Do you sincerely want to be Denver's next Mayor?
I just sent this email to KOA Radio's Mike Rosen in response to his email to me when he got my email yesterday (see yesterday's post here, below) that includes a link to the radio interview with Mayor J-Hic that's in question:
In a message dated 3/29/2007 12:40:24 P.M. Mountain Daylight Time, MikeRosen@850koa.com writes:
So it was you who called and harangued Hick about the art museum.
Indeed.
You sounded angry, irrational and petty. The mayor isn't responsible for running the art museum, the bond issue or for leaks in the roof. I'd say the same thing if the mayor were a Republican (which is virtually an impossibility in Denver).
I agree that my call was sub-par. But if the Mayor isn't responsible for the DAM's $59 million city-debt, who is? He approved the final decision to go ahead with the project, it was one of his first official acts.
Just as he bears final responsibility for last fall's election fiasco, he bears final responsibility for the poor construction that was allowed and the problems that is causing now. It is my understanding the contract that he approved was poorly drafted and the contract is trying to wiggle out of making the massive needed repairs. The contractors inspector was afraid of heights and she inspected the welds
on the roof with binoculars!
Given the practical alternatives, Hick is the best we, as Republicans, can hope to get in Denver. Perhaps I should know better than to expect practicality from you. Grow up.
Seems to me there will be a mounting fury about the mayors poor performance as we move towards May 1. A strong write in candidate would have a great chance of winning if it was done in the middle of an Anyone but J-Hic campaign. We'll be brainstorming the idea at my weekly IDEA Cafe meeting this afternoon at 2 p.m. at Panera Bread, 13th & Grant. Would you join us? Would you invite your listers to RSVP at http://ideacafe.meetup.com/1 ?
One of the ideas I'm considering is selling a special report and or a short seminar,
"How to run for Denver Mayor as a write-in candidate." Would you have someone from KOA contact me about advertising it on your show?
By the way, did you see the news release the DAM made Tuesday about the massive layoffs? I may have missed it, but I didn't see the release reported in any of the local media. Why not? Seems everyone is trying to get out front and serve Mayor J-Hic now that he seems assured of victory. Are you on his campaign team? Sure seemed like it on the call I made last Friday.
John
Here's the release from last Tuesday made by the DAM:
For Immediate Release
Contact: Andrea Fulton
720-913-0116 Pager: 303-640-0991
Denver Art Museum Undergoing Mid-Year Evaluation
Staffing and Other Operations Likely to Change
The Denver Art Museum announced today it is reassessing its operations, including staffing, following the opening of the Frederic C. Hamilton Building in October 2006. Museum officials conducted a planned six-month evaluation of the institution’s performance needs for the new campus, and have determined that some changes will be necessary in the near future.
The Museum increased operations to an unprecedented level to carry out the opening of the Hamilton Building last fall. After the first six months of operation, the DAM is making adjustments to better suit visitor needs and the future program. Some staff attrition of contract employees brought on for visitor ticketing and front-line services has already taken place.
As part of its move to adjust staff to a more appropriate level, the Museum offered a voluntary resignation option last week. Staff members taking this option will receive an extended compensation package. The results of that offer will not be known until next week, at which time, further staff evaluation will take place as necessary.
“The Museum has undergone a dramatic change in the last year,” said Museum director Lewis Sharp. “We staffed up greatly for the opening and now we are assessing our future needs and making changes to ensure efficient, successful operation in the years to come.”
The Museum is on track to achieve its best attendance in more than 30 years and despite the harsh winter, particularly over the holiday period, overall attendance has remained healthy. An early goal of 750,000 to one million visitors was predicted by the museum in 2004 and it hopes to reach that range by the end of its fiscal year in late September. To date, more than 350,000 people have visited the Museum complex since it opened last fall. However, the Museum estimates that extreme winter weather kept more than 50,000 visitors away, causing lower holiday revenues than expected.
# # #
How could Mayor J-Hic possibly have not known about this?
-------------------------------------------------------------------
My friend Dmitry made a very good observation about all this (see his comment to yesterday's post below).
An Anyone but J-Hic campaign probably doesn't make much since unless a real, substantial, electable candidate emerges quickly that the GOP and others (like Mike Rosen) could really get behind. How about you? If you are interested, please email me at JohnSWren@aol.com.
Friday, March 30, 2007
Thursday, March 29, 2007
I just sent out this email:
((Please forward along to anyone on your email list
who cares about Denver. Thanks! John))
Starting something new?
Join us for the IDEA Cafe this Friday, 2 p.m.
We now meet every week. RSVP at
http://ideacafe.meetup.com/1
This week we'll brainstorm how to best run a write-in
campaign for Mayor (see letter below.)
Dear Friend,
I believe we need to start an Internet campaign to recruit write-in candidates for Mayor of Denver.
Have you read The Long Tail? The Internet has changed the distribution of sales per item, so that best-sellers are now outsold by the combined sales of the long tail of
all the other items. See http://longtail.typepad.com/
If we get enought people encouraging friends and neighbors to write them in for Mayor, I think that long tail could force a run-off election and we could free ourselves from J-Hic.
Here's what started me thinking about this:
A couple of days ago I floated the idea of an "Anyone but J-Hic" campaign. This
was triggered by Mayor John's arrogance or ignorance on the Mike Rosen show
last Friday when I called in and asked him about the problems with the
Denver Art Museum. You can listen to the March 23 show at
http://www.850koa.com/cc-common/podcast/single_podcast.html?podcast=shows_rosen.xml
In the interview the Mayor gives the impression that attendance and everything else at the DAM is just fine. He is either totally uninformed or a liar, and I'm not sure which is worse!
On March 23 a staff meeting was held at the DAM announcing massive layoffs because
of the very poor attendance and the construction problems which have created an
additional $3million loss since the opening of the new addition.
