December 19, 2011

SandBox Comments: Africa Water Wells Org "Sandy and Bud Mulcahy"

Meet Lee's family, Sandy and Bud Mulcahy.

The mission?

To build a water well for Yegon Richard's village near Sotik in western Kenya.

Click the title to read all the details and be sure to watch the video of their trip to Africa.  Amazing scenes.

One of Lee's contributions to the family venture?

Purchase artist Lee Mulcahy's 'Big $$' pictured below. 

A tax deductible purchase for $10,000 benefitting the Baptist Church of Kenya. 

For more information, contact Lee E. Mulcahy, PhD  53 Forge Road, Aspen, CO  81611.  (817) 371-0529   skiaspen50@hotmail.com

SandBox Comments: Glenwood Springs Post Independent "There was just one Hitch"

"...Among the many things that made Hitchens unique was his precision of thought and expression. What made him rare were his courage and tenacity. He was fearless in the field and relentless in his defense of the defenseless with that mightiest of swords — his pen. Judging from his final essays, he was also fearless in the face of death. Terrified that he might lose his ability to write and therefore his being? Well, that was something else.

In his last article for Vanity Fair, Hitchens said he wanted to be fully present at death so that he might experience it actively rather than passively. How perfect that a man who was never passive about living would go un-gentle (but surely gentlemanly) into that dark night, and dare death to have the last word."
(Kathleen Parker)

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SandBox Comments: Aspen Daily News "Theatre Aspen plan faces scrutiny from City Council"

This news is a bit tough for SandBox to hear.  It's highly likely commentators who follow us are going to agree.

When the subject of leaving the tent frame up year-round came up and the extremely high dollar money that was going out of city coffers every year simply for tent maintenance, storage and removal; a pretty lively discussion took place.  Director Paige Price joined in, gave a lot of good information with the end result being no further response when commentators pinned down the unanswered questions.

Why is the city funding such a high dollar maintenance?  Why isn't Theatre Aspen self-sustaining? Are there going to be any more unseen by taxpayers expenditures and how can there be a more transparent process?

Well, looks like we just might have the reason Ms. Price went silent.

Plans like these do not just spring up overnight.  The City of Aspen, even if they were flush with cash, shouldn't be the bailout for these types of programs.

If as popular as everyone says, why isn't this organization able to fully sustain themselves?

As for the public lands use for permanent structures, some of which to be used for storage; the city should say absolutely not.

If a structure is needed for ticket venues, etc. then come up with one that can be used by a number of park events and not held just for Theatre Aspen.

As for storage, the thought is ludicrous.  Become self-sustaining and fund the rental of storage facilities.

(Learn more?  Click title.  Comment to discuss)

SandBox Comments: Summit County Citizens Voice "Travel: UN looks at growing mountain tourism sector"

"SUMMIT COUNTY — Mountain tourism has a long and storied tradition in places like the Alps of Europe and Colorado, but countries with emerging econonmies are also trying to get into the game.

The UN’s World Tourism Organization will hold a two-day conference (April 11-12) in Andorra to spotlight mountain and snow tourism, with presentations on emerging resorts in Bulgaria and Serbia, as well as a case study involving Pyeongchang, the South Korean city hosting the 2018 Winter Olympics.

The full agenda is online at the conference website.

The 7th World Congress on Snow and Mountain Tourism will also focus on providing a clear understanding of the challenges and opportunities of the snow and mountain destinations and to acquire an overview of successful business models, innovation, the impact of climate change and tourism marketing during.

“The Snow and Mountain Tourism World Congress is a great opportunity for tourist experts and professionals, and especially those related to this important market, to meet, to analyse the evolution and to discuss the challenges and opportunities of the future,” said Taleb Rifai, Secretary General of the World Tourism Organisation...."
(Bob Berwyn)

(Learn more?  Click title.  Comment to discuss)

December 17, 2011

SandBox Comments: Aspen Times "Paul Nitze: Financier doesn't know incendiary"

(Deep sigh of resignation....rolls eyes...)

