This Weekend’s Pick: Fast Times in Dacono
Nothing goes better with a Saturday evening than watching buses race around in circles. Oh, that and a cold beer, pretzel and views of the mountains. (more…)
May 2008
What a Surprise, Tancredo Trashing a Liberal Idea
I’m a liberal. I went to the University of Colorado. I admit it would have been nice to see a few more right leaning professors on campus. So it was met with optimism when the Boulder college announced plans to lure top thinking conservative minds to teach on the campus always considered to be a tree-hugging haven through a $9 million endowment. (more…)
May 2008
Dining Pet Peeves Nos. 1 & 2
Everyone has a list of dining pet peeves—mine seems to grow exponentially each time I eat out. The office joke is that I am the office snob. (more…)
May 2008
A Burning Desire to Look Younger
Well, I am sitting here in all my glorious vanity with a charred face. I knew I was going to need to stay home for a day, but I guess I did not really have a clear idea exactly how bad I would look. (more…)
May 2008
A Little Cream Cheese with Your Pizza
Each month, I head out to a new old town or shopping area in search for cool shops, cafes and restaurants. Yesterday, our creative director and I took a field trip to Lyons, the little town just north of Boulder that’s the gateway to all sorts of cool summer fun. (more…)
May 2008
This Weekend’s Pick: The Other Funny Kermit
Let’s be honest, Kermit Holiday has a great name for a comic. But he is not to be mistaken for Kermit the Frog, although both are skinny and in the profession of making people laugh. (more…)
May 2008
If You Can’t Arrest ‘em, Fine ‘em
If you can’t arrest a gay couple for trying to get married, at least you can fine them 41 bucks and dish out 28 hours of community service. That’s the punishment doled out to Kate Burns and Sheila Schroeder, a couple convicted Wednesday of trespassing for staging a sit in at the Denver county clerk’s office in protest of the Colorado law banning same-sex marriages. (more…)
May 2008
Not Quite Improved Enough
We don’t care much for losing, which is why disappointment was the first emotion to hit when we found out we didn’t take home a Maggie this year. Maggies, given out by the Western Publications Association, honor the best in the magazine business west of the Mississippi. (more…)
May 2008
Minor League, Major Press
Sure this may be a publicity stunt, but if it puts people in the seats, the Broomfield Dawgs, a minor league football team, will make no apologies. The team recently signed punter Rafael Mendoza, solidifying the position for the Colorado Football Conference team with a potential NFL prospect. (more…)
May 2008
A Religion and Border War
This is just getting nasty. Longmont and Firestone are once again in a land battle, and it appears now that LifeBridge Christian Church is at the center of it all. (more…)
May 2008
Finally Some FasTracks Progress
Usually FasTracks, RTD’s mega rapid transit train project, is synonymous with bad news—budgets, environmental problems, angry neighbors. But we’re starting to hear some progress. (more…)
May 2008
The Yellow Scene Shuffle
If you’ve picked up a copy of the May issue, you may have noticed a little disclaimer below Jim Spencer’s column. This was, in fact, his final piece for us. (more…)
May 2008
Must be That Time of Month Again
We have a few stalkers at Yellow Scene Magazine. Okay, they are really not stalkers at all. In fact they are some of our biggest fans and come the first week of the month, they start calling in asking a simple question: When is the next issue coming out? (more…)
April 2008
This Weekend’s Pick: A Case For a Good Cause
The thought of riding a bike across the United States can be overwhelming. But each summer, groups get together and trek the continent taking a few months to accomplish the impressive feat. Some even raise money for a good cause while doing it. (more…)
April 2008
All This For a Tourch?
This Olympic Torch ordeal is getting out of control. And, no, I am not referring to the whole human rights protesters.
That’s a whole different story. (more…)
April 2008
Getting Past the Stabbing
The Former UNC Punter Attacked by His Backup Starts His Pro Career—in Broomfield
This just in, the punter stabbed by his backup at the University of Northern Colorado has signed to play semi-pro football in Broomfield. There, we said it. We typically don’t break news at Yellow Scene Magazine, especially when it’s the scandal-driven type of story. We come out once a month and find our readers generally like a much slower narrative approach to our stories. (more…)
April 2008
Old vs. New, Take Two
I had to laugh when the Erie Review hit our doorstep this week, its front page story being an obvious follow up of a feature in our April issue. In our story, we told how Old Town Erie faces new struggles as development just a few blocks away at the so-called “Four Corners” continues to progress. Their perspective was much different. (more…)
April 2008
This Weekend’s Pick: Your Classic Man-Eating Plant Tale
Let’s face it, sometimes dinner and a movie aren’t enough for a date night. Spice it up a little this weekend with dinner, theater and a man-eating plant. (more…)
April 2008
A Little Tax Day Advice
I’m getting ready to drop my tax return off at the post office. This may be the earliest I’ve ever filed, a good seven hours before most mailing centers shutter for the day. (more…)
April 2008
This Weekend’s Pick: Helping You Understand The Running Man
There are influences of earlier moves in every generation of dance. The Charleston or a classic two-step, for example. Even the Running Man has its roots steeped in more traditional dance. (more…)
April 2008
There Are No Good Rules of Fight Club
Rule No. 1 about fight club: You don’t talk about fight club. Rule No. 2 about fight club: You don’t talk about fight club. Looks like more than a few boulder area high school students missed that part of the acclaimed Brad Pitt flick Fight Club. (more…)
April 2008
Curb Home Size Anyway
It looks like we spoke too soon. Just a few days ago, we predicted the Boulder Planning Board would recommend to city council to push forward with a temporary ordinance to limit the size of homes.