I sent out a couple of emails about this idea of an Anyone but J-Hic to a few friends and a copy got to Fred Brown at the Denver Post. He called me and told me he'll be writing about it in Sunday's paper. Here's a copy of his email to me:
I left a message on your phone. I'm thinking about writing about your ABJH campaign for this coming Sunday. But I seem to have lost the first e-mail -- the one about problems at the DAM addition. Could your resend it? Thanks.
Fred Brown
We will be discussing the ABJH at the IDEA Cafe this Friday, and brainstorming ways someone could become Mayor of Denver through a write-in campaign as word about the Mayor's performance on the Rosen show spreads. (listen to it now by clicking on the above link.)
Lot's of people are dissatisfied with the performance of the Mayor, but the media love-fest with him has allowed him to skate around that dissatisfaction. But the fact is he was responsible for the poor job done last fall with the elections, the poor job done with snow removal, the poor job being done with the homeless, the poor job being done with the jail and the new Justice Center.
Then here in this morning's paper is another reason to mount a campaign to energize
Denver voters:
Another Denver election glitch
By The Denver Post Editorial Board
Article Last Updated: 03/28/2007 08:05:26 PM MDT
Perhaps it's time for Denver civic leaders to take to the airwaves with a message targeting citizens who might miss the May 1 city election.
More than 100,000 Denver residents have been classified as "inactive" voters because they didn't vote in the November or January elections. That doesn't mean they can't vote in the May election - but it does mean they won't receive ballots for the all-mail election unless they request them.
http://www.denverpost.com/opinion/ci_5542194
Also in this morning's Post is this, documenting the decline of
what was once our beautiful city:
Letter to the Editor in the Denver Post this morning,
talking about the graffiti problem and general condition of the city:
It (Denver) has gotten worse over the past four or five years, and the city is looking more run-down in general.
J.B. Reed, Denver
http://www.denverpost.com/letters
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Here is the email I sent out to friends on Monday that got this all started:
Hi Hugh, John, Walt, Tom, Tim, Mary,
and members of the New Denver Republican Meetup--
Would you or someone you know like to be Denver's next Mayor?
There are big, big problems in Denver that are not being discussed.
Here is just one example:
I called in to the Mike Rosen show Friday when Mayor J-Hic was a guest. I asked him what he thought about all the problems at the Denver Art Museum. He said on the air that there are no problems, that attendance is ahead of projections, and that there are just some minor leaks around the skylights, no big problem with the roof.
I have a friend who works for the DAM (the DAM staff calls it Dan's Architectural Misfire) and he said that there was a staff meeting Friday announcing massive staff cuts because they are an additional $3 million in the red since the opening of the new addition because of the very, very poor attendance and all the problems with the construction. The ice damage to the roof is so profound it may have to be torn off and replaced, the marble floor is coming apart, etc.
J-Hic is either a liar of totally naive, I'm not sure which is worse.
What do you think about raising money for a write-in campaign like they had in California? Did you see the Jay Leno show where all the candidates were invited?
Here's the ballot for the May election in Denver:
Click here: http://www.denvergov.org/Portals/564/documents/Official%20May%201%202007%20General%20Municipal%20Ballot.doc
What do you think of this idea? Let's start an "Anyone but J-Hic" campaign to encourage write-in campaigns for Mayor. Every write-in vote would be a vote taken away from J-Hic, might allow GOP in Denver to unite behind one write-in candidate (you?) and win or at least force a run-off. I think this is what happened with Schwarzenegger in CA after the recall was successful.
Please let me know what you think of this via return email to me, and please forward this along to anyone else you know who might be interested.
John
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
I got several encouraging responses to the small batch of emails. Here is a sample with my response:
Even if a recall isn't successful, it could have the effect of alerting
people to alternatives.
How can I help?
My response:
Right now you could write a letter to the editor of the Denver Post and Rocky Mountain News, call into radio talk shows and talk up the idea, and RSVP to join us at the next New Denver Republican Meetup, making comments about the write-in effort in your RSVP. http://republican.meetup.com/511
Also, please forward the email I sent you along to your online friends and associates, covering
it with your letter to the editor, encouraging them to consider running, campaigning for someone who decides to run, and also encouraging them to pass the email along!
Very glad you are with us in this. Together, we can get Denver back!
John Wren
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Please consider joining us for the IDEA Cafe this Friday where we will be brainstorming ways to make this Anyone but J-Hic idea into a reality over the next few days, or email me your thoughts and I'll share them at the meeting. To RSVP for the IDEA Cafe, go to http://ideacafe.meetup.com/1
Also, please forward this along to any of your friends who might be interested in helping.
This weekend I'll be talking with lots of people and making a decision about whether to go ahead with this full steam and make a formal announcement at a news conference.
Together we can get Denver back into the hands of competent leadership!
Thanks for your help!
John Wren
((Please forward along to anyone on your email list
who cares about Denver. Thanks! John))
Starting something new?
Join us for the IDEA Cafe this Friday, 2 p.m.
We now meet every week. RSVP at
http://ideacafe.meetup.com/1
This week we'll brainstorm how to best run a write-in
campaign for Mayor (see letter below.)
Dear Friend,
I believe we need to start an Internet campaign to recruit write-in candidates for Mayor of Denver.
Have you read The Long Tail? The Internet has changed the distribution of sales per item, so that best-sellers are now outsold by the combined sales of the long tail of
all the other items. See http://longtail.typepad.com/
If we get enought people encouraging friends and neighbors to write them in for Mayor, I think that long tail could force a run-off election and we could free ourselves from J-Hic.
Here's what started me thinking about this:
A couple of days ago I floated the idea of an "Anyone but J-Hic" campaign. This
was triggered by Mayor John's arrogance or ignorance on the Mike Rosen show
last Friday when I called in and asked him about the problems with the
Denver Art Museum. You can listen to the March 23 show at
http://www.850koa.com/cc-common/podcast/single_podcast.html?podcast=shows_rosen.xml
In the interview the Mayor gives the impression that attendance and everything else at the DAM is just fine. He is either totally uninformed or a liar, and I'm not sure which is worse!
On March 23 a staff meeting was held at the DAM announcing massive layoffs because
of the very poor attendance and the construction problems which have created an
additional $3million loss since the opening of the new addition.
