The Write Stuff

The play’s definitely the thing in Denver this week, with the Denver Center Theatre Company hosting the Colorado 2008 New Play Summit, which starts today and runs through February 16. The trio of world-premiere productions that grew out of scripts commissioned by artistic director Kent Thompson last year will be…

Dear Diary

I used to quake when I had to read during poetry class. It was bad enough just having to raise my voice to an audible level in front of unsubjective others, let alone having to bare my soul in public. But on the other hand, there was also a fleeting…

Flippin’ Awesome

We knew that local skateboarder William Spencer was the purveyor of some wacky tricks, but this? Fast plants, early grabs, finger flips, uh, hand stands . . . board-to-board-to-board transfers? His skills first went on display when the Denver Shop, a skateboard hangout, premiered the video “Hollarado!” last July. But…

Mug Shot

I knew the melt was on yesterday when I did something I haven’t been brave enough to do since December 20: drive to work with a cup of coffee. You wouldn’t stop by Starbucks before getting on a bucking bronco, and maneuvering our rutted streets was a real rodeo. I…

Save the Date(s)

All of you out there in Hotcakesland, take note: National Pancake Day is coming! And what, exactly, is National Pancake Day? Well, that depends on who you ask… If you want to take a historical view, this year’s National Pancake Day will be on Tuesday, February 20 — otherwise known…

Save the Date(s)

All of you out there in Hotcakesland, take note: National Pancake Day is coming! And what, exactly, is National Pancake Day? Well, that depends on who you ask… If you want to take a historical view, this year’s National Pancake Day will be on Tuesday, February 20 — otherwise known…

Catholic Mailbag

This just in from Barb Wasko in Englewood, refering to my prattling on about Friday fish fries and the Pope in my recent review of the British Bulldog: Fish on Friday — boy, did that ever bring back some memories! Yes, I am a “recovering Catholic.” Grew up in Omaha,…

Catholic Mailbag

This just in from Barb Wasko in Englewood, refering to my prattling on about Friday fish fries and the Pope in my recent review of the British Bulldog: Fish on Friday — boy, did that ever bring back some memories! Yes, I am a “recovering Catholic.” Grew up in Omaha,…

Remember Darrent Williams

Remember Darrent Williams this weekend. The Denver Broncos didn’t make the playoffs, much less the Super Bowl, but the Mile High cornerback with the frohawk who was shot to death on January 1 deserves some recognition from da Bears, the Colts, the NFL and all fans. The stage is set,…

Coming Home

Casey Holden was sixteen years old when he got locked up on juvenile drug and theft charges. A series of problems while serving his time, including two assaults and cutting off his ankle bracelet when he was almost done, has kept him behind bars most of the last decade. For…

Revved Up

The current controversy surrounding Reverend Acen Phillips isn’t the first time his financial dealings have made the news. Ten years ago, Westword reported on his penchant for fancy cars and fleecing members of his church’s flock; for the full story, go here. And Shelly Lowe, the deceased woman at the…

On the Rise

Even though Ben Kronberg lives in Denver, he’ll take a plane to Aspen for the U.S. Comedy Arts Festival that starts February 28. He’s not lazy or spoiled, but the festival is providing him with a ticket, so why not cut out the three-hour car trip? He’s even got his…

The Bogeyman’s Back

Is revenge sweet, or sour? That’s what 20/20 wants to know, and tomorrow night the ABC show will devote two hours (starting at 8 p.m. on Channel 7 in Denver) to examining that “powerful human emotion.” Among the examples: Former Westword staff writer David Holthouse confronting the man who raped…

Hot Burnin’

Reader reviews of the Rocky Mountain News’ redesign may be mixed — but whoa, what’s up with the new columnist photos? Who knew that pasty and pale writers could look so damn sexy?! You have to wonder what these wordsmiths were thinking as they stepped in front of the lens…

Snow Time

The nephew of Coors Brewing CEO Pete Coors has gained approval from Clear Creek County to reopen a long-dormant ski area near St. Mary’s Glacier under the name Eclipse. Last night 25-year-old Michael Coors got the 2-1 go-ahead from county commissioners, ending an application process that began more than a…

Shining Stars

Surviving the first year as a nonprofit is reason to celebrate — especially when in that year, an organization serves 75 families with critically ill children. To mark the occasion, the Boulder-based There With Care will host All the World Is a Stage tonight at the Boulder Theater, 2032 14th…

Beware the Mommies

In an interview that aired today on Colorado Matters , Denver Public Schools superintendent Michael Bennet discussed the controversial redesign of North High School. In a district that is suffering from “catastrophic institutional failure,” as Bennet put it, North has the worst graduation rate in DPS — out of 700…

Friends With Bennys

Snooze owner Jon Schlegel certainly has loyal fans — and family members. Today’s print edition includes a response to my January 18 Second Helping from Schlegel’s brother Adam, who works at the popular breakfast/lunch place. We also received the following from another relative who lives in Tucson: What’s Jason Sheehan…

Friends With Bennys

Snooze owner Jon Schlegel certainly has loyal fans — and family members. Today’s print edition includes a response to my January 18 Second Helping from Schlegel’s brother Adam, who works at the popular breakfast/lunch place. We also received the following from another relative who lives in Tucson: What’s Jason Sheehan…

A Smokin’ Deal

“Check it out,” I said. “The dancing pizza is back. Why do you think it’s wearing a top hat?” And with that, I begin this week’s exploration of Lebanese cuisine and Middle Eastern pop music at Aladdin Cafe and Grill — where the falafel is hot, the hookahs are smokin’…

A Smokin’ Deal

“Check it out,” I said. “The dancing pizza is back. Why do you think it’s wearing a top hat?” And with that, I begin this week’s exploration of Lebanese cuisine and Middle Eastern pop music at Aladdin Cafe and Grill — where the falafel is hot, the hookahs are smokin’…

Help Is at Hand

“I can no longer, with good conscience, tell my neighbors and consituents that ‘the city is on its way,'” Denver City Council President Michael Hancock said in an e-mail to the Hickenlooper administration. Almost six weeks after the first flakes fell, the natives are getting restless. But just imagine if…