Sex Sells
Dear Editor,
Nice cover (“Best of the West,” April). Never been into cowboys, but he could change my mind.
—Ruth Meere, Lafayette

Editor’s Note: Sorry ladies, our cowboy is spoken for.

The Old Needs Some Love
Dear Editor,
Thank you, Jacob Harkins, for your thought-provoking piece on Old Town Erie (“Out With the Old, In With New,” April). Here is my point of view: Notoriously under represented since development took hold in the 1990s, Old Town remains overlooked by a government ever eager to cater to corporate greed. The Briggs Street extension, a proposed Business District, keeping the Post Office at Briggs and Wells—these are after-thoughts, puny postscripts that don’t even begin to address our problems. Substantial opportunities, such as the new library or community center, are built elsewhere. It doesn’t make sense, when the Town of Erie owns many parcels within Old Town, which are suitable for development—Linear Park, for example. We have become a community of short-term residents. For better or worse, as a society, we are more mobile and less connected to each other. How many of our elected officials have blithely moved on to greener pastures after permanently altering the character and composition of the town that many of us hold dear? Please spare us the gratuitous window dressing, folks. How about a fair shake?
—Liz Fisher, Erie

Have Some Class, Please
Dear Editor,
I was very disappointed with the commentary in the current issue of Yellow Scene. You mentioned the incident of the priest running naked on the track (“Best of the West: Best Running Loop,” April). Why was it necessary to include this? It is offensive to the entire church to joke at the expense of the priest. If that is how you get readers, I would not recommend this publication to others—the “joke” was truly offensive.
—Adrienne Barlow, Erie

Editor’s Note: Apparently we only made ourselves laugh with this pick. Sorry!

Let’s Talk About Karma
Dear Editor,
That “Karma” you speak of could return to those who earned it. Yes, Boulder did invite Longmont to participate in the study on pooling sales tax within the county (“Boiling Point,” April). And, yes, Longmont declined—one further example of the ineptitude of the previous city council. The council elected in November did resurrect the subject at a joint Longmont City Council/Boulder County Commissioners meeting, but by that time it was too late as the study was nearly completed.

The “border war” with Firestone, however, is a separate issue altogether. LifeBridge/Corporation for Community Christian Connection (4C) is the instigator of this warfare with the assistance of outgoing Firestone Mayor Mike Simone, whose thought processes are more than a little warped, as reported in a number of outlets. LifeBridge desperately wants annexation into a cit—any city—for many reasons, not the least of which is saving a ton of money on water. They don’t give a hoot who they can sucker into this, just as long as they can. Whoever gets this, will enter into religious-tax-exemption hell. But they can’t say they weren’t warned about Colorado Title 39, Article 3, Section 106.

Fortunately the City of Longmont has had the good judgment to tell Firestone to stay out of our backyard and will back that up in the courts. The community of Longmont has spoken loudly and clearly on many occasions. We don’t want development around Union Reservoir. It is a very sensitive bald eagle ecosystem, among other environmental concerns.

Perhaps one of these days—sooner rather than later—LifeBridge will put its intentions where its rhetoric is, spare the area the divisiveness, and just GO AWAY!
—Kaye Fissinger, Longmont

So Many Choices, So Little Time
Dear Editor,
Best of the West made me very proud of the community where I live (“Best of the West,” April). I’m surprised so many businesses were voted for in Lafayette (where I live). YEA. I highlighted all the business that I want to visit in ALL areas. I usually don’t venture to Longmont; but I’m going to start. Thanks.
—Cristi Moore, Lafayette

How Am I Supposed To Put The Moves On My Spouse
Dear Editor,
This really hits home (“A Whole New List of Pet Peeves,” April). When our family goes out or even just stays home for dinner, the rule is that all cell phones are turned off. We are there to be a family and talk. Not texting their boyfriends/girlfriends, not playing games, and not checking their e-mail. I thought that having a computer at home was to do most of that.

