Barefoot Mastermind

Three hundred, eighty-five thousand people have visited Body Worlds Two in Denver, the city broke all North American venue attendance records.



On the second day of the lecture, nearly 200 people crowded the entrance to the theater, an hour before the doors opened to the Imax where Dr. Gunther Von Hagens, creator of Body Worlds Two spoke on Friday,



Hagens is the mastermind behind the preservation of human bodies, his new technique, plastination, allows students of medicine to study the body without having to rely on cadavers and formaldehyde.



There has been controversy over the display of real human bodies at the Denver Museum of Nature and Science, but the city was not the first to raise comment about the morality of people and children in the exhibit.



Hagens stood at the base of a theater packed with eager listeners; his customary black cap accompanied him behind the podium where he stood barefoot. His thick dialect flooded the room, demanding good listening skills to catch his witty humor.



In thick accent, Hagens described plastination as a complicated process that requires 1500 labor hours, more than $40,000 and an entire year to complete. Unlike traditional preservation in formaldehyde, which decays over time, plastination provides permanence previously impossible.



The plastinates are sturdy and somewhat pliable, they lack the undesirable smell of preservation chemicals as well, making them a welcome study aid for universities. Hagens plans to make plastinates available for study in the future.



Designed to celebrate life, the exhibit contains only subjects who’s bodies have been donated for the purpose of plastination. It includes child and infant subjects as well, sparking controversy in many parts of the world.



Body Worlds began in Germany where, according to Hagens, only two percent of people opposed the exhibition. In Japan, six percent were against the bodies. He referred to the press as a separate entity whose opposition ran 50/50.



Hagens was comfortable in front of the crowd, he showed shocking pictures on the screen and explained what would stun most people without hesitation. For 28 years Hagens has been working on plastination, he is leading the scientific world in anatomical studies and has every right to be at ease behind the podium.



When asked, Hagens said that he would donate his own body to be preserved with plastination, but for now he is working to preserve an elephant and bring plastinates into universities.



What could inspire a man to choose this profession? During the Q&A Hagens credited the life choice to “150 years of Freud.” Everyone in the room got the glimmer of humor from the barefoot-mastermind before them.

Old bar, new people

Though the smoky atmosphere, John the bartender will recognize you and know what you drink, he will have it poured by the time you sit down. If he knows you, your favorite drink will be ready by the time you say 'hello.'

If you drive too fast you may miss the old neon sign that flickers "Don's Mixed Drinks;" the bar between Clarkson and Washington on 6th avenue in Denver that celebrates its 60 year anniversary on June 20, 2006.

The first impression is of a smoky, rustic dive bar, the pint-sized shuffle board, the pinball machine and pictures on the wall of patrons past remind everyone just how long Don's has been pouring booze.

Sentimental pictures on the wall show character, the old photography portrays the intimate history of the bar whose longevity relies on those people to return.

The smell of vintage tuck-and-roll vinyl mixes with the booze, as you order another cocktail and spy the old operational telephone booth in the back that hints of the nostalgic essence of the bar over the new music on the juke box.

Johnny rolls his eyes as two patrons make barnyard noises in the background.

"We won't kick you out for making animal noises at the bar," he said with a smile, odd behavior is accepted, even expected at Don's.

Besides the neon sign out front and word of mouth, there is little advertising, yet the bar fills every night with regular and newcomer alike.

Guest bartenders are welcome to invite their friends some Tuesday nights, this keeps the crowd fresh and the service exciting.

A microcosm of the entire night at Don's is the Bus Bomb (shown before and after). This is a concoction similar to a car bomb, but bigger, and made in a pitcher! Half a pitcher of Guinness, three shots of Jamison and three shots of Bailey's Irish Liquor go down the hatch as quickly as possible, making this a one-per-visit kind of drink.

Before Bus Bomb:




After Bus Bomb:

Don's Mixed Drinks will continue to thrive for years to come with the thirsty patrons of the neighborhood coming back for more. It is worth the cab ride out of downtown to make sure you don't miss Don's. It dosn't stick out obnoxiously in the street like some bars, so don't blink, you might drive right past!

Peaceful protestors filled the streets

They planned for 50,000 people; they got 75,000 enough to fill Red Rocks Amphitheater seven and a half times.

Immigration issues have become the main topic of discussion from the classroom to the workplace to the bar.

While each side of the story has its own valid points, one thing is clear, something needs to be done.

The protest was peaceful; Denver cops reported no serious problems between protestors and their opposition.

It seems as though the view from legal immigrants and politicians alike is that if you come to our country, fall in, be an American. Coming into America and trying to change the national anthem is an insult to citizens and legal immigrants alike.

President Bush even agrees that re-writing our national anthem is like Americans trying to cross into Canada and rewrite their anthem, it's just rude.

If these immigration marches happened anywhere else, illegal immigrants would likely be forced out without remorse, but that is the beauty of this country, it was founded by immigrants. There is room for more as long as they make responsible contributions to the economy and culture.

High tech pedestrian mall

The 16th Street Mall went Wi-fi Monday, May 1st, making it as easy to surf the web as it is to window-shop.