Guess they never say foresight is 20/20 for a reason. (more…)
April 2008
This Weekend’s Pick: YouTube Ballet
Ballet Nouveau's Web Competition Hits the Stage
The 21st Century Choreography Competition is a far leap from your typical tutus and classical music. (more…)
April 2008
Karma Always Comes Back To Haunt
It’s funny how things come around to bite in the end. Last year, Longmont scoffed at the idea of joining an effort to pool sales tax within Boulder County in an effort to stop towns from luring commercial development to borders to help pad sales tax coffers. Now Longmont is peeved at its Weld County counterpart Firestone for extending its borders too aggressively. Firestone extended its planning area to Longmont’s eastern border. Working with Boulder County governments wouldn’t have stopped this—but have you ever heard of karma?
What’s Next: Firestone will continue to map out the development it wants along the Longmont border while Longmont fumes.
April 2008
Who Needs To Be Superior Anyway
Paul Everitt is taking up his cause once more. Despite being a resident of Superior for less than two years, he’s convinced the town should dissolve and become part of Broomfield. He says this would save tons of money in infrastructure and service costs. He has little support—as he did when he first brought the issue up a year ago—though he certainly is genuine. He ran for a Board of Trustees seat (election results weren’t available at press time) pushing this agenda despite the implication that the elected seat would vanish if he gets his way.
What’s Next: Regardless if Everitt wins, his idea will go down—there’s too much involved in dissolving a town and too little support to do it.
April 2008
Another Border War?
It’s no secret that Broomfield upset a few of its neighbors when it aggressively annexed just about every piece of lucrative land it could get its hands on in the ’90s. Now it appears hurt feelings are popping up over the usage of some of that land. Broomfield is trying to move forward on a 145-acre mixed-use development on Erie’s east fringe. Erie thinks the new community will violate an agreement between the two that calls for an open space buffer. Broomfield says it is doing no wrong; Erie has sent a stern letter to their neighbor to the contrary.
What’s Next: While the two entities squabble over border rights, Erie will likely file a complaint. Litigation, anyone?
April 2008
A Lot Safer Than Sex
A year after being lambasted nationally for its role in a frank sex and drugs discussion in front of teens, Boulder High School reveled a much safer lineup of topics for its part in the Conference on World Affairs this month. Africa, Hollywood, social networking and the Constitution will be on the bill. During last year’s conference, “STDs: Sex, Teens and Drugs” drew national attention, after it focused, and in some ways encouraged, teens to have sex and try drugs. (more…)
April 2008
Too Big Inside City Limits, Too
The city of Boulder is taking a page out of the county commissioners’ notebook in trying to curb egregious-sized homes from being built. While details are still a ways away from being hammered out, by the time this magazine hits newsstands, an interim restriction will likely be offered to city council—and this will slow the rush of permits being filed by developers concerned over potential size limits. Supporters say huge homes destroy the character of Boulder’s established neighborhoods. County commissioners have grappled with curbing home size in unincorporated parts of the county. Both efforts have pitted smart growth advocates against developers.
What’s Next: City council will likely approve a six-month interim restriction this month; then grab a front row seat for the sure-to-be long and ugly public battle.
April 2008
This Weekend’s Entertainment Pick: Tristan Prettyman
As a native Californian, I tend to be drawn to musicians who embody that laid-back, sunny lifestyle that brings me back to the beach, however far away I may be. Tristan Prettyman captures that spirit with charming, soulful lyrics in which she willingly shares stories about her life. She also happens to be a native of the Golden State, not that I’m bias or anything. (more…)
March 2008
Pink-faced in Boulder
C’mon Boulder. We know you are the most P.C. city in the nation but you are going a little too far in one of your most recent cases of protecting animals. Joy Douglas, a local salon owner, dyed her poodle pink—making Cici a breast-awareness dog. (more…)
March 2008
Boiling Point
Cheers to Our Health
Universal healthcare, Republicans facing off against Democrats, Gov. Bill Ritter’s legacy—these were the headlines expected as politicians faced off to fix Colorado’s growing problem of uninsured residents. (more…)
March 2008
Size is Such An Arbitrary Issue
The Boulder County Commissioners finally have a housing size limit plan endorsed by the planning commission—it’s just missing a cap for extreme-sized homes. The commission sent a final version calling for commissioners to curb the building of huge homes in unincorporated county. But the advisory panel wasn’t comfortable keeping the controversial size caps—most recently 3,500 square feet in the mountains, 5,500 in the plains. If commissioners want a cap, they’ll be approving it without backing from the planning commission.
