by Peter Boyles | Jul 23, 2021 | Blasting with Boyles
Twice now in my lifetime, I’ve witnessed the end of senseless, ridiculous, long-term generational wars fought by my country, only to come to senseless, ridiculous conclusions. What’s more frightening about all of this, as we’re writing the column today, is the cry of the hawk. “We have to stop the mullahs from getting a bomb.” “We gotta confront the Chinese and the East China Sea. We have to confront Putin. And arm the Ukraine. For God’s sake we have to defend Taiwan.”
What have these people earned in the cost of the war in Afghanistan, and the end of the insanity of Vietnam? In southeast Asia they can only guess at the body count. The agreed upon cost in 1970 dollars was over a trillion and we continue to pay for the destroyed lives of the young men and women sent into southeast Asia.
Now Afghanistan. The cost of Afghanistan in lives and dollars. The 20-year mission comes to a conclusion as the helicopters are pushed off the decks of aircraft carriers, the American GIs leave Bagram Air Force Base in the middle of the night without telling the Afghans they are leaving. I watched General Scott Miller relinquish his command in Kabul. The data is frightening. No one knows again how many Afghans died and the cost to those peoples’ lives. The agreed upon number depends on who you listen to. Another trillion, and considering the continued death toll in Iraq, the lies of Bush and Cheney.
Remember, Johnson had the Gulf of Tonkin where there’s no evidence to support the American destroyers were fired on that night. Colin Powell and the UN talking about the yellow cake uranium. There’s no evidence of that. Bush and Cheney saying we must attack Afghanistan knowing full well the murderers of 9/11 had long gone into being protected by our gallant allies the Pakistanis.
The cost will continue, the price of the lives of these young men and women, the price of past tombs, Shia and the Sunni. Bush appearing in the media being upset about pulling out of Afghanistan. These people have no shame.
And the same on-airs, and the same elected politicians, the same columnists and the same war mongers now continue to hear the scream of the hawk. Let’s go again. Generations of Americans will have to pay this off.
The Two most important speeches ever given by any American president were: George Washington’s farewell address, warning of foreign entanglements; and Dwight Eisenhower, warning of the military industrial complex. This great danger is to the American forces’ fine young men and women, who will be paying with their lives, future health care disability, and the suicide numbers. 1.6 or 1.8 trillion. Another amount offered up. Those costs will peak. Who wants to go again? I fear these people.
— Peter Boyles
by Mark Smiley | Jun 25, 2021 | General Featured
Denver Man Hopes Patriotic Art Project Sparks Unity
by Julie Hayden
Finding The Way: Johnston created an angel Sacagawea from the rubble to symbolize Americans finding their way to common values and principles.
At first glance, it looks like a vacant lot in the middle of what Denver Police records show to be an area with one of the highest crime rates in North Capitol Hill. But a closer look reveals an island of unity and patriotic art, thanks to the efforts of one man and the support of the diverse community that makes up this neighborhood. “This is for the people and to remind us we have something more important that just partisan politics,” exclaims patriotic art creator Roy Johnston.
Johnston is an author who had just written a book and was searching for inspiration for a cover photo. “The book was titled ‘Brick By Brick, The Dismantling Of America’ because of all the chaos going on for the last five years or more.” He explains the book is about “how America is in decline so you could see how the building blocks of America are crumbling so to speak and I was looking for brick walls crumbling.”
That’s when he came upon the lot in the 1500 block of Pearl Street. “I got to this place where there were bricks just strewn over the ground.” Johnston reveals his research showed there used to be two lovely brick homes here, built in the mid 1930s. The property had been bought and sold over the years and eventually demolished, leaving a gaping hole on the lot. “There were two houses here, 1930s vintage brick houses. Beautiful but had gone into ruin and were actually crack houses.”
An idea began to grow to create something intended to be unifying out of the rubble, a map of the United States. “I thought what a great metaphor to take something like a crack house and the human tragedy that occurs there and take the rubble from that and rebuild the country.”
