "Political Seance," in the May 31 issue:
I'd like to comment on Mr. Hodges's quotes in regard to Francie Miran, director of the Commission on Aging, buying T-shirts for seniors. I had the pleasure of co-chairing the Spring Into Health conference for older adults. Through generous sponsorships, approximately 400 participants enjoyed an informative day of exercise, walking and seminars on numerous health topics.

Francie was responsible for the budget aspect of the event (thank goodness!). Sponsorships and expenditures were handled through the office of Human Rights and Community Relations.

Thanks for the opportunity to clarify Mr. Hodges's information.
Connie Larscheidt
Denver

State of Exhaustion
Regarding the June 21 Letters column:
I know that Northglenn is a long way from the rest of the world, so Harold Hodges probably hasn't heard that gas prices in other countries are five times what they are in the USA.

The RTD subsidies Hodges mentions are a pitiful drop in the bucket compared to the billions we spend keeping the gulf open and keeping fuel prices artificially low here in the United States so Harold can tool around in his gas hog.

My family came to Colorado from Los Angeles in 1968 to get away from the mess they were making there, only to see it happen again here. Our destiny is to be submerged in an ocean of cars; even I admit it. Automobiles are the lifeblood of our nation.

In response to Mr. Hodges's amusing suggestion that I "straddle a hot exhaust pipe," I would suggest that he unwrap his lips from around the same exhaust pipe for just a minute and take a last look at the Front Range before the pavement takes over completely.

R. Metz
Denver