by Editorial Board | Jan 16, 2025 | Editorials
Editorial —
Lisa Raville, aka “Dr. Death”
When Mike Johnston assumed the mayorship of Denver in 2023, he announced that he would make homelessness in Denver the absolute highest priority for his Administration for the first six plus months of his term. In 2024 he expanded the scope of his concentration to include the tens of thousands of illegal immigrants pouring into the city from across the border in Texas. He indicated the City would spend whatever is needed to assist the people he dubbed the “newcomers.”
The two groups will eventually meld into one another, as when the newcomers are cut off from the free rental subsidy the city provides, they too will fit into the category of “residents experiencing homelessness.” So jealously has Johnston guarded his future homeless newcomers that he publicly threatened to send the Denver Police to the Denver border, augmented by ferocious Valkyries from the Highlands neighborhood, to meet and repulse ICE agents coming to Denver to deport any newcomers.
In last Fall’s election Denver voters shot down the mayor’s proposed sales tax increase to help the mayor meet his housing development goals. Instead of modifying and lessening those goals he has told all city departments they must cut their budgets by 12.5%. This should cause all services provided to citizens to significantly drop, but homelessness, of course, supersedes all other needs of Denver’s citizens.
Some Denver residents who are not “newcomers” or homeless have begun to wonder what exactly the city was going to do for them. That is when the Denver City Council had a brilliant idea of expanding the needle exchange centers from three to an infinite amount in every neighborhood. On January 13, 2025, in an 8 to 5 vote, the City Council voted to allow an unlimited amount of these centers and even included a lift on the restriction of no needle exchange centers being within 1,000 feet from a school or daycare center.
At a needle exchange center a drug addict can turn in dirty needles and syringes for new ones along with other drug paraphernalia free of charge. Advocates for this program argue this will limit the spread of HIV and Hepatitis C infections. Of course, an addict could buy his or her own needles and syringes but that would cost money and advocates indicate the program will free up more money for items that drug addicts value, like more drugs.
The best part from the addict’s perspective is that the staff at these sites are forbidden from bringing up the subject of treatment for the addiction unless the addicts foolishly bring up the subject themselves.
The new ordinance also does away with the 1997 law prohibition of having needle exchange centers within a thousand yards of a school or daycare center. Not that the provision was really an impediment as the city simply granted exceptions when asked.
The passage of the needle exchange ordinance is a triumph for Lisa Raville the executive director of The Harm Reduction Action Center. Her critics have dubbed her “Dr. Death.” having earned her doctorate not from an educational center but the mean streets of Chicago and Denver. She views herself as a tireless advocate for intravenous drug users, caring for their needs and wants.
She in many ways resembles John Parvansky the CEO of the Colorado Coalition for the Homeless. In his 37 years of service from 1985 until he retired in 2022 he grew homelessness from a relatively manageable problem into a behemoth social quagmire that literally has become the primary concern of the entire city government.
Dr. Death has headed up the Harm Reduction Acton Center since 2009. In that time the number of intravenous drug users and drug overdose deaths has steadily increased. In the last four years alone the number of drug overdose deaths has nearly doubled while recently decreasing nationally.
Dr. Death’s needle exchange centers are the first part of a three-part scheme. Next up is turning the needle exchange centers into supervised “safe use sites” which will eventually be provided with a “regulated drug supply” of quality heroin and meth.
Under the full program addicts will have across the city places to go for free drugs, needles, and syringes at taxpayer expense. Addiction and drug deaths should skyrocket.
You do not have to guess what the result will be because the full “harm reduction” program was introduced in British Columbia by Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, As a result deaths in British Columbia from drug overdoses have risen to unprecedented levels. The disastrous results of the Canadian “harm reduction” program is one of the reasons the Prime Minister is resigning come this March.
To the shock of some in Denver, Mayor Johnston vetoed Dr. Death’s needle exchange plan on the evening of January 14, 2025. Apparently, the mayor does not want anything to interfere with his homeless and “newcomer” initiatives. Don’t think Dr. Death is going anywhere Like Parvensky, she is in it for the long haul. She will be back next year and the year after until her goal of making Denver the intravenous drug user capitol of the United States. God help us all.
— Editorial Board
by Valley Gadfly | Jan 16, 2025 | Main Articles
Valentine’s Day Is Just Cupid’s Shot Away, Choose From Fun Things To Do, Places To Dine
by Glen Richardson
Has someone special caught your eye? Valentine’s Day is Friday, Feb 14, 2025. Candy, flowers, and heart-shaped notes, this sweet celebration is all about spreading the love.
Thanks to love songs, poetry, music, movies, and art, the language of love seems to be constantly expanding, and what better time to brush up on the myriad ways to express your love and affection than this year’s holiday?
Glendale-Cherry Creek and the entire Valley is a romantic, picture-perfect place for love and relationships. Here is your annual guide of things to do, where to go with your partner, kids, family, or loved ones to show them how much you care:
Valentine Events
Valentine’s Love Ting: Dubbed the “Front Range Darlings,” Dakota Blonde’s Valentine Concert is at Swallow Hill, Feb. 14.
City Park 4 Mile: Celebrate love at the Valentine’s Day 4 Mile in Denver’s City Park Sunday, Feb. 9, 9-a.m. The heartwarming event invites couples, friends, and families to hit the pavement together for the run-walk. There’s also a Cupid’s free Kids 200 Meter Fun Run, 8:40 a.m. There’s also a Costume Contest. Information: 720-838-6185.