Until now, Denver wireless internet users had to pay for connection services at Starbucks and Kinkos locations, now anywhere along the stretch of the 16th street mall, you can uplink for free.

Tiny antennas along the mall from the Civic Center station to the Union Station help users connect to the network called the Downtown Wi-fi Zone.

Connectivity is intended for outside use including Skyline park on Arapahoe. Some parked cars on the mall's cross streets also receive the signal.

The Downtown Denver Partnership offers the free service, giving Denver a technological edge that is desirable to tourists and residents alike.

Who makes the show go?

They sound like referees talking about a football game after the night is over, when the stage comes down the guys that make the show are still analyzing the fine points. The people that make the show go take their job seriously; they are the air-traffic control of a kamikaze concert. Hours after the show is over, they load cases into trucks.

"The hours are brutal, and the work is tedious, but it is the people that make it worth-while," says Pat Dickinson, Union Steward for the Fillmore. He has met more rock stars in the past week than most people ever do.

Right: Dickinson rolls road cases
from the stage to the truck.


Hours before the doors open, the crew and the engineers work hard to make sure the bands play without a hitch. If you have ever been to a show where the sounds or the lights go out there is a person who scrambles to get it back. If this person does not lose his or her job, there is someone breathing down his neck until they solve the problem.

Problems are rare on the scene because preparation is extensive. First on the set is the sound crew, at most shows, they stack and raise the PA. This speaker system is controlled from a mixing board in the middle of the room, and blasts the audience during the show. The sound crew also sets up the on-stage speakers, called monitors that allow each musician to hear the other. This system is controlled from a mixing board on either side of the stage. Each system requires its own engineer and is checked and re-checked before the doors open to the public.

The lighting crew arranges the light truss and raise high powered spotlights above the audience and stage. The lighting engineer programs each light for a separate motion to create rolling effects or set the mood.
between bands, the stage crew replaces one band's equipment with the next band's gear. The sound board must be patched over for each different set. Each band has different set lights as well so the sound guy and the lighting tech all have something to do while the house music plays between sets.

At the end of the night, all of the crew has to clean up after the bands. (Famous bands don't move their own gear.) Often this process, called loading out lasts for hours, but there is still no job they'd rather do.



The applause can last minutes after the show; it would be nice to think that some of that appreciation is for the people who ensure the show.

Left: Jay Sayler and Pat Dickinson move more cases at 1 a.m.

For the shaken

No matter what city you visit across America, you'll find them high and low, strip clubs are entertain everywhere.

Some are classy and some are not, some are downright wrong, but there are a few worth going to.

Portland Oregon is known to have the most strip clubs anywhere, but Atlanta Georgia could compete closely, some of the most far out stuff is in the Deep South.

Denver has its fair share, a variety of different clubs sprinkle the city. From the Oasis up north, to Shotgun Willie's and the Penthouse club down south, Denver has something for everyone.

La Boheme, in downtown Denver is a walk from the 15th Street Tavern and a cab ride from the Pepsi Center. There is a private VIP lounge in the back and three main tables are the main attraction. It is a typical club with plenty of girls, but La Boheme offers a decent menu as well.

The Penthouse Club, S. Colorado Blvd, is a classy club, their VIP is upstairs and there are more tables with poles. The menu is incredible, gourmet steaks and seafood plates, served at tables with a clear view of the whole floor.

Bachelor party or just a night out with the guys, there are plenty of entertainment options to choose from. The best loop starts with the Penthouse Club, moves to Shotgun Willies right across the street, then up to the Diamond Cabaret in Downtown, across the way from La Boheme who seems to have the latest last call.

Where is the satire?

Another dive on the E. Colfax route offers shots 'til close and a stern hand at closing time. The barmaids will pour shots until 1:59 a.m., and the owner will force you out one minute later.

That is the law in Colorado, no alcohol after 2 a.m.. Violations of the law bring closure to bars, so they want to make sure that every last drop is down the hatch before anyone turns into a pumpkin.

The satire lounge on Colfax near Pete's Kitchen serves Mexican food until 10 p.m. in a fitting environment. The stucco walls in the dining area remind patrons of typical Central American architecture.

After the other bars have forced out all of their patrons, there is still time to drive to the satire for one last slurp.

Sleep in

Besides the corporate breakfast places that litter the highways and suburbs, the first meal of the day can be evasive.

So many breakfast places serve only until 2 p.m., others serve a limited menu until 5 p.m..

The Snooze a.m. Eatery is new on the corner of 23rd and Larimer Sts. in Denver. Sam's No. 3 serves breakfast all day, but you have to get in line early for Lucile's on 275 S. Logan, otherwise you just don't eat.

Charlie Brown's serves late breakfast on the weekends, they are located on 10th and Grant. Watercourse Foods on 13th and Sherman Sts. also serves late weekend breakfast.

There are places to go after a late morning in Denver, but they require some seeking out. If waiting for a table isn't your style, try Charlie Brown's. If the crack of dawn is your cup of coffee then head for Lucile's, for some flavor.