He is, after all, a Democrat by choice, heart and by nature.


(Read this blazing liberal 'somewhat of a manifesto' by Paul Nitze this morning?  Click title.)

SandBox Comments: KJCT News 8 ""BearCat" Drops Off Toys"

Finally!!

The answer to the question:  "What is a BearCat really used for?"

"GRAND JUNCTION, Colo. -- The Grand Junction Police and Mesa County Sheriff's Office SWAT teams have been working along side Fruita Police and the Colorado State Patrol for the past two weeks.

They had a goal in mind and today it was accomplished.


A SWAT armored rescue vehicle, called the "BearCat" rolled into The Salvation Army in Grand Junction...."
(KJCT)

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SandBox Comments: Pueblo Chieftain "Case raises criticism of DA's office "

What about the accused, David Carrillo?  And the alleged victim?

That seems to be a question that's been completely lost in the war going on down in the 10th Judicial District.

There are a couple of judicial districts in Colorado that have heated battles stirring in the races for District Attorney.

In the eyes of voters in commentary, there couldn't be a more opportune time than 2012.

There is little doubt anywhere that a conservative will win the Presidential Election.  And that there will be major uprooting in Washington, D.C.

The folks are fed up.  Had a belly full and just not going to take it anymore.  On the other hand, not one of these politicians schmoozing for our votes right now are looking ahead at how the states are going to handle having what they want dumped right in their laps.

What's going to happen when the State of Colorado has all the handling of education, human services and immigration placed into their hands and out of the hands of the feds?

For a long time, the folks have been hollering that they think politics should be removed from anything that is tied to their physical safety and security.  Primarily, the offices of Sheriff and District Attorney.  That Judges should be the only ones needing to receive a nod from the folks.

There could not be a better example of outrageous government conduct than Democrat Bill Thiebaut.  He's the 10th's current D.A. and recently rose up in public scrutiny over his involvement in congressional redistricting issues.  This is a public official who has made no bones about the fact that  he is using the Office of the District Attorney as a political stepping stone.

Nothing wrong with that, many D.A.'s do same.

But what happens to accused David Carrillo?  What happens to the alleged victim?

The folks would like to know.

(Learn more?  Click title.  Comment to discuss)
"Truth goes through three stages. First it is ridiculed. Then it is violently opposed. Finally, it is accepted as self-evident."

SandBox Comments: Aspen Times/Letter to the Editor "Taking blame for signs on museum site"

Never, in the past or future history of Aspen, Colorado will there ever be a building built that is or will be uglier than the upcoming Aspen Art Museum.

The most god-awful looking design in history of The Valley.  Possibly even the world.  Good lord, it is an atrocity.

Seriously.  Ask just about any local.

And which Valley community is currently cornering the market on social, business and professional homicide through the use of gossip?

The histrionics of the Aspen Art Museum director come very close to a wide range of others in socially prominent positions in our local communities who ratchet up similar public displays.

What sets 'us' apart from the norm around the nation in the gossip arenas?

Most communities have banned the town square/public stocks/stoning thing.

So, so not cool.  

Since she personally knows how upset and shook-up Lee Mulcahy was at the possible allegation being twisted by out-of-control local power brokers; over this stupid, ridiculous grandstanding and completely unfounded debacle that the Aspen Art Museum director pulled over these harmless (and dead-on accurate in content) signs....'SandBox Nanny' sends out a special thank you to the City of Aspen cop who immediately saw reason and decided to simply ask Lee what his involvement was rather than 'throw him in the public stocks, then the slam and hold court right there in order to sentence him to death'.

Whew!

Mr. Cohen, we couldn't agree with you more.

"Dear Editor:

Since the Aspen Art Museum director has seen fit to open an attack against Lee Mulcahy, I will take this opportunity to confess to being the person who hung the two “For Sale” signs on the tractor trailers that were parked on the vacant lot (construction site) where the Wienerstube used to stand.