Tea & Collaging: Celebrate at this love-themed collaging party at the Center for Colorado Women’s History (Byers-Evans House), Feb. 10. Tour of the historic house is followed by tea seating, during which guests are invited to collage Valentines (materials provided). Refreshments by Miss Peabody’s Southern Tea Cakes served with the museum’s Lady Lavender black tea. Information: 303-620-4933.
Make & Take Valentines: Flowers and plants are used year-round to send messages of love, happiness, and joy. Learn the shapes, textures, and colors of dried flowers, leaves, and seeds, plus use them to decorate a Valentine’s Day ornament. Denver Botanic Gardens Family Valentine Make & Take offers a space for children and grownups to connect with natural materials and create together, Feb. 10-14. Information: 720-865-3500.
Orchid Showcase: Make a date to view, discover hundreds of exotic orchid blooms, including rare specimens during the Orchid Showcase at Denver Botanic Gardens, running to Feb. 17. On select dates Fantasy Orchids — a local orchid grower — will be on-site with orchids for purchase. The Showcase will be open 9 a.m.-5 p.m. in the Orangery. The showcase is included with admission to the Gardens. Information: 720-865-3500.
Jones at Dazzle: Award-winning singer Eugenie Jones wins hearts, captivates audiences with her vocal style and performances. She does jazz standards, originals, classic soul, and blues to serenade you into Valentine’s Day at Dazzle on Feb. 13, 6:30 p.m. Information: 303-839-5100.
Candlelight Concert: The Range Ensemble String Quartet entertains with aerial accompaniment by aerialist at Wings Over the Rockies, 8:45 p.m. on Feb. 13, again at 6:30 p.m. Feb. 15. Information: 303-260-5360.
V-Day Darlings: Dakota Blonde —dubbed the “Front Range darlings,” — do their magical Valentine Concert at Swallow Hill’s Daniels Hall Feb. 14, 8 p.m. Information: 303-777-1003.
Cupid Dining Choices
Ah, you and your valentine want a restaurant that’s cozy and relaxing while offering an experience that stays with you. Here we present the Chronicle’s Cupid-approved guide for getting to the heart of the matter:
Italian
French Quarter: Serving classic French dishes, including crepes, Wash Park’s relaxed bistro Bon Ami is a top V-Day pick.
Valentine’s Day originated in Italy with iconic romantic settings like Verona (from Romeo and Juliet) and the overall sensual and shared nature of Italian food itself, making it a fitting choice for a romantic dinner.
Picks: North Italia: Handcrafted Italian on the corner of Clayton Ln, & 2nd Ave. in Cherry Creek. Information: 720-941-7700. Barolo Grill: Upscale Italian fare with big wine list on E. 6th Ave. in classy space with a romantic vibe. Information: 303-293-1040.
French
French cuisine is often associated with Valentine’s Day because of its reputation for elegance, fine dining, and romantic presentation. Essentially, the French culinary style is widely considered “the epitome of romance.”
Picks: Bon Ami: Relaxed bistro serving classic French dishes, including savory & sweet crepes, on E. Alameda Ave. & S. Pennsylvania St. in Wash Park. Information: 303-862-4959. La Merise: Chic Cherry Creek restaurant at 3rd Ave. & Clayton St. crafting gourmet French entrees in a lower-level space. Information: 720-596-4360.
Seafood
Food & Flowers: Sushi from Glendale’s Hana Matsuri Sushi in CitySet is a healthy, romantic dining option. View exotic orchids at the Orchid Showcase through Feb. 17.
When it comes to heart health, seafood is a top choice. Upshot: For your health and your taste buds, seafood is a perfect Valentine’s Day option.
Picks: Blue Island Oyster Bar & Seafood: Cherry Creek seafood restaurant on the 2600 block of E. 2nd Ave. with a raw bar, beer & craft cocktails in nautical surrounds. Information: 303-333-2462. Jax Fish House & Oyster Bar: Upscale Glendale CitySet restaurant on corner of Colorado Blvd. & Cherry Creek S. Dr. serving gourmet seafood dishes and creative cocktails in a relaxed, stylish setting. Information: 303-756-6449.
Sushi
Swoon For Sushi: Hana Matsuri Sushi offers a variety of flavors and textures for a dining delight in Glendale’s CitySet.
A dining experience with a variety of flavors and textures — plus ease of eating during a conversation — sushi is a romantic and healthy Valentine’s Day dining option.
Picks: Hana Matsuri Sushi: Japanese restaurant in Glendale’s CitySet with black rock cooking featuring a full bar offering cocktails and sake. Information: 303-600-8477. Hapa Sushi Grill & Sake Bar: Cherry Creek sushi spot on 2nd Ave. west of St. Paul with creative takes on Japanese fare, imaginatively named rolls. Information: 303-322-9554.
Mexican
Mexicans observe Valentine’s Day — El día del amor y de la Amistad — by socializing with loved ones. The cuisine’s popularity makes it a top culinary choice.
Picks: Que Bueno Suerte: Traditional & modern Mexican plates served in a dramatic-colorful S. Pearl St. bi-level space with two bars. Information: 720-642-7322. SOL Mexican Cocina: Cherry Creek restaurant on Columbine St. with Baja-style eats such as shrimp tacos & chiles rellenos in an upscale setting. Information: 303- 953-2208.
