"Confront the dark parts of yourself. ... Your willingness to wrestle with your demons will cause your angels to sing." Playwright August Wilson, (books by this author) who was born on this date Frederick August Kittel in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania (1945).

Right after (the challenge to create a world-class engineering centerpiece for the 1893 Chicago World's Fair that would symbolize American engineering prowess) George Ferris immediately "began casting several things over in his mind. One night at dinner, in the company of a small group of friends, the idea of a great observation wheel came to him, like an inspiration. He rapidly sketched his plans in the rough. The inspiration of the moment was a stroke of genius. The original sketch was so perfect that it was carried out in its entirety; not a single change was made."
From: Circles in the Sky-- The Life and Times of George Ferris. http://www.ferris-wheel.org/

Make no little plans; they have no magic to stir men's blood and probably themselves will not be realized. Make big plans; aim high in hope and work, remembering that a noble, logical diagram once recorded will not die, but long after we are gone be a living thing, asserting itself with ever-growing insistence. Remember that our sons and our grandsons are going to do things that would stagger us. Let your watchword be order and your beacon beauty. Daniel H. Burnham, Architect, in charge of the 1893 Chicago World's Fair.

I just posted this on Craigs List:

Denver Speakers Corner We hope you'll join and RSVP. Your membership helps make sure the group continues, but it is not necessary to be a member to attend and to participate. Everyone is welcome! Who should attend Denver Speakers Corner? Everyone is welcome, but we especially encourage attendance from: *Candidates announcing their candidacy and/or asking for votes. *Supporters of such candidates for elected public office. *Public officials who'd like direct feedback from voters in an instant town hall meeting. *Concerned citizens who want to bring an issue or concern to the attention of other citizens. *Organizers forming a committee to campaign for new issues or causes. *Poets and writers with a new work to try out on a live audience. *Promoters of theatre, music, and other entertainments who'd like to make an announcement. *Promoters who want to introduce a live sample of their wares. *Public speakers who'd like to practice their craft. *People who want to listen to the above for enlightenment and enjoyment. *Curious newcomers to Denver who want to ask questions and find connections. *Denverites with out of town guests seeking unique aspects of the city to share. *Anyone looking for a good way to enjoy Sunday afternoon! "Cor ad cor loquitur." (Heart speaks to heart.) Take the soap box and give us 3 to 5 minutes straight from your heart, or just listen to what others have to share about issues, candidates, causes, and local Denver community news. The sign up sheet is out at 3:30 p.m. Those who RSVP and come by 4 p.m. speak first. This article about us was in the paper in August, 2008: http://www.rockymountainnews.com/news/2008/aug/18/civic-center-blues-park-becomes-a-sunday-soapbox/ This column was in the Denver Post November, 2009: http://www.denverpost.com/ci_13876192 We hope you can join us at our next meeting to share with us about your candidate, issue, cause, concern, or just to share a few good jokes! RSVP to get on the speakers list and to get a vote as the group makes decisions, or just show up and get on the list at the meeting if you'd prefer. Those who RSVP will speak first, we will only video the first hour.
	Learn more and join this group at http://www.meetup.com/Denver-Speakers-Corner/.
Check out what members are saying about Denver Speakers Corner: "This is an opportunity to build social capital and hear fresh ideas." - Frank Atwood "Come out and polish your skills. Rehearse a line a speech, or even an excuse you plan on giving your significant other. (LoL on the last one. "No really honey I was just joking!) Express your thoughts, worries, anger (but please no violence), or just introduce yourself as you support those around you taking a chance. Its free, so come on out and meet some pretty cool folks." - charles ballew "Because there is no better way to keep free speech alive and kicking." - keith "It will engage their interest, since we speak about current issues. Further, it will give people who like to speak a chance to do so, while giving people unskilled at speaking a chance to improve their skill." - G. P. "This has the potential of becoming a great source of local news about Denver." - John Wren

I just emailed this out to a few hundred of my closest friends:

((PLEASE forward to friends who might be interested, OK?

If you don't want emails like this from me each Friday,

return this with "cancel". If you'd like my personal help finding

your next great client or next good job, contact me at

John@JohnWren.com or (303)861-1447.))

Life's short, make today count!

1.  Denver Bcycle (read all about it in the Denver Post at http://www.denverpost.com/style/ci_14839372)  started yesterday. I helped introduce it at the University of Denver Driscoll Center. If you want to try a free day go to http://Denver.Bcycle.com, click on the "Join Denver B-cycle" link. On the registration page, enter this code: D27B37SOOLW. Then to unlock a bike at any B-station, go to the kiosk and swipe the credit card you used to register. This is either a genius idea or it will be a complete flop, what do you think? Questions? Call (303)825-3325

2.  Denver IDEA Cafe startup workshop meets from 2 to 3:30 p.m. each Friday at Panera Bread, 13^th and Grant in Denver. More information and RSVP at http://Meetup.com/Denver-IDEA-Cafe or (303)861-1447.