I sent out a couple of emails about this idea of an Anyone but J-Hic to a few friends and a copy got to Fred Brown at the Denver Post. He called me and told me he'll be writing about it in Sunday's paper. Here's a copy of his email to me:
I left a message on your phone. I'm thinking about writing about your ABJH campaign for this coming Sunday. But I seem to have lost the first e-mail -- the one about problems at the DAM addition. Could your resend it? Thanks.
Fred Brown
We will be discussing the ABJH at the IDEA Cafe this Friday, and brainstorming ways someone could become Mayor of Denver through a write-in campaign as word about the Mayor's performance on the Rosen show spreads. (listen to it now by clicking on the above link.)
Lot's of people are dissatisfied with the performance of the Mayor, but the media love-fest with him has allowed him to skate around that dissatisfaction. But the fact is he was responsible for the poor job done last fall with the elections, the poor job done with snow removal, the poor job being done with the homeless, the poor job being done with the jail and the new Justice Center.
Then here in this morning's paper is another reason to mount a campaign to energize
Denver voters:
Another Denver election glitch
By The Denver Post Editorial Board
Article Last Updated: 03/28/2007 08:05:26 PM MDT
Perhaps it's time for Denver civic leaders to take to the airwaves with a message targeting citizens who might miss the May 1 city election.
More than 100,000 Denver residents have been classified as "inactive" voters because they didn't vote in the November or January elections. That doesn't mean they can't vote in the May election - but it does mean they won't receive ballots for the all-mail election unless they request them.
http://www.denverpost.com/opinion/ci_5542194
Also in this morning's Post is this, documenting the decline of
what was once our beautiful city:
Letter to the Editor in the Denver Post this morning,
talking about the graffiti problem and general condition of the city:
It (Denver) has gotten worse over the past four or five years, and the city is looking more run-down in general.
J.B. Reed, Denver
http://www.denverpost.com/letters
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Here is the email I sent out to friends on Monday that got this all started:
Hi Hugh, John, Walt, Tom, Tim, Mary,
and members of the New Denver Republican Meetup--
Would you or someone you know like to be Denver's next Mayor?
There are big, big problems in Denver that are not being discussed.
Here is just one example:
I called in to the Mike Rosen show Friday when Mayor J-Hic was a guest. I asked him what he thought about all the problems at the Denver Art Museum. He said on the air that there are no problems, that attendance is ahead of projections, and that there are just some minor leaks around the skylights, no big problem with the roof.
I have a friend who works for the DAM (the DAM staff calls it Dan's Architectural Misfire) and he said that there was a staff meeting Friday announcing massive staff cuts because they are an additional $3 million in the red since the opening of the new addition because of the very, very poor attendance and all the problems with the construction. The ice damage to the roof is so profound it may have to be torn off and replaced, the marble floor is coming apart, etc.
J-Hic is either a liar of totally naive, I'm not sure which is worse.
What do you think about raising money for a write-in campaign like they had in California? Did you see the Jay Leno show where all the candidates were invited?
Here's the ballot for the May election in Denver:
Click here: http://www.denvergov.org/Portals/564/documents/Official%20May%201%202007%20General%20Municipal%20Ballot.doc
What do you think of this idea? Let's start an "Anyone but J-Hic" campaign to encourage write-in campaigns for Mayor. Every write-in vote would be a vote taken away from J-Hic, might allow GOP in Denver to unite behind one write-in candidate (you?) and win or at least force a run-off. I think this is what happened with Schwarzenegger in CA after the recall was successful.
Please let me know what you think of this via return email to me, and please forward this along to anyone else you know who might be interested.
John
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
I got several encouraging responses to the small batch of emails. Here is a sample with my response:
Even if a recall isn't successful, it could have the effect of alerting
people to alternatives.
How can I help?
My response:
Right now you could write a letter to the editor of the Denver Post and Rocky Mountain News, call into radio talk shows and talk up the idea, and RSVP to join us at the next New Denver Republican Meetup, making comments about the write-in effort in your RSVP. http://republican.meetup.com/511
Also, please forward the email I sent you along to your online friends and associates, covering
it with your letter to the editor, encouraging them to consider running, campaigning for someone who decides to run, and also encouraging them to pass the email along!
Very glad you are with us in this. Together, we can get Denver back!
John Wren
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Please consider joining us for the IDEA Cafe this Friday where we will be brainstorming ways to make this Anyone but J-Hic idea into a reality over the next few days, or email me your thoughts and I'll share them at the meeting. To RSVP for the IDEA Cafe, go to http://ideacafe.meetup.com/1
Also, please forward this along to any of your friends who might be interested in helping.
This weekend I'll be talking with lots of people and making a decision about whether to go ahead with this full steam and make a formal announcement at a news conference.
Together we can get Denver back into the hands of competent leadership!
Thanks for your help!
John Wren
Monday, March 26, 2007
I just sent this letter to some of my GOP friends:
Would you or someone you know like to be Denver's next Mayor?
There are big, big problems in Denver that are not being discussed.
Here is just one example:
I called in to the Mike Rosen show Friday when Mayor J-Hic was a guest. I asked him what he thought about all the problems at the Denver Art Museum. He said on the air that there are no problems, that attendance is ahead of projections, and that there are just some minor leaks around the skylights, no big problem with the roof.
I have a friend who works for the DAM (the DAM staff calls it Dan's Architectural Misfire) and he said that there was a staff meeting Friday announcing massive staff cuts because they are an additional $3 million in the red since the opening of the new addition because of the very, very poor attendance and all the problems with the construction. The ice damage to the roof is so profound it may have to be torn off and replaced, the marble floor is coming apart, etc.
J-Hic is either a liar of totally naive, I'm not sure which is worse.
What do you think about raising money for a write-in campaign like they had in California? Did you see the Jay Leno show where all the candidates were invited?
