“There can be no doubt that density has its advantages. In general, denser cities are more productive, more innovative, and more energy efficient. But only up to a point. The key function of a city is to enable exchange, interaction, and the combination and recombination of people and ideas. When buildings become so massive that street life disappears, they can damp down and limit just this sort of interaction, creating the same isolation that is more commonly associated with sprawl.”

Read the entire article at the Atlantic Cities: The Limits of Density.

Dorothy Brigham, 1932-1996

I have an unending amount of stories I could tell about my mother, Dotty, but no one anecdote tells the tale of my mother’s life as it relates to mine.

So, I’ll let others tell their stories and let my words stand alone, a tribute to my mom, Dorothy Brigham.

First, Dotty deserves a big, big pie and a million candles wth extra ice cream.

Dotty had a tumultuous life of trial and test, yet, she remained a fighter, a peaceful warrior, who always wanted the best for her children.

She had her inner struggles but was there for others in time of need, especially, in my case.

I could be double trouble and, yet, she stood by me.

Like all mothers she was always willing to give opinion and advice but whatever path I chose she supported me on that path.

I will remember my mom with proud respect and dignity, for her good intentions, her competitiveness (especially on the tennis court) and her undying attempt to understand and be understood.

Dotty’s fairness, her ability to treat her children, friends and acquaintances with equanimity is her legacy.

In her dying she has shown me my own capacity to love and be loved.

May you rest in peace, Mom. You deserve it.

He has put the goober in gubernatorial.

Jim Hightower on Texas Governor Rick Perry

Jim Hightower

Enjoy the wit and wisdom of former Texas Agriculture Commissioner Jim Hightower at PLAN-Boulder County’s Annual Dinner on June 3.  The Annual Dinner is a long-standing Boulder tradition where folks who care about the future of our beautiful city gather to celebrate, be entertained, reconnect with old friends, and honor PBC award winners.

Jim Hightower is a New York Times best-selling author and has written several books including, Thieves In High Places: They’ve Stolen Our Country And It’s Time To Take It Back; If the Gods Had Meant Us To Vote They Would Have Given Us Candidates; There’s Nothing In the Middle Of the Road But Yellow Stripes and Dead Armadillos; and Swim Against the Current, Even a Dead Fish Can Go with the Flow. His newspaper column is distributed nationally by Creators Syndicate.  He has spent three decades battling the Powers That Be on behalf of the Powers That Ought To Be – consumers, working families, environmentalists, small businesses, and just-plain-folks.

The dinner is open to both PBC members and the public, with discounts available to members.  An early bird member discount  expires on May 12.  Visit the PLAN-Boulder website for details.

It should be a hoot!

Rocky Flats National Wildlife Refuge (wikipedia)

The proposed Jefferson Parkway does not meet smart 21st century sustainable transportation goals, according to the League of Women Voters of Jefferson County. The League opposes the proposed private toll road on many levels. It fails our tests for adequate public input and transparency, government accountability, and economic sustainability.

The League’s opposition to the proposed parkway stems from our in-depth study of the toll road, and is based on its consensus-driven standards for evaluating any highway proposal.

The parkway’s route through the Rocky Flats National Wildlife Refuge needs updated analysis, the League believes. Since the original Environmental Impact Statement was completed, new proposals for commercial and residential development on the east, south, and west refuge boundaries have surfaced.

Costs to taxpayers should be clarified. Estimated costs for area governmental entities and the Colorado Department of Transportation range from $300 million to $500 million to construct interchanges at the north and south ends of the toll road in order to actually complete the metro area beltway.

The League further believes that questions about the long term consequences of the parkway should be answered. Does it mesh with land use goals for the area? Have all alternatives, including public transit, been considered? Have all environmental impacts, such as those to wildlife and scenic vistas, been assessed? Will the public interest be served if a non-compete clause were included in a private investor’s contract prohibiting improvements along arterials abutting the parkway?

Until this information is provided the Jeffco LWV will continue to oppose the Jefferson Parkway private toll road.

Ann Roux is the President of the League of Women Voters of Jefferson County. The LWV, a nonpartisan political organization, encourages informed and active participation in government, works to increase understanding of major public policy issues, and influences public policy through education and advocacy. Visit the League’s website, www.lwfjeffco.org, email us at jeffcolwv@netzero.net or call us at 303 -238-0032 to learn more about the Jeffco League’s activities.