And that’s what Johnston proceeded to do. He took the bricks and debris from the demolished homes and used them piece by piece to create a sculpture of a map of America.
“Everything here is from this site. I have Styrofoam that I painted to be the ocean. There’s tree roots that make the Mississippi River, there’s metal that makes the Great Lakes. The idea is that red, white and blue, the United States flag brings the country together. That’s the message here.”
Not About Politics
Patriotic Art: Artist Roy Johnston stands by a map of the United States created with the debris from a demolished building in North Capitol Hill.
As Johnston showed up to work regularly on his patriotic art, neighbors watched with curiosity. “People come by every day, They stop and they say what are you doing and I tell them and they love it.” He says people from the historic Denver Community Church across the street stopped by one Sunday to take a look.
It’s also across the street from one of Denver’s Safe Outdoor Spaces homeless encampments. Some of the people staying there help Johnston keep an eye on his artwork. “People stop by and take pictures and not a brick has been moved.”
Johnston is adamant this is not about politics. “This is about bringing the country together. I hate politics. This has nothing to do with Democrats, Republicans, or any fraction that is always saying ‘Me, me, me. Our way or the highway’. I’m saying let’s talk about us together as Americans.”
New Projects
Rebuilding From The Rubble: Johnston hopes his patriotic art encourages people to rebuild togetherness out of the rubble of partisan politics.
The art project continues to grow. Johnston says a friend suggested he create a sculpture of an eagle. So Johnston gathered the pieces of brick and concrete, figured out how to put them together in the shape of an eagle and painted it with red, white and blue. The next project was an angel Sacagawea. The Lemhi Shoshone woman was an interpreter and guide for the Lewis and Clark Expedition in the early 1800s. “You see her arms spread wide and facing the map of America. She is
praying for America. Without her guidance, Lewis and Clark would likely have not made it to the Pacific. Now she is praying America finds her way back to its founding principles and values. That’s the symbolism I was going for.”
Johnston acknowledges his work is unique. But that’s the point. “It’s just that if everybody had these crazy ideas like this we would be a great country again. We would come together, we would solve our problems, solve our differences and that’s how every everybody can make a difference. We don’t need to rely on Washington DC, we need to rely on ourselves.”
Johnston hopes this is just the first of many of what he calls “patriotic art for free.” “I’m going to keep doing the patriotic art, “ he says. “And the rest is in God’s hands. I hope it brings people together.”
Johnston can be contacted at johnstini.com.
by Mark Smiley | Jun 25, 2021 | Travel
by Mark Smiley and Eleanore Smiley (10 years old)
Wave Pool: Catch a wave and splash and play as the swells sweep in from the five-foot deep end to the zero-depth-entry shallows. Wave pools are a fun family vacation favorite for kids of all ages. The rollers flow in every five minutes to lift and transport you on the surge of the ocean’s tide.
Great Wolf Lodge in Colorado Springs, has reopened after being closed due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The lodge, offers families a viable option for a “staycation.” The family vacation resort opened in January 2016, and features a 50,000-square foot indoor water park. The $100 million resort is situated North of Colorado Springs and is just over a one-hour drive from Denver making it a logistically simple getaway.
The check-in process was seamless with the exception of the room not being ready. However, there is plenty to do while one waits for their room. And, upon check in, all members of your party are given wristbands which serve as your room key.
The main attraction is the indoor water park which has slides and thrill rides for kids and adults of all ages as well as a wave pool. In addition, after checkout, guests can continue to enjoy the water park until it closes at 8 p.m. “In my opinion the water park is the best part of Great Wolf Lodge,” said Ellie Smiley, a 10-year-old guest of the hotel and this author’s daughter. “Once you walk in you will see Fort McKenzie which is fun for any age. There’s a bucket that fills up with water then dumps on your head.”
The surprising part for most guests is there is more to do beyond the water park. The resort features a climbing wall, ropes course, a digital scavenger hunt which electronically captures achievements of its participants with a tracked score, a Build-a- Bear workshop, mini golf, bowling, and an arcade.