What’s Next: Commissioners will discuss and/or act on the planning commission’s recommendation in March.
March 2008
Obama, the frontrunner
Just a few months ago, it seemed Sen. Barack Obama’s campaign to be the Democrat presidential candidate was a long shot at best. (more…)
February 2008
We’re Bribing You To Interact With Us
It took us the better part of eight months to put this new website together—this technology stuff is still a little new to us—but we really think you’re gonna love it. Beyond a new look and easy interface, we’ll be adding expanded searches for restaurants, shops and local businesses in the coming weeks. (more…)
February 2008
Going Bonanza For a Super Market
Much to the chagrin of Erie Airpark residents, it appears that a 200-foot road will be built between Vista Ridge Parkway and Bonanza Road, connecting two communities in the name of luring a shopping center. Oh, and to make the controversy seem non-controversial, the town has now found another reason to build the road: public safety. Since there’s only one road into the Airpark now, it can take 11 minutes or more for an ambulance to reach homes in this neighborhood. Apparently, Airpark developers promised residents the connection would never be made, although the town never said that. For both financial gains—the project would make the intersection at Highway 7 and Bonanza lucrative—and safety reasons, we support the town.
What’s Next: Residents are upset since a developer promised them the road wouldn’t be built; the town looks to move ahead anyway.
February 2008
An Annoying Detour
Applaud the town of Erie for completing the road project that has Briggs Street now connecting all the way to Leon A. Whurl Parkway. It’ll make business in Old Town boom. But don’t get down on the town for closing off the Perry Street connection from County Road 8 to Briggs that forces those heading from I-25 into Old Town into a permanent, annoying two-minute detour. Officials admit it’s not the ideal situation, but the railroad company won’t allow another crossing over its dormant tracks, just in case the tracks go live, say for a commuter train to Boulder.
What’s Next: We’re happy to hear a commuter line is possible—even if it’s decades off—and the town will tear up the closed off section and replace it with something green by spring.
January 2008
Squat Long Enough And Thou Shall Be Rewarded
We’re guessing the Kirlins won’t be baking fresh cookies for their south Boulder neighbors of more than 25 years anytime soon. The Kirlins, Don and Susie, just lost about a third of a 4,750-square-foot parcel behind their home on Hardscrabble Drive. The reason: adverse possession. Neighbors Richard McLean and Edith Stevens proved they used the land as a shortcut to their property for at least 18 years, while the Kirlins never touched the vacant parcel. A judge ruled that this obscure law essentially gave the neighbors squatter’s rights.
What’s Next: The Kirlins will appeal the decision, and we hope the state legislature is taking notice and changes this archaic law.
January 2008
Well, That Didn’t Take Long
During the election campaign season last month, city leaders in Northglenn, Westminster and Thornton all spoke of how they longed for new professional development inside their city limits. These communities have struggled to recruit high-paying jobs, and luring healthcare facilities became a top priority. It didn’t take long for Westminster to get its hands on major development. Centura Health announced plans in November to build a 126-acre development at 144th and I-25—a $300 million medical park that should help immensely in luring primary, high-paying jobs.
What’s Next: Within two miles of the project, which will break ground in mid-2008, there are 14 active and five proposed housing developments. Westminster is prime for growth.
January 2008
Changed Landscape, Indeed
The massive LifeBridge church development has indeed changed Longmont’s landscape. Politically speaking, at least. After Longmont annexed the 348 acres for a mega church development, voters, who’d already sent the issue back to a special election, elected a bloc of candidates adamantly opposed to the project and the direction of city council in general. The slate includes councilmember Karen Benker, who lost a bid for the mayor’s seat, and newcomers Brian Hansen, Sean Patrick McCoy and Sarah Levison. A Jan. 29 vote will decide on LifeBridge and a new council member to fill the at-large seat left by new mayor Roger Lange.
What’s Next: The bloc could strengthen if the annexation is overturned and Richard Juday, a staunch supporter of the winning slate, wins the vacated seat.
January 2008
Think $100 Will Stop The Purchase Of An SUV?