Today, Apr 23: Civil engineer, entrepreneur and author of “The History of the Ferris Wheel,” Richard Weingardt www.richardweingardt.com, and entrepreneur and photographer Pete Lawlor www.PhotosByLawlor.com

From As You Like It:
And so, from hour to hour, we ripe and ripe,
And then from hour to hour, we rot and rot:
And thereby hangs a tale.
William Shakespeare, born on this day in 1564. He wrote more than 30 plays

It's the birthday of one of the founders of psychiatry, Philippe Pinel, born in Saint-André, France (1745). He studied mathematics, theology, and internal medicine before becoming the chief physician at a Paris insane asylum in 1792. Before Pinel arrived, conditions at the asylum were horrible: Among other things, patients were chained to the walls, and people could pay a fee to come in and watch them.
Pinel put a stop to these practices, as well as misguided treatments like bleeding, purging, and blistering. People generally believed that the insane were possessed by demons, but Pinel argued that they were just under a lot of stress. He started treating patients by talking to them about their problems in intense conversations on a regular basis, which paved the way for modern psychiatric practices.  From The Writer's Almanac

"I am not interested in ... such subjects as the adulteries of dentists. I am interested in those things that repeat and repeat and repeat in the lives of the millions." Thornton Wilder, (books by this author) born on this date in Madison, Wisconsin (1897), author of Our Town (1938) since high school my favorite play. 

I just sent out this media release:

((Please share this with whoever might find it interesting.

Thanks. John))

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

April 17, 2010

Contact:  John Wren (720)495-4949

JOHN WREN ON WHY HE DIDN’T ATTEND THE APRIL 15 TEA PARTY RALLY

DENVER__John Wren was just challenged by one of his Facebook friends because he didn’t attend the Tea Party rally here in Denver April 15. This is Wren’s answer to that friend on Facebook, see the entire exchange at  http://www.facebook.com/john.s.wren?v=wall&story_fbid=436350448781

Lawrence, every candidate who runs on the Tea Party platform outside the two parties will play a spoiler role. That's my point. Seems exceptionally stupid to me.

Take who I understand was the MC of the event, Rob McNeally. I've known Rob for a long time and for the most part I like his spirit. If he ran against Mike Coffman in a primary, OK. If I were in the district I'd vote for Mike who has done a good job in my opinion, but it would be Rob's right as a Republican to run in the primary if he really doesn't agree with Mike on some issue. But Rob is running on the "Tea Party" platform, as you well know. Rob has NO chance of winning, but there is a very good chance he will take enough votes from Mike to give the race to who I would imagine most of the Exceptional Americans who were gathered at his feet there on the West steps of the Colorado Capitol would least like to be elected.

This will happen all across the country, it looks like. Who do you think would be funding and encouraging this kind of effort? Have you read C.S. Lewis's The Screw Tape Letters?

 That's why I say people who truly want to make a difference will affiliate now as a Republican or Democrat, run in 2012 in the primary. It's not the immediate gratification of calling another rally, but it's the way our system works. The founders had great fear of the mob. Seems to me the Tea Party is becoming part of that mob.

By the way, there seems to be some question as to whether I'm a conservative. Yes, for one election cycle I was registered as a Republican. But I made it clear that I was a conservative. I was elected to the Denver executive committee and the state executive committee, and I consistently spoke out on issues. Anyone who says otherwise is either uninformed, mislead, or a liar.

Right now I'm unaffiliated. When I'm registered as a Republican, conservative Democrats don't trust me (yes, there are conservative Democrats) and when I'm registered as a Democrat my GOP friends don't trust me. To me the most important thing right now is to encourage more participation in the Colorado Caucuses, some I'm testing out Unaffiliated. Seems there are some who don't like me no matter how I'm registered, I guess they just don't like me. :)

John Wren www.JohnWren.com is a business consultant and adult educator, and he was one of the founders of “Save the Caucus” which defeated the 2002 initiative Amendment 29 which would have killed the Colorado caucus-assembly system for nominating to the primary ballot. Wren is currently is registered to vote in Colorado unaffiliated with a political party. For the last two years Wren has been registered to vote as a Democrat, and he was elected to serve as precinct committee person, Denver House District 5 finance chair, and to the Denver and Colorado Executive Committees as a Democrat. He was on the board of Colorado Democrats for Life. He was a candidate for the vacancy committee election for Colorado Senate District 31 when Jennifer Veiga resigned, and he mounted a last minute primary campaign against House District 5 Representative Joel Judd at the assembly and managed to get a candidate on the ballot. Previous to 2006 Wren had been registered as a Republican, where he had been a party leader and candidate. Contact him at John@JohnWren.com or (303)861-1447

"Determine never to be idle. No person will have occasion to complain of the want of time who never loses any. It is wonderful how much can be done if we are always doing."  Thomas Jefferson, (books by this author) born in Albemarle County, Virginia on this day in 1743.

Micheal Novak spoke recently at Regis University here in Denver. He said the way out of the financial mess we are in is through the start of new enterprises.

What's the best way to start, to be part of that solution? A good first step is to read Dr. Amar Bhide's The Origin and Evolution of New Businesses, what the publisher of Inc. Magazine has said is the most important book ever written about startup.

Contact me if you want help turning your inspiration into a new business.

John S. Wren, MBA+
Life's short, start now!
(303)861-1447 or John@JohnWren.com