In addition to the above offerings, the resort features dance parties and story time. It is an easy way to wind down while having the children in pajamas with a short elevator ride up to the guest room.
Wolf Tail: Once the floor drops out from under you on this adventure ride, you’re hurled into a nearly vertical, 20-foot free fall followed immediately by a 360-degree, high-speed loop.
Guest rooms range in size from a standard room to suites including a separate den for the kids to offer privacy for the parents. They include a separate television with plenty of kids’ programming offered. They all offer mini fridges and microwaves. “In my opinion the best room there is the Wolf Den because it has a tiny built-in room called Wiley’s Den for your kids with bunk beds, a TV, and decorated walls with all the Great Wolf Lodge characters,” said Smiley. “There’s also a window which you will find the remote to the TV. Next to Wiley’s Den is the bed for the parents and a TV for them. The room also has a microwave, a mini fridge, and a coffee maker. Though the Wolf Den room costs more money, ages 13 and under will have the best time at Wiley’s Den!”
There are ample dining options inside the resort including pizza, quick appetizers, and a buffet geared mostly to the younger population. Ben and Jerry’s and Dunkin’ Donuts are guest favorites located on the way to the water park. They are convenient options to grab a cup of coffee or a cold treat.
While convenience is one of the selling points to the Great Wolf Lodge, some guests opt to visit nearby restaurants for lunch and dinner for a change of scenery. There are a number of restaurants and businesses nearby including The Summit, Cheddar’s Scratch Kitchen, Parry’s Pizzeria & Taphouse, and Jersey Mike’s.
The most notable attributes of the resort are the friendly staff members, clean suites, and an immaculate lobby that also has a big fireplace. Big windows give guests nice views of the Rockies as well.
If a family is looking for a quick getaway offering convenience, fun, and thrills, it is tough to beat the Great Wolf Lodge. For more information, visit www.greatwolf.com/colorado-springs. Follow them on Twitter @GreatWolfLodge and Facebook @GWLColoradoSprings.
by Mark Smiley | Jun 25, 2021 | Main Articles
People At Parks Surges 45% As Pandemic Limits Loosen; Half Of Flowerbeds Planted, Watering Off 20%, Trash Cans Full
by Glen Richardson
People Pack Parks: Denver Parks & Recreation estimates a 45% surge in number of people in parks since the pandemic limits loosened. Adding to the wear-and-tear of park lawns are events such as these summer-long jazz concerts at City Park.
Even as Denver and the Cherry Creek Valley are opening up following the year-long pandemic shutdown, the effects continue to reverberate and are likely to do so for a long time after defeat of the virus. Across the Valley people congregated in unprecedented numbers at parks to feel a sense of community during the time of isolation. Denver’s 250 parks, 30 rec centers and 80+ trails became some of Denver’s most utilized assets throughout the pandemic.
The pandemic, of course, dealt a crushing blow to the City of Denver’s budget. As revenues from local/state sales and income taxes declined abruptly, the cost of responding to the conditions created by the pandemic continued to rise. At Denver’s Parks & Recreation Department, the city was forced to slash about $9.4 million.
Park usage was anticipated to be high this summer but is rising beyond predictions after loosening of Covid-19 restrictions. Judging by the number of trash bags Denver Parks & Rec is using, the number of visitors has already jumped drastically. Trash bag usage is up 45% in Wash Park and 43% in City Park.
Park Pace Slows
Talking Trash: Residents and visitors will see more full trash cans in Denver parks this year. Parks & Rec says they will get to them but it will take longer than in previous years.
Initial impact on parks around the city: Trash cans remain full longer. Lawns are being mowed every seven days instead of the normal five. Watering of park lawns is down approximately 20% over typical irrigation levels. Only half the flowerbeds in parks around the city are planted so far and few more are likely to be rooted.
More: Like restaurants and retailers around the city, Denver’s Park & Rec Department can’t fill positions even if money wasn’t tight.