The signs were two 81⁄2- by 11-inch sheets of copy paper Scotch-taped with two strips of tape on each computer-printed sheet. I thought that this would be an amusing way to call attention to this extremely disliked project that has been forced upon our cityscape.

I do not know Mr. Mulcahy, and I do not know what he did to incur the wrath of the Art Museum director, but please do not condemn him for my actions.

Having cleared the record regarding whatever minor incidents occurred, I am offended by Madam Director's branding these actions as “cowardly.” She, who engineered the slimy, underhanded, backroom blackmailing (or worse?) of City Council, in order to hide her project from the scrutiny of the public approval process, is the true coward...."
(Richie Cohen, Aspen)


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SandBox Comments: KREX News 5 "Powderhorn Recieves an A on Environmental Report Card"

"...Grading criteria includes not developing undisturbed lands and protecting endangered species, protecting watersheds, conserving energy with investments in renewable energy, as well as limiting expansion of snow making.

Powderhorn shared its A with two Aspen resorts, but beat them both by percentage points."
(Jordan Sherman)

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December 16, 2011

SandBox Comments: Denver Post "SEC charges ex-Fannie, Freddie CEOs with fraud"

Hmmm....wonder if these are the same guys that ran around with Newt over at Fannie and Freddie?

(Read the article?  Click title.)

SandBox Comments: Red State "Barack Obama Throws Bill Clinton Under the Bus "

Erick Erickson:

"Historically when the left takes power in a country they begin to rewrite their history. Barack Obama, a quintessential leftist, has started doing that in the run up to his re-election. In his speech in Kansas last week, Obama claimed that at no time in our history had we ever spurred economic growth and prosperity by cutting taxes and deregulating.

He conveniently had to overlook John F. Kennedy’s tax cutting in the 1960′s. But more importantly and more relevantly, he had to ignore the Reagan Revolution of the 1980′s that brought about an explosion of economic growth. As Newt Gingrich pointed out yesterday, in one month in 1983 the Reagan Recovery generated more than one million new jobs.

Barack Obama and the Left must dismiss and gloss over this point. They must fixate on income inequality. They must fixate on poverty. Never mind that all levels of society saw benefit from the Reagan Revolution. While it was not equal, the overwhelming number of Americans alive at the time saw their standard of living go up.

The left would respond by arguing that it went up too much for some and not enough for others.

What they are actually saying is that they’d rather it had not gone up at all then to see some get even richer. While, as Reagan noted, the right measures the success of a welfare program by how many people are able to get off it, the left measures the success of welfare programs by how many people get on it.

And so it is that Barack Obama has to throw Bill Clinton under the bus to make his case for re-election...."

(Read more?  Click title.  Comment to discuss)

SandBox Comments: KKCO 11 News "Crackdown Coming? "

"DENVER (AP) -- Federal authorities are considering a crackdown on medical marijuana businesses in Colorado in the first sign that a coordinated offensive against the industry that started in
California is expanding.

A law enforcement official tells the associated press that such an enforcement action is under consideration for early next year in Colorado. the official spoke on condition of anonymity..."
(KKCO)

(Read more?  Click title. Comment to discuss) 

SandBox Comments: Steamboat Today "Judge dismisses medical marijuana case against Aurora doctor"

"The Arapahoe County district attorney’s office declined to comment on the most recent dismissal, saying it has not yet decided whether to appeal.

Attorney Lauren Davis, who represented Aquino-Villaman, said both cases show a hostility toward medical marijuana by prosecutors in the 18th Judicial District, which includes Arapahoe County.

To read the full story, click here."
(via Steamboat Today)

SandBox Comments: Glenwood Springs Post Independent "Edgar preliminary hearing set for Feb. 14"

"GLENWOOD SPRINGS, Colorado — Ninth Judicial District Judge James Boyd set a preliminary hearing for Feb. 14 in the felony drug case against medical marijuana dispensary owner David M. Edgar of Basalt.

Edgar is accused of selling medical marijuana and cocaine illegally from his dispensary in Carbondale to undercover agents of the Two Rivers Drug Enforcement Task Force (TRIDENT). He faces eight felony charges...."