Obama at the Coors Event Center (photo by Stephen Fenberg)

“We only paid off our student debt eight years ago. Think about that—I’m the President of the United States.” With that statement and others President Barack Obama brought laughs, yells, and awed silences to the thousands gathered at the Coors Event Center yesterday.

Many in the crowd had been waiting the entire day in order to get a good view of the president. Some classes were cancelled, bus routes were changed, roads were closed, and the Secret Service was positioned all over and even on top of the Coors Event Center. Granted, even with these measures campus security did not seem as tight as on 4/20, which was a few days prior.

The atmosphere in the center was excited but also perhaps a little tired; probably due to waiting in the 80 something degree weather for hours. The Coors Event Center was stuffy and even a bit humid. After a brief introduction President Barack Obama took the stage and received a standing ovation.

The President said, “You guys are just glad school’s almost out.” Which, of course, led to more cheers. He described his meal he had just eaten at the Sink and his encounter with a young woman, who in her excitement spilled yogurt on Obama and the Secret Service.

The main focus of the evening was student loan reform and rising tuition costs. This topic is close to home for many CU students with the upcoming tuition hike.

Obama emphasized the importance of young Americans seeking higher education. ‎He said, “College is not only the best investment you can make in your future—it’s the best investment you can make in your country’s future.” Obama went on to empathize with the difficulties students face in paying for this education.

He described the early days of his marriage to Michelle, how they had almost no assets and combined their student debt when they got married.  He acknowledged that the situation is only getting worse for students these days.

Obama encouraged the audience to write their congressmen about interest rates on federal student loans, which if Congress doesn’t act before July 1^st, could start doubling. Obama fears this could prevent the middle class from being able to afford and attend college. Demonstrating that he’s hip to social media, Obama suggested that they could also facebook and tweet Congress members as well. Obama’s speech lasted just over half an hour.

The audience was receptive and responsive throughout his speech. On several occasions individuals would yell out to Obama after which he would pause for a few moments before launching back into his speech. At one point someone yelled, “We believe in you!” Obama looked around the crowd before he responded, “I believe in you. I believe in you.”

Bike lanes in Montreal (flickr PJ Peterson http://flic.kr/p/8x1yKK)

“[C]ities with a greater supply of bike paths and lanes have significantly higher bike commute rates—even when controlling for land use, climate, socioeconomic factors, gasoline prices, public transport supply, and cycling safety. … Our results are consistent with previous research on the importance of separate cycling facilities and provide additional information about the potentially different role of paths vs. lanes. Our  analysis also revealed that cities with safer cycling, lower auto ownership, more students, less sprawl, and higher gasoline prices had more cycling to work. By comparison, annual precipitation, the number of cold and hot days, and public transport supply were not statistically significant predictors of bike commuting in large cities.”

Read the entire study at: bikepaths.pdf (application/pdf Object).

The Little Rock Nine Monument (photo by cliff1066™)

In 1957, Carlotta Walls LaNier walked into Central High School as the youngest member of what is now known as the Little Rock Nine. This act of defiance became one of the most important events of the Civil Rights movement.

Ms. LaNier went on to be the first African-American to graduate from Little Rock Central High School. She received the NAACP’s Spingarn Medal and the Congressional Gold Medal as a member of the Little Rock Nine.

On Tuesday, April 24^th at 6:30 in Casey Middle School Auditorium, Ms. LaNier will be speaking about her experiences and signing her new memoir A Mighty Long Way. Tickets are $5.00, but no one will be turned away for the inability to pay.

photo by Bonnie Martin

Fish—not the typical smell you associate with the counterculture marijuana holiday known as 4/20—yet, when walking through Norlin Quad today, the usual epicenter of Boulder’s 4/20, that was the predominant scent.  Fish-based fertilizer was one of many tools the University of Colorado’s administration used to deter 4/20 celebrations and illegal marijuana use on campus today.

photo by Bonnie Martin

As early as 8:00am CUPD, Boulder PD, and Campus Security were surrounding CU’s campus directing traffic and taping off Norlin Quad. Notices were posted stating that illegal activity or trespassing on the quad would result in criminal prosecution. Police and security guards circled the campus, allowing only students and faculty with Buff Cards to enter. Students who had forgotten or lost their ID cards were turned away and not able to attend class

Another way CU attempted to keep students off of Norlin Quad was by sponsoring a free concert at the Coors Event Center. Wyclef Jean, a rapper and ironically a major supporter of legalizing marijuana, was the headliner. Several hundred students attended the concert, and no one was allowed into Coors Event Center after 4:00pm.