Here's the ballot for the May election in Denver:
Click here: http://www.denvergov.org/Portals/564/documents/Official%20May%201%202007%20General%20Municipal%20Ballot.doc
What do you think of this idea? Let's start an "Anyone but J-Hic" campaign to encourage write-in campaigns for Mayor. Every write-in vote would be a vote taken away from J-Hic, might allow GOP in Denver to unite behind one write-in candidate (you?) and win or at least force a run-off. I think this is what happened with Schwarzenegger in CA after the recall was successful.
Please let me know what you think of this via return email to me, and please forward this along to anyone else you know who might be interested.
Would you or someone you know like to be Denver's next Mayor?
There are big, big problems in Denver that are not being discussed.
Here is just one example:
I called in to the Mike Rosen show Friday when Mayor J-Hic was a guest. I asked him what he thought about all the problems at the Denver Art Museum. He said on the air that there are no problems, that attendance is ahead of projections, and that there are just some minor leaks around the skylights, no big problem with the roof.
I have a friend who works for the DAM (the DAM staff calls it Dan's Architectural Misfire) and he said that there was a staff meeting Friday announcing massive staff cuts because they are an additional $3 million in the red since the opening of the new addition because of the very, very poor attendance and all the problems with the construction. The ice damage to the roof is so profound it may have to be torn off and replaced, the marble floor is coming apart, etc.
J-Hic is either a liar of totally naive, I'm not sure which is worse.
What do you think about raising money for a write-in campaign like they had in California? Did you see the Jay Leno show where all the candidates were invited?
Here's the ballot for the May election in Denver:
Click here: http://www.denvergov.org/Portals/564/documents/Official%20May%201%202007%20General%20Municipal%20Ballot.doc
What do you think of this idea? Let's start an "Anyone but J-Hic" campaign to encourage write-in campaigns for Mayor. Every write-in vote would be a vote taken away from J-Hic, might allow GOP in Denver to unite behind one write-in candidate (you?) and win or at least force a run-off. I think this is what happened with Schwarzenegger in CA after the recall was successful.
Please let me know what you think of this via return email to me, and please forward this along to anyone else you know who might be interested.
Monday, March 19, 2007
I'm revising my little booklet on startup Daring Mighty Things-- The Simplist Way to Start Your First (or Next) New Business.. Take at look at I'd be very interested in your comments about it.
Friday, March 09, 2007
What are you going to do tonight?
Mary and I want to help you answer that question!
Check out our new Denver When & Where Website.
Can you join us for The Perfect Party tomorrow? See above site
for details.
Post your comments, do you think this will help you
learn more and have more fun? What would make it
more helpful to you and others?
Would you do me a favor?
My meetup.com groups are now listed on the new
Denver Post Calendar, which allows comments from those who
attend meetings. If you've attended any of these in the
past, would you please make a positive comment to
encourage others to attend? (Email me any critical
comments!)
If you haven't attended yet, join us at our next meeting,
complete info on the Post Calendar. Just click the link.
2nd Monday (join us next Monday!) New Denver Republican Meetup
Let me know if you'd be willing to provide refreshments for Monday's meeting.
2nd Thursday Socrates Cafe Meetup
4th Friday Denver IDEA Cafe
Coloradans Billionairs
62. Charlie Ergen, 54, $10, EchoStar
93. Philip Anschutz, 67, $7.9, investments
488. John Ma lone, 66, $2, cable television
557. Pat Stryker, 50, $1.8, Stryker Corp.
664. (no photo available) James Leprino, 70, $1.5, cheese
754. Gary Magness, 53, $1.3, cable, investments
799. Thomas Bailey, 70, $1.2, mutual funds
799. Kenneth Tuchman, 47, $1.2, TeleTech
How many are reading Denver When & Where?
Mary and I want to help you answer that question!
Check out our new Denver When & Where Website.
Can you join us for The Perfect Party tomorrow? See above site
for details.
Post your comments, do you think this will help you
learn more and have more fun? What would make it
more helpful to you and others?
Would you do me a favor?
My meetup.com groups are now listed on the new
Denver Post Calendar, which allows comments from those who
attend meetings. If you've attended any of these in the
past, would you please make a positive comment to
encourage others to attend? (Email me any critical
comments!)
If you haven't attended yet, join us at our next meeting,
complete info on the Post Calendar. Just click the link.
2nd Monday (join us next Monday!) New Denver Republican Meetup
Let me know if you'd be willing to provide refreshments for Monday's meeting.
2nd Thursday Socrates Cafe Meetup
4th Friday Denver IDEA Cafe
Coloradans Billionairs
62. Charlie Ergen, 54, $10, EchoStar
93. Philip Anschutz, 67, $7.9, investments
488. John Ma lone, 66, $2, cable television
557. Pat Stryker, 50, $1.8, Stryker Corp.
664. (no photo available) James Leprino, 70, $1.5, cheese
754. Gary Magness, 53, $1.3, cable, investments
799. Thomas Bailey, 70, $1.2, mutual funds
799. Kenneth Tuchman, 47, $1.2, TeleTech
How many are reading Denver When & Where?
Thursday, March 08, 2007
The front page story in the Denver Post today tells about a mixed up idea being put forward to create a Presidential primary election in Colorado separate from our wonderful neighborhood caucus. I just sent this letter to the newspapers in response:
It's being suggested that we have a Presidential primary election in 2008,
followed by our neighborhood caucuses across the state a few weeks later.
This is a bad idea. In Iowa Presidential candidates spend about $40 per
caucus attendee, it would similar here in Colorado if our caucus system
was given the same TLC the Iowa system receives from the Iowa media,
civic leaders, and the major political parties. Instead, we get a stream of
these efforts at reform where none is needed.
Nothing would weaken our caucus system more than splitting it off from
the Presidential race. People who are against this misguided change
should speak out now.
John Wren
960 Grant St. #727
Denver, CO 80203
cell 720-495-4949
It's being suggested that we have a Presidential primary election in 2008,
followed by our neighborhood caucuses across the state a few weeks later.