Scott Gilmore, Deputy Executive Director, says he is working with smaller staffing throughout the department. Vacancies range from the front desk at rec centers to maintenance at various parks. Park workers empty trash cans, mow lawns, landscape, and irrigate lawns/ plants. Gilmore, who basically administers the department, hopes people will apply for open positions. Previously with the Colorado Division of Wildlife, he has held the position since 1996.
Seasonal Shortfall
Equivalent Care Concept: Previously some city parks in Denver received less care than others. With funding and staffing shortages the city is seeking to provide equivalent care to all parks, including big parks such as Wash Park, above, and small parks such as Alamo Placita, at left.
In the summer the department normally hires approximately 200 seasonal “on-call” workers, according to Gilmore. At the time the pandemic hit last year, the department had hired about 100 workers. “We had to stop since revenues were drying up and we simply didn’t have the money.” With about 100 spots filled, the department was seeking to add another 20-30 spots.
However, when adding recreation centers to the equation, the number of open positions jumped quickly. The city is struggling to find fitness instructors and lifeguards plus rec center front desk staff. Adding it up, the number of open positions is now closer to 170.
In previous years parks in some neighborhoods have received less care than others, Gilmore concedes. However with the staff stretched thin this year the department is focused on evenhandedness. no matter the size or location of the park.
Flower Dazzle Down
A critical and noticeable difference residents and visitors will see is that with too few workers, some of the flowerbeds at parks haven’t been planted. As of June the city had only
Fewer Flowerbeds: As of June the city had only planted about half the flowerbeds in the city and few more will be rooted. The city doesn’t have enough people to maintain the beds or the funds to pay for the flowers or people.
planted about half of the flowerbeds in the city.
At Cheesman Park, volunteers have been working to take care of the rose garden. The Cheesman Park Advocacy Group has been tending the gardens since 2012. The volunteers take care of 24 rose beds, working in coordination with Denver Parks & Recreation. They volunteer not only their time but also provide supplies. Recently, for example, nearly 200 rose bushes were replaced with new in the garden due to recent year die-off.
Next year according to Gilmore the city is planning on planting all the flowerbeds again in parks. But he adds, “to do that we have to have enough people to maintain the flower beds at the level citizens and visitors have come to expect.”
Thirsty Looking Lawns
Thanks to above normal spring rains, city parks have continued to look remarkably green. Temperatures soaring to 90-100 degrees in early June, however, will make it tougher to keep park lawns green as the summer progresses. Gilmore says if we have normal rain-precipitation this summer, he believes that with the moisture, coupled with the department’s irrigation plan, “parks will be looking thirsty, but green.” However, with drought, “we’ll likely see some brown patches here and there.” Park and field usage, age of the irrigation systems, and type of water sources used at various sites will also be factors.
With approximately 3,000 acres of irrigated parkland in the city, it is necessary to keep that land adequately watered to ensure that it remains healthy and available for use. Additionally, there are many families in the city that don’t have the benefits of a yard or owning their own home.
For those families the only options for enjoying the outdoors and staying active is to use one of the many parks in the Denver system. Th
Scott Gilmore
ey offer a safe and controlled location for family picnics, exercise and other recreational activities plus sites for kids to engage in sports.
Trampling Damage
Another factor is the wear-and-tear of lawns and turf fields this summer from sports, concerts and parties. Not only are the number of people at parks up, with the pandemic lifted, concerts and private parties are increasing dramatically.
Crowds will be trampling lawns, for example, during summer-long jazz concerts at City Park and during massive Levitt Pavilion music events at Ruby Hill Park, many of them free. When you walk on well-watered grass it springs back. Dry grass, however, stays matted down and is easily damaged by trampling.
Based on the various factors discussed, Gilmore asks residents to be patient if they see parks that aren’t perfect. “If you see weeds in some of the flower beds or a trash can that’s full don’t be alarmed. We’re going to get to it. But sometimes it will take us a little bit longer than previous years to get to some of the things than normally it would’ve.”