photo by Bonnie Martin

Of course, students and protesters found an outlet. Hundreds joined a march through campus carrying signs that read things like “Occupy 4/20” and “God Hates Cops.” The crowd of about 300 stopped outside of the Duane Physics building to light up at 4:20 p.m. The crowd dwindled until the last of the protestors yelled, “Now, let’s march to get munchies!”

photo by Morgan Meyer

Meanwhile, several hundred students milled about the perimeter of Norlin quad. Some carried signs, most just looked like they were waiting for something to happen. One student began yelling, “This is for our rights!” and took off running through the police tape and onto the quad. He was pursued by several cops and escorted away with handcuffs while the crowd cheered him on.

It’s estimated that police and security measures were doubled this year, as well as the budget. Last year, CU spent $55,000 handling the event and the cleanup. A total of 3 students were arrested today for trespassing on the quad. One $100 fine for smoking pot was given.

Despite doubts, CU’s new security measures were able take 4/20 off of Norlin Quad this year. This did, however, create as much or more of a disruption and inconvenience for students and faculty. The illegal activities CU administration wanted to deter still took place on campus—just in a different location and on a smaller scale.

Photo by Loco Steve

“It’s going to be fast. It’s going to be genuinely competitive with the car, unlike our current service,” said Dawn Chase, RFTA marketing, communications and design manager.

The goal will be for VelociRFTA buses to make the trip between Aspen and Glenwood Springs in one hour.

4/20/10 photo by anotherdrummer (Flickr creative commons http://flic.kr/p/7VbeAC)

As you know by now, the annual 4/20 cannabis smoke-out is fast approaching. For several years, thousands from all over the Metro Area have gathered on CU’s Norlin Quad to toke up at precisely 4:20pm. After an afternoon of low-key festivities a cloud of smoke rises above the Quad to cheers from participants and onlookers. Soon after, the crowd disperses, volunteer crews clear the field of trash and by the next morning it’s impossible to tell anything involving such a large mass of humanity has occurred. To my knowledge there has never been violence, vandalism or a significant injury during the event. Normally the police stand around the perimeter, obviously relaxed and bemused, occasionally issuing tickets to partiers who inadvertently light up under officers’ noses. The biggest criticism one might level against the confab is that despite being a rather defiant gesture in the face of one of the longest and cruelest of America’s seeming endless litany of failed wars, the event has remained remarkably non-political.

Unfortunately, 4/20′s aura of smoke mediated tranquility will dramatically change. In a vainglorious attempt to protect its costly commercial branding scheme, the CU administration plans to crack down on 4/20. They want to “put an end” to the gathering, which apparently has impeded the administration’s desire to present an unblemished corporate image to wealthy donors and upper class alumni. The effort to repress 4/20 began last year with publicized administration complaints about alleged “disruption” and the “cost” of managing the crowds. The administration’s public cost claims were riddled with double counting and bogus numbers and the disruption no worse than a Friday afternoon football game.

Now, initiating an ill-considered policy shift the CU administration will shell out hundreds of thousands of dollars to convert campus into a garrison state, complete with armored perimeters, hire a pot-loving hip hop artist in Coors Events Center to distract students gullible enough to fall for the ruse, and mobilize hundreds of police to wage war against pot smokers. Incredibly, in an ultimate display of condescension and disrespect, the CU administration plans to lock students inside the Coors Center during the concert. A demeaning email was sent to CU students ordering them stay away from the Quad, which will be closed off and surrounded by armed police, and not invite their friends to campus. The email signed by CU administrators and a sadly complicit student government tri-executive threatens to publicly out, on a CU website, any students caught in the act so that their expensive and hard-won bachelors degrees might be compromised in a depressed labor market.

Aside from blackmailing students and militarizing the campus, the CU administration plan represents an elitist attack on young people, whose welfare the University is entrusted to protect. Several hundred police will be pitted against thousands who in past years have peacefully assembled on the CU campus with virtually no untoward consequences. Given that the CU action will involve the application of significant police power against so many people, the potential for an incident, a miscalculation, a mistake, a spark, seems rather high. Images of smoke, not from pot, but from teargas canisters amidst running battles across campus are easy to conjure. Apparently, the risk of violent confrontation is something this CU administration is gladly willing to take in its reckless zeal to protect its “brand.” As a staffer whose job is to ensure students’ success, I find the administration’s plan not only grossly immoral and embarrassing, but extremely irresponsible and dangerous.