This is a bad idea. In Iowa Presidential candidates spend about $40 per
caucus attendee, it would similar here in Colorado if our caucus system
was given the same TLC the Iowa system receives from the Iowa media,
civic leaders, and the major political parties. Instead, we get a stream of
these efforts at reform where none is needed.
Nothing would weaken our caucus system more than splitting it off from
the Presidential race. People who are against this misguided change
should speak out now.
John Wren
960 Grant St. #727
Denver, CO 80203
cell 720-495-4949
Tuesday, March 06, 2007
Ben Franklin: In Search of a Better World.Don’t miss this new exhibit at the Denver Museum of Natural History which opened last weekend and runs through May. In it, my hero Benjamin Franklin is shown to be one of American history’s unique personalities.
This exhibition was organized for Franklin’s 300th birthday in Philadelphia and is now touring the country. It examines his fascinating life as a scientist, inventor, diplomat, and how his central role in creating a new society continues to touch American life today. You are immersed Franklin’s world, and inspired by his ingenious problem-solving methods and commitment to looking at the world with a critical eye. Franklin’s own words narrate the exhibition, which was designed in the spirit of his curiosity, wit, and wisdom. There is lots of information about what I think was his best invention, the Junto or what we now call the Franklin Circle. To find out how to join or start a Franklin Circle today, see my website www.JohnWren.com.
I went to see it this past weekend, and it’s so good I’m repeating the visit later this week.
I just posted this comment in response to today’s Denver Post story on the homelessness survey that was just conducted. I think it is a comment Ben Franklin would have made:
Posted By: John Wren (06/03/2007 4:47:45 AM)
Comment: Did the reporter take a critical look at the raw data of this report? I've heard that a young person living with a friend or relative is counted as homeless, is that correct? Also, if the full detail of this survey is available online, why isn't a link provided in the story? And if the detail is not available online, why doesn't the reporter make that important fact known?
This exhibition was organized for Franklin’s 300th birthday in Philadelphia and is now touring the country. It examines his fascinating life as a scientist, inventor, diplomat, and how his central role in creating a new society continues to touch American life today. You are immersed Franklin’s world, and inspired by his ingenious problem-solving methods and commitment to looking at the world with a critical eye. Franklin’s own words narrate the exhibition, which was designed in the spirit of his curiosity, wit, and wisdom. There is lots of information about what I think was his best invention, the Junto or what we now call the Franklin Circle. To find out how to join or start a Franklin Circle today, see my website www.JohnWren.com.
I went to see it this past weekend, and it’s so good I’m repeating the visit later this week.
I just posted this comment in response to today’s Denver Post story on the homelessness survey that was just conducted. I think it is a comment Ben Franklin would have made:
Posted By: John Wren (06/03/2007 4:47:45 AM)
Comment: Did the reporter take a critical look at the raw data of this report? I've heard that a young person living with a friend or relative is counted as homeless, is that correct? Also, if the full detail of this survey is available online, why isn't a link provided in the story? And if the detail is not available online, why doesn't the reporter make that important fact known?
Sunday, March 04, 2007
Not retired, just 'retreaded'
At age 92, pastor has continued ministering
By MARY KIBLING
Concord Monitor
Some people love their work so much that they never really retire.
One of them is the Rev. Dr. Paul Klose, who is 92.
"When we moved to New Hampshire, we retreaded, not retired," he said.
Klose is a sort-of-retired Baptist clergyman. His wife of 61 years, Madelyn, is also an ordained minister. Their four children followed them into the church. Their son Clint has been the minister of music in a church in Franklin. He now teaches music at Beaver Meadow School in Concord. Their son Curt is the organist at a church in Longmeadow, Mass. Their daughter Cheryl assists her husband, the Rev. Charles Boucher, in Antrim, and their daughter Carol is an organist at a church in Montour Falls, N.Y.
The musicians in this family must have been inspired by their father, who plays the guitar and what he calls "honky tonk piano."
Since his retirement from parish ministry, Klose is often called back to churches he has served to substitute for an absent minister and to give a day to former parishioners who like to keep in touch with a beloved pastor.
Klose presents a lecture for seniors entitled "New Ways to Stay Home while Growing Old" at secular senior centers, churches and nursing homes.
"We'll go anywhere we're wanted," he said. "I like to use music with my lectures, fun songs I make up, like 'Who's Afraid of Growing Old' to the tune of 'Who's Afraid of the Big Bad Wolf.' And I like to include humor in my lectures. I read a lot of books on aging that have convinced me that laughter is the best medicine."
Norman Cousins has told the story of a man that doctors couldn't cure. His physician advised him to lighten up, to watch comedy movies. The patient claimed to have laughed himself well.
Klose recommends Art Linkletter's new book, How to Make the Rest of Your Life the Best of Your Life, co-authored with Mark Victor Hansen, as the best he's read on aging.
A slender man who moves more like 72 than 92, Klose says you have to exercise your body and your mind to age well. He and Madelyn take part in Tufts University's Strong Living program twice a week. He uses a treadmill at home, does chair exercises and eats "sensibly." Following retirement, he attended Laconia Technical School to receive a certificate in gerontology. He received a doctorate in theology from Northern Seminary in Chicago.
Since "retirement," Klose has been a volunteer chaplain at the St. Francis Healthcare Center in Laconia and at Hillsboro House Nursing Home in Hillsboro.
These days, besides the lecture series, he and Madelyn serve on the mission committee for the church that their son-in-law serves in Antrim. The mission committee is responsible for publicizing and gathering special offerings, four times a year, for home needs, a retired clergy fund and One Great Hour of Sharing.
Klose plays piano duets with his daughter Cheryl. He writes songs and is a poet. He includes his poetry at his lectures. Sometimes, the poems are thoughtful or philosophical; sometimes, they're whimsical. For instance: "When your hair starts to thin, and it slowly turns gray, / We can choose some other color or select a smart toupee."
I asked Klose how he feels about being old.
"Old," he said, "is a constant challenge. It can be very enjoyable. Seniors need to exercise, socialize, expand their minds, love and listen. There are so many needs to fill. Seniors can always helps someone else. The rewards are appreciation and additional years of health, activity, productivity and fulfillment.