The P.S. Lounge

This low-profile lounge on the east end of Greek town defies the expectation of an east Colfax watering hole.

Patsy Cline and Frank Sinatra are common choices on the juke box, and every girl gets a rose from the owner, Pete who is himself, quite the lady's man.

A life-size picture of Marilyn Monroe and a similar one of Elvis begin a long wall of fame that share pictures of celebrities and patrons alike.

Guest bartenders can keep their tips on Sundays and Wednesdays after working behind the cash-only bar.

House shots go 'round the room and Pete is generous when it comes to buying a round, he never lets his patrons go thirsty.

Enzo's End pizza is next door and the barkeep will call and order a pie while keeping the drinks fresh. The pizza is incredible and doesn't require a cash payment; the guys from Enzo's will charge it to the plastic so there's more cash for the booze.

If you're a local there's no excuse for missing the P.S. Lounge. Regulars and travelers alike share stories of the P.S. far and wide.

Ride the What?

RTD has attracted a lot of media coverage lately, between the strikes and the rising rates. Still, the trains only run half of the time north of 18th Street in Denver.

It is interesting to note where the light rail serves. There are more people per capita up north in Thornton than there are in Highlands Ranch, but the train does not go past 30th and Downing Streets in Five-Points.

The final station on Downing St. Is irregularly patrolled, but crime rates along the Welton line have been high for years. From homicides to auto theft and assault, Five Points and the Downing St. Station are frequently mentioned on the nightly news.

It is hard to blame the Union workers for not liking the 30th and Downing station, the trains are frequently abused, left messy with tags and litter.

Why then did RTD decide to install nice padded seats in the trains? Places like New York and London have metal or plastic seating for a reason: it's cheaper and easier to maintain, not to mention it is cleaner.

Someday the light rail will reach Thornton, Arvada and even Fort Collins, but by that time, the running cars may not have the luxurious seats they do now.

The Walnut Room

The Walnut Room on 31st and Walnut Streets in Denver is just far enough from downtown to find parking, and close enough to catch happy hour and pizza after work.

The building is new and houses more than just a bar, the Walnut Room has live music most nights in a well-insulated back room.

The back room was built with up-to-date sound equipment, and enough sound insulation to separate the music room from the main bar. The Music room is dark and classy with a bar of its own and tables and a couch for lounging.

There are practice rooms available for rent in the back, but get on the waiting list, they filled up fast after the place opened. Each room is insulated from the next and has thick insulated doors as well.

Paulie and Howard serve up the drinks in the main bar where the bass from the music room can be felt. Two television sets entertain the bar, and the pizza is incredible; there is an option to build your own pie.

With its diverse environment and a few entertaining regulars the Walnut Room is a great watering hole and a good place to meet people.

City Council meeting

The Denver City Council gave final approval Monday for an ordinance that promotes an agreement between the City and County of Denver and the State of Colorado concerning the "HAVA Compliant Voting System" program. HAVA is the Help America Vote Act of 2002. The proposed bill allocates $1.4 million for the update, addition, and maintenance of 240 new electronic voting machines.

The controversy over electronic voting is that while it ensures the rights of some, it inhibits the voice of others. Electronic voting has invoked accuracy concerns regarding vote counting, the most notable of which occurred in 2004 when votes in many states were miscounted. The main concerns involving electronic voting revolve around lost votes. To the general public, this means that their voices are not being heard.

"Nothing in our democracy is as important as voting, and having that vote count," said city council member Kathleen MacKenzie who supports the bill.

There are problems with the bill that range from finances to inaccuracy and unsecured counting techniques. The electronic voting machines that the city already has are not yet paid off. Former city council member Jeff Cahoon said that cautioned against the purchase of these machines saying that we would be replacing the paper ballot system with one that is “susceptible to flaw and abuse.”

“There is no computer system that cannot be overcome,” said speaker Timothy Eme, an independent software consultant for the Federal Government. MacKenzie then pointed out that it would be just as easy to interfere with a paper ballot count.

The advantage to the electronic voting system is that it allows the disabled to vote privately. Speaker Faith Gross represents people with disabilities; she says that “they have the right to vote independently and privately.” The electronic voting system allows blind people and those with dexterity disabilities to vote without outside assistance.

“There are four main concerns about the voting system, it must be secure, accurate, recountable, and accessible,” said Bonnie Clark who warned the council about the reliability standards of the machines. The electronic voting machines have a much higher margin of error than paper ballots.

Software creator Jeff Cook showed his skepticism about the system by telling the council that “Germany uses paper ballots.” He said that the money should be spent on enabling the disabled to vote and no more.

The city does not need to buy all 240 electronic voting machines; Denver will not receive or have to pay back the money it does not use. It is possible for Denver to allocate funds only for helping the disabled. Mail ballots are gaining popularity and, as Council President Rosemary E. Rodriguez believes, mail ballots will be preferred in the future.

“The most important thing is that we have accurate, verifiable elections,” said Cook, “in case of a recount, we need paper ballots.”