(Post Independent)

There have been an increasing number of troubling news stories over the past month or so on the medical marijuana industry here in Colorado.

An increasing number of busts for violations, a growing panic amongst dispensary and grower businesses who cannot gain access to the most fundamental needs of a small business such as banking ability, and a growing trend in government to either hold up in delays or flag applications.

Read the next three posts today on SandBox. 

It  looks like that Fed crackdown is on its way.

(Read more?  Click title. Comment to discuss)

SandBox Comments: Grand Junction Daily Sentinel "Powderhorn opens"

A 35" base on opening day.

And the Aspen Skico is bragging about covering up 24" size rocks...

"Jim Giese’s snow surveillance began pre-Thanksgiving.

It was then that Giese began checking Powderhorn Mountain Resort’s webcam — often — to get a live look at what ski conditions would be like when mid-December arrived and Powderhorn opened.
On Thursday, the De Beque man got his answer.

Nearly 24 hours after the ski area circulated a photograph showing more than one foot of snow piled on its picnic tables, Giese, 51, joined others in taking the first turns of the season on Powderhorn’s 35-inch base.

“It’s midseason snow on opening day,” Giese said while breaking for lunch with some friends. “I’m wore out.”

Giese went on three runs before he took a timeout on the remodeled Sunset Grille & Bar deck...."
( Melinda Mawdsley)

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SandBox Comments: Summit Daily News "Vail Resorts touts success of EpicMix"

"BROOMFIELD — The second generation of Vail Resorts' EpicMix program has already resulted in more than 280,000 posts on Facebook and Twitter, exceeding the total number of social posts from all of last season ,with more than half of this year's posts including photos.

Based on Facebook's estimate of 130 friends per account holder, EpicMix has already generated more than 36 million social impressions this season. Additionally, guest activations are already up by just under 40 percent only 5 percent of the way through the season.

On Tuesday, Vail Resorts announced three new additions to EpicMix. More enhancements are expected to be added later this season...."
(Summit Daily)

(Read about the new enhancements to EpicMix?  Click title.)

SandBox Comments: MSNBC Power Wall "Say Cheese: Awkward Political Family Photos"

(Love the socks on former President George Herbert Walker Bush.....) 

Photo Credit:  MSNBC Power Wall

December 15, 2011

SandBox Comments: KREX News 5 "Authorities Arrest Alleged Meth Dealer "Old Man Charlie""

"After months of surveillance, the Western Slope Drug Task Force has arrested an alleged meth dealer dubbed "Old Man Charlie." Ronald Charles Arnett was arrested Tuesday at his home off of D½ and 33 Roads. According to and arrest affidavit, officers had been watching the home for a few months and stopping vehicles leaving it...."
(KREX)
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SandBox Comments: KREX News 5 "Number of DUI Cases Dismissed Because of Trooper Bias Grows"

"....According to District Attorney Pete Hautzinger, the number dismissed cases has continued increase during the last week. He says he expects the number of dismissed cases to increase just a little more.

This is an example of what's called a Brady violation. It's where a law enforcement officer is found to have not investigated a case properly. DA Hautzinger said this is the biggest Brady violation case in recent Mesa County history because of the sheer number of cases Trooper Moseman was involved in...."
(KREX)

(Read more?  Watch the video interview?  Click title.  Comment to discuss)

SandBox Comments: Glenwood Springs Post Independent Double chase, double crash and a burglary lands GJ man in jail"

Once again, the Garfield County Sheriff's Dept. K9 Officers go above and beyond.

See related story here.

"RIFLE, Colorado — A Grand Junction man led sheriff's deputies on two separate car chases, with a burglary in between, before they captured him at 1 a.m. on Saturday, Dec. 10, according to a report issued by the Garfield County Sheriff's Department.

Jason Allen Lewis, 28, faces charges of auto theft, eluding, reckless driving, hit and run, trespass, burglary, theft, criminal mischief and driving without a valid license...."
(Glenwood Springs Post Independent)

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