"The joy of my ministry has been to encourage people, to challenge them and to love them," he said.
At age 92, pastor has continued ministering
By MARY KIBLING
Concord Monitor
Some people love their work so much that they never really retire.
One of them is the Rev. Dr. Paul Klose, who is 92.
"When we moved to New Hampshire, we retreaded, not retired," he said.
Klose is a sort-of-retired Baptist clergyman. His wife of 61 years, Madelyn, is also an ordained minister. Their four children followed them into the church. Their son Clint has been the minister of music in a church in Franklin. He now teaches music at Beaver Meadow School in Concord. Their son Curt is the organist at a church in Longmeadow, Mass. Their daughter Cheryl assists her husband, the Rev. Charles Boucher, in Antrim, and their daughter Carol is an organist at a church in Montour Falls, N.Y.
The musicians in this family must have been inspired by their father, who plays the guitar and what he calls "honky tonk piano."
Since his retirement from parish ministry, Klose is often called back to churches he has served to substitute for an absent minister and to give a day to former parishioners who like to keep in touch with a beloved pastor.
Klose presents a lecture for seniors entitled "New Ways to Stay Home while Growing Old" at secular senior centers, churches and nursing homes.
"We'll go anywhere we're wanted," he said. "I like to use music with my lectures, fun songs I make up, like 'Who's Afraid of Growing Old' to the tune of 'Who's Afraid of the Big Bad Wolf.' And I like to include humor in my lectures. I read a lot of books on aging that have convinced me that laughter is the best medicine."
Norman Cousins has told the story of a man that doctors couldn't cure. His physician advised him to lighten up, to watch comedy movies. The patient claimed to have laughed himself well.
Klose recommends Art Linkletter's new book, How to Make the Rest of Your Life the Best of Your Life, co-authored with Mark Victor Hansen, as the best he's read on aging.
A slender man who moves more like 72 than 92, Klose says you have to exercise your body and your mind to age well. He and Madelyn take part in Tufts University's Strong Living program twice a week. He uses a treadmill at home, does chair exercises and eats "sensibly." Following retirement, he attended Laconia Technical School to receive a certificate in gerontology. He received a doctorate in theology from Northern Seminary in Chicago.
Since "retirement," Klose has been a volunteer chaplain at the St. Francis Healthcare Center in Laconia and at Hillsboro House Nursing Home in Hillsboro.
These days, besides the lecture series, he and Madelyn serve on the mission committee for the church that their son-in-law serves in Antrim. The mission committee is responsible for publicizing and gathering special offerings, four times a year, for home needs, a retired clergy fund and One Great Hour of Sharing.
Klose plays piano duets with his daughter Cheryl. He writes songs and is a poet. He includes his poetry at his lectures. Sometimes, the poems are thoughtful or philosophical; sometimes, they're whimsical. For instance: "When your hair starts to thin, and it slowly turns gray, / We can choose some other color or select a smart toupee."
I asked Klose how he feels about being old.
"Old," he said, "is a constant challenge. It can be very enjoyable. Seniors need to exercise, socialize, expand their minds, love and listen. There are so many needs to fill. Seniors can always helps someone else. The rewards are appreciation and additional years of health, activity, productivity and fulfillment.
"The joy of my ministry has been to encourage people, to challenge them and to love them," he said.
Want to start a Wiki?
I just requested a wiki called When & Where Wiki. Goal: a world-wide calendar of local events, educational, cultural, entertainment, and political. Right now there is no such thing, even at the local level here in Denver. Seems to me this is an application of peer production that makes a lot on sense.
Mission: Help people anywhere in the world answer the question "what are we going to do tonight".
I would have loved for this to exist when I was doing the marketing for the Denver Symphony, I'd love it now for the meetup.com groups I facilitate here in Denver, New Denver Republican Meetup, IDEA Cafe, and Socrates Cafe.
Here's my plan. I'm going to develop the Denver When & Where email I've been sending out once in a while, and develop a network of people in other cities who are doing the same thing.
Want to stake a claim for a link to your city? Email me at JohnSWren@aol.com. I'm immediately open to people who will research and post events for: Aspen, Vail, Dillon, Grand Junction, Durango, Colorado Springs, Pueblo, Ft. Collins, and Greely in Colorado; Anchorage, Honolulu, Austin, Houston, Dallas, Seattle, Phoenix, St. Louis, Kansas City, Chicago, Detroit, New York, Washington D.C., Boston, Philladelphia, Los Angeles, San Francisco, and Atlanta in the US; and Mexico City, London, Paris, Toronto, Montreal, Rome, Singapore, Sydney, Tokyo, Seoul, Beijing, Hong Kong, Hanoi, Bangkok, New Delhi, Moscow, Tel Aviv, Cairo, Athens, Vienna, Berlin, Amsterdam, Madrid, Rio De Janeiro, Buenos Aires, and world-wide.
Postings will be English only for now, just list English speaking events to keep it simple as we start. Preference will be given to people who live in the community and to people who already publish a calendar of events in their city. After you send me your indication of interest, I'll send you a startup kit and the address for the new When & Where Wiki so you can link to it and start posting in your community and getting others who live there to help you.
Interested? Questions? Email me at JohnSWren@aol.com. I'd hate to see us miss this chance to work together.
I just requested a wiki called When & Where Wiki. Goal: a world-wide calendar of local events, educational, cultural, entertainment, and political. Right now there is no such thing, even at the local level here in Denver. Seems to me this is an application of peer production that makes a lot on sense.
Mission: Help people anywhere in the world answer the question "what are we going to do tonight".
I would have loved for this to exist when I was doing the marketing for the Denver Symphony, I'd love it now for the meetup.com groups I facilitate here in Denver, New Denver Republican Meetup, IDEA Cafe, and Socrates Cafe.
Here's my plan. I'm going to develop the Denver When & Where email I've been sending out once in a while, and develop a network of people in other cities who are doing the same thing.