Banking on sticker shock to deter Colorado residents from buying gas-guzzling cars and trucks seems like somewhat of a stretch, considering the so-called “shock” may come in the form of a tiny $100 tax. Rep. Claire Levy, D-Boulder, plans to introduce legislation in early 2008 that would impose a one-time “gas guzzler” tax on the purchase of cars that don’t meet a certain miles per gallon threshold (likely 20 or 25). The money would be used to fund the state’s Office of Smart Growth. Levy thinks the minimal surcharge would get people to think twice about buying a Suburban or other gas-wasting SUV. It doesn’t seem that a paltry hundred bucks will dissuade someone already considering the purchase of a $35,000 truck.
What’s Next: We wait for the start of the legislative session in January (and Levy being labeled a “tree-hugger”) and hope that any legislation passed will have more teeth than a C-Note.
January 2008
Big Box Retailer Getting Smaller
The SuperTarget on Highway 287 in Lafayette may not be all that super when all is said and done. The developers of the project have scaled the size of the super retail store back, yet Lafayette’s projections for the sales tax cash it will receive remains unchanged. Something has to give considering the project will now be 45,000 square feet smaller. Luckily, the city gave its incentives, for the most part, in rebates, meaning it hasn’t really wasted any money. If SuperTarget sells tons of gear anyway, the rebate that’s capped at $4 million will be worthwhile.
What’s Next: Bonnie Star, the city’s development director, surmises the smaller project could leave more room for other development next door.
November 2007
Text Message Carefully, Please
A lesson we learned a long time ago was you shouldn’t text message something you don’t want others to read—trust us. But what is on your cell phone is private, which is why the American Civil Liberties Union blasted Louisville’s Monarch High for reading and transcribing students’ texts. More than a dozen students reported having cell phones taken and text messages read during seemingly routine run-ins with security. The school says it acted within its rights. The ACLU says laws were broken. Boulder Valley schools backed up Monarch.
What’s Next: District officials are reconsidering text-reading policy. We hope they figure out privacy wins in this case.
November 2007
Round 2 Goes To Grassroots Effort
After watching city leaders almost unanimously approve the annexation and development plan for Lifebridge church to build a mini-city near Union Reservoir, Longmont residents took to the streets to gather signatures of protest. Six-thousand signatures later, the city council opted not to reconsider its decision and instead sent the issue to voters. It’s a sticky issue that will more than likely effect the Nov. 6 election as candidates for all offices have been pegged as to whether they support the Lifebridge project.
What’s Next: Voters will see this question on a special election ballot in late January/early February.
November 2007
Broomfield Center Finally On The Rise
After struggling with entertainment bookings for its first year—sans the obligatory games that come with housing two minor league sports teams—the Broomfield Event Center has landed a huge act: Cirque du Soleil. Perhaps hiring Gene Felling as its manager this summer is beginning to pay dividends. He came to Broomfield with much fanfare after a successful stint at The Forum in Los Angeles. The Cirque show, titled “Saltimbanco,” runs Dec. 3-13. It marks its return to the Denver area after a successful run downtown a few years back.
What’s Next: We’ll see if this momentum continues and what else Felling can lure to town. We’re also still waiting for Bob Dylan to stop by.
November 2007
Whose Blight Is It Anyway?
Longmont officials will spend $6,000 to study Twin Peaks Mall to determine if it meets criteria to be deemed blighted. If so, it could qualify for a tax-financed redevelopment. This seems a bit curious considering Panattoni Development Co. recently bought the mall, and word is it plans on drastic improvements. It seems like this study is little more than a precursor to spending buku bucks to help a developer with deep pockets—Panattoni built the Lowe’s complex on 119. We’re not against incentives; in this case, Longmont should be offering rebates instead of cash up front. This comes in the wake of the city opting not to fund a regional tax sharing study that could help cities avoid fighting to lure retailers with incentives. Hmmm.
What’s Next: We wait for yet another city to give away everything to a developer in the hopes of luring vital sales tax dollars.
November 2007
Two Towns Too Small to Not Share Schools’ Cash
There’s a storm brewing in Carbon Valley, and it has nothing to do with a quick moving monsoon typical of the season. Frederick is mad at Firestone, and town leaders are airing the dirty laundry in public. Firestone says its holding onto $145,000 from development fees that was earmarked for St. Vrain Valley School District needs. (more…)
September 2007
‘It’s Annexing War’
It’s the age-old question. If one town annexes the land that a state highway is paved on, and another grabs a drainage ditch that runs underneath, who gets the nearby plot for lucrative commercial development? Okay, so this never really comes up, but the Town of Frederick recently took the unusual step of voting to take over a swath of land under Highway 52 near the intersection of County Road 5. Erie already owns the rights to the highway as well as some wetlands the drainage ditch leads to. “It’s annexing war,” says a displeased Erie Mayor Andrew Moore, although he avoided talking further on the topic since it’s now in litigation. (more…)
July 2007
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