Want to stake a claim for a link to your city? Email me at JohnSWren@aol.com. I'm immediately open to people who will research and post events for: Aspen, Vail, Dillon, Grand Junction, Durango, Colorado Springs, Pueblo, Ft. Collins, and Greely in Colorado; Anchorage, Honolulu, Austin, Houston, Dallas, Seattle, Phoenix, St. Louis, Kansas City, Chicago, Detroit, New York, Washington D.C., Boston, Philladelphia, Los Angeles, San Francisco, and Atlanta in the US; and Mexico City, London, Paris, Toronto, Montreal, Rome, Singapore, Sydney, Tokyo, Seoul, Beijing, Hong Kong, Hanoi, Bangkok, New Delhi, Moscow, Tel Aviv, Cairo, Athens, Vienna, Berlin, Amsterdam, Madrid, Rio De Janeiro, Buenos Aires, and world-wide.
Postings will be English only for now, just list English speaking events to keep it simple as we start. Preference will be given to people who live in the community and to people who already publish a calendar of events in their city. After you send me your indication of interest, I'll send you a startup kit and the address for the new When & Where Wiki so you can link to it and start posting in your community and getting others who live there to help you.
Interested? Questions? Email me at JohnSWren@aol.com. I'd hate to see us miss this chance to work together.
Saturday, March 03, 2007
When Ignatius Loyola was recovering after breaking his leg in battle, he used to enjoy the romances they gave him to read; but he found that their after-taste was empty and unsatisfying. When he read the Gospels, the after-taste was of solid food, something he could live on. He learned to discern the after-taste of experiences. That is the way the Holy Spirit can shape our lives. It means listening to our hearts to discover the path of God and of the Holy Spirit through us, and to recognise what blocks we place, consciously or unconsciously, to God's work in us. From Sacred Space—The Daily Reading Published by the Irish Jesuits.
I saw my brother Randy this afternoon at the University of Denver Voices of Experience lecture.
Steffie Allen spoke about the changes facing corporate leaders as they adjust to changes in the workforces that they lead. She challenged leadership that still believes they can lead in ways that worked in the past and are not prepared for the “new crew.” Steffie presented a thought provoking model of leadership, a framework for leading ethically and authentically, creating real relationships and community and serving as public stewards.
"There is no model for leadership, only principles," she said. "#1 Build and sustain community; #2 Unite people to take action towards a clear and inspiring vision; #3 Demonstrate and inspire citizenship and stewardship; #4 Lead with wisdom from head, heart and gut; and #5 Demand alignment of busines goals and practices with ethics and values." She said these principles were designed to overcome selfishness.
I asked her what she thought of Adam Smith's concept that our free market economy allowed us each to be of service through our self interest. "I have no problem with our free market economy, but it is not enough. We each need a moral system and that's what these principles address." Here's what The Clarion, the DU Student newspaper, had to say about the talk.
Chairman of Woman's Vision discusses leadership traits - News
Eric Hoffer has told us that when we stop believing in God, we'll replace that belief with some form of fanaticism. Where is God in her leadership principles?
"Yes each person needs a personal set of values. The organization needs to recognize that all spiritual paths have value, the test is are they making you a better person? God belongs, however you envision her." (laughter)
Allen formed The AthenA Group in 1989. Athena provides leadership development for corporations locally—and globally. In 1997, she launched Women’s Vision Foundation (50lC3), the only organization in Colorado dedicated exclusively to leadership development for advancing women in corporations. She won the 1988 Dan Ritchie Colorado Ethics in Business award from the University of Denver, served for 20 years on the board of directors of HealthONE, and established and chaired its Ethics and Human Values Committee. Ms. Allen is a 2006 inductee into the Colorado Women’s Hall of Fame.
In the evening I reconnected with my old friend Karl Rove, who spoke at the State GOP dinner at the Marriott South. I was State Chair of College Republicans in 1974-5 when Karl was National Chair, he and I did seminars around the country to help new College Republican clubs get started, and we had the National CR Convetion in Denver that Spring.
Now Karl is the Deputy Chief of Staff and Senior Advisor to President George W. Bush, and he gave a very rousing speech about what the President is doing to try to continue the economic recovery in face of the opposition from the new Democrat majority, and what needs to be done to win in Iraq.
Friday, March 02, 2007
On this date in 1904 Theodor Seuss Geisel, who wrote and illustrated the popular 'Dr. Seuss' children's books, was born.
In 1927, Mr. Geisel married Helen Marion Palmer of Orange, N.J., a teacher he had met when they were studying at Oxford. It was she who persuaded him to give up thoughts of teaching and make drawing a career.
"Ted's notebooks were always filled with these fabulous animals," she later recalled. "So I set to work diverting him; here was a man who could draw such pictures; he should be earning a living doing that."
In addition to serving as her husband's business manager and helping edit his books, she wrote children's books under her maiden name.
From New York Times Obituary, Sept. 24, 1991.
John Wren’s Comment: How often does the right choice of a companion contribute to the success of a person? I just read Team of Rivals about Lincoln, he was much more successful because of his marriage to Mary Todd. My dad was much more successful because of my mother and the influence of her family on him. One of my most vivid memories of the IDEA Café over the last decade is a woman who quit her job as a High School teacher to market her struggling artist husband’s artwork. It worked.
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I love the Internet, it is a marvel… It provides a voice to the formerly voiceless… Anyone can publish their thoughts instantaneously and they are available forever… Reporters now live in fear, a healthy development. Ned Desmond, president of Time Inc. Interactive, in his talk last night about the impact of evolving media technologies on the Catholic believer, part of the Denver Archdiocese Lecture Series.
John Wren’s Comment: I asked Desmond how the Internet had change reporting. He said reporters are now instructed to post information right away, to not wait for final preparation of the article at deadline. Internet news readers demand instant information in small bites. Desmond discounted Wikipendia, “I never cite it,” but I think that would be said by most people who’s paycheck ultimately depends on large printing presses. The big downside of the Internet, in his opinion, is the sharp decline in time for quite reflection for most people, “there is just too much competition from the urgent and the entertaining.” Desmond estimates he sends about 100 emails a day and reads 200+, and that this is typical for the people he knows. To stay abreast of breaking news he reads Netvibes.
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Communications technology makes new forms of church organization possible, and geographically distant congregations can easily join together. Rather than voting with your feet, you may now vote with your mouse, perhaps the most amicable form of religious divorce. Jack Miles, a senior fellow for religious affairs with the Pacific Council on International Policy and a scholar in residence with the Getty Research Institute in his New York Times, A Divorce the Church Should Smile Upon.
Google has been frustrated in its efforts to reach comprehensive deals with major studios and networks to put their video on YouTube. Meanwhile, it is forming partnerships with hundreds of smaller media companies that see value — or at least a valuable experiment — in contributing to the site. New York Times, Google Courts Small YouTube Deals
History is the best antidote to delusions of omnipotence and omniscience, forcing us to a recognition of the fact, so often and so sadly displayed, that the future outwits all our certitudes. Historian Arthur Schlesinger Jr., who died Wednesday, quoted in the New York Times.
Words kill… Grow up… Live out your God-created identity.
Mt 5: 20-48
In 1927, Mr. Geisel married Helen Marion Palmer of Orange, N.J., a teacher he had met when they were studying at Oxford. It was she who persuaded him to give up thoughts of teaching and make drawing a career.
"Ted's notebooks were always filled with these fabulous animals," she later recalled. "So I set to work diverting him; here was a man who could draw such pictures; he should be earning a living doing that."
In addition to serving as her husband's business manager and helping edit his books, she wrote children's books under her maiden name.
From New York Times Obituary, Sept. 24, 1991.
John Wren’s Comment: How often does the right choice of a companion contribute to the success of a person? I just read Team of Rivals about Lincoln, he was much more successful because of his marriage to Mary Todd. My dad was much more successful because of my mother and the influence of her family on him. One of my most vivid memories of the IDEA Café over the last decade is a woman who quit her job as a High School teacher to market her struggling artist husband’s artwork. It worked.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
I love the Internet, it is a marvel… It provides a voice to the formerly voiceless… Anyone can publish their thoughts instantaneously and they are available forever… Reporters now live in fear, a healthy development. Ned Desmond, president of Time Inc. Interactive, in his talk last night about the impact of evolving media technologies on the Catholic believer, part of the Denver Archdiocese Lecture Series.
John Wren’s Comment: I asked Desmond how the Internet had change reporting. He said reporters are now instructed to post information right away, to not wait for final preparation of the article at deadline. Internet news readers demand instant information in small bites. Desmond discounted Wikipendia, “I never cite it,” but I think that would be said by most people who’s paycheck ultimately depends on large printing presses. The big downside of the Internet, in his opinion, is the sharp decline in time for quite reflection for most people, “there is just too much competition from the urgent and the entertaining.” Desmond estimates he sends about 100 emails a day and reads 200+, and that this is typical for the people he knows. To stay abreast of breaking news he reads Netvibes.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Communications technology makes new forms of church organization possible, and geographically distant congregations can easily join together. Rather than voting with your feet, you may now vote with your mouse, perhaps the most amicable form of religious divorce. Jack Miles, a senior fellow for religious affairs with the Pacific Council on International Policy and a scholar in residence with the Getty Research Institute in his New York Times, A Divorce the Church Should Smile Upon.
Google has been frustrated in its efforts to reach comprehensive deals with major studios and networks to put their video on YouTube. Meanwhile, it is forming partnerships with hundreds of smaller media companies that see value — or at least a valuable experiment — in contributing to the site. New York Times, Google Courts Small YouTube Deals
History is the best antidote to delusions of omnipotence and omniscience, forcing us to a recognition of the fact, so often and so sadly displayed, that the future outwits all our certitudes. Historian Arthur Schlesinger Jr., who died Wednesday, quoted in the New York Times.
Words kill… Grow up… Live out your God-created identity.
Mt 5: 20-48
Thursday, March 01, 2007
I just sent this letter to Denver newspapers:
March 7th the ballot will be set for the May Denver elections. It appears there is a connspiracy of the incumbents and the media to keep this important fact secret.
Where are the articles now about who has filed to run, and deadlines for others who might be interested? Why haven't the newspapers reported the poor job being done by the Denver Election Commissions posting this information on their website?
Our Optimist Club invited a City Council Person speak yesterday who is running for reelection. Not one word was said in the 1/2 hour talk about the election and her position on issues. "We get along with the Mayor, and that's the way people like it," she said as she put on her coat to leave immediately after her talk.
Most people I talk with are unhappy with the Mayor and the City Council for their performance with snow removal, the lack of progress with the new Justice Center, the mishandling of the homeless and immigration problems in Denver, etc. There will be great interest in the May elections, I'm sure.
If we end up with a ballot in May with few good choices, the primary blame will be with the poor job that's been done by Denver newspapers.
John Wren, President
Denver South Optimists Club
960 Grant Street #727
Denver, CO 80203
(720)495-4949
March 7th the ballot will be set for the May Denver elections. It appears there is a connspiracy of the incumbents and the media to keep this important fact secret.
Where are the articles now about who has filed to run, and deadlines for others who might be interested? Why haven't the newspapers reported the poor job being done by the Denver Election Commissions posting this information on their website?
Our Optimist Club invited a City Council Person speak yesterday who is running for reelection. Not one word was said in the 1/2 hour talk about the election and her position on issues. "We get along with the Mayor, and that's the way people like it," she said as she put on her coat to leave immediately after her talk.
Most people I talk with are unhappy with the Mayor and the City Council for their performance with snow removal, the lack of progress with the new Justice Center, the mishandling of the homeless and immigration problems in Denver, etc. There will be great interest in the May elections, I'm sure.
If we end up with a ballot in May with few good choices, the primary blame will be with the poor job that's been done by Denver newspapers.
John Wren, President
Denver South Optimists Club
960 Grant Street #727
Denver, CO 80203
(720)495-4949
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