I just hate the lack of etiquette as far as cell phones go. When you are in a romantic restaurant there is nothing more infuriating than having someone else’s cell phone ring to the tune of Queen’s “Another One Bites the Dust” while you are trying to put the sexy eye move on your spouse. Thanks for letting me comment—sorry, vent.
—Diana Holden, Frederick

You Guys Are The Best
Dear Editor,
Haven’t had a lot of time to read much more than the Best picks (“Best of the West,” April), but that was great! Had been sick for a full week, so I took the magazine out to my backyard and just perused the “best” while I soaked up a bit of sun. It was great!
—Nancy Owen, Lafayette

Love The Trendy NoBo Advice
Dear Editor,
I appreciated the article on NoBo (“Check Out: NoBo,” April). I often go to Pearl Street but I forget about going to NoBo—I look forward to trying some of the businesses you wrote about.
—Veronica Daly, Erie

May 2008

Finally Someone Got It Right About The LifeBridge Project
Dear Editor,
Wow! What a terrific article. You have hit the high points, pointed out the flaws and helped readers understand what is at stake with this huge LifeBridge project (“Jim Spencer: Separation of Church and Real Estate,” November).

I was a petition circulator in September, gathering 722 signatures, talking to folks and realizing how people need to be heard by our representatives. You phrased it well when you referred to our elected officials as politicians. That’s what this has come down to—politics and money.
Ironically, the church worship center isn’t even going to be built until 2020; city council gave them that time frame in the annexation agreement. Now isn’t that the strangest thing you ever heard: a church building an events center, upper-end homes, condos, senior living centers, commercial areas, and the last thing on their minds and construction agenda is a church sanctuary?

That’s bizarre.

Again, great job on helping everyone understand what is really going on. I appreciate the editorial staff at The Yellow Scene for allowing this information to be printed. You’d be amazed how often information is stifled, regardless of what side of an issue one is on.

Thanks! You’ve said it better than anyone so far.

Norma Hockett-Figgs
Longmont

On The Other Hand, Spencer’s Off On LifeBridge
Dear Editor,
I would like to respond to Jim Spencer’s article (“Separation of Church and Real Estate,” November). Mr. Spencer, I don’t agree with your assessment that this annexation proposal is as you describe it. Doug Wray’s sounds bites, “I get a mansion in heaven, not here,” are good news fodder but seriously misstate what the project and LifeBridge are about. This church is one that is putting its hands where its mouth is and following one of Jesus’ primary teachings: Put others before yourself.
This group of believers truly gets out into the community and helps where no one else will, lifts up those who need it most and serves others when no one else is looking. Your article sheds no light on this community-oriented congregation but mocks the church’s efforts to do more with quips of GOD and PUD statements. No matter what happens with this project, LifeBridge and other area churches will only increase their service towards others. I am personally in favor of supporting others in our community, and maybe a vote of 6-1 on the council is really six seeing actions before words.
Eric Jepsen
Longmont

Churches Shouldn’t Be Big Business
Dear Editor,
All across America, churches—typically megachurches—are engaging in what are fundamentally business activities. There’s a theme park in Florida, a lovely beach pavilion and boardwalk in New Jersey, a sports center in Alaska, a merchandise mart, and a “Village” in North Carolina. These are not unlike Longmont’s recently annexed 348-acre LifeBridge church’s mixed-use development. LifeBridge plans waterfront estates, a grocery store anchor, a sports arena, an assortment of other housing, restaurants, shops, schools, and the list goes on.

These churches have a penchant for organizing their business activities under tax-exempt entities (like 4C).

And it appears that labeling an activity as a “ministry” is sufficient to make it tax exempt.

Jesus threw the money changers out of the temple.

There’s a lesson in that, one too many churches are obviously ignoring. There’s lots of money to be made and usually the ministers behind these projects will readily admit that they hope to convert the unconverted to Jesus and a specific Biblical interpretation.

In January, Longmont has the opportunity to repeal the disastrous actions of the previous city council and say, “No, not in my city!” I trust they will do just that.

Kaye Fissinger
Longmont

In Search Of Error-Free Copy
Dear Editor,
In your October issue of The Yellow Scene, it is apparent to me that your editor and writers should familiarize themselves with the dictionary. In your article about the Great American Beer Festival, you advise your readers to clean their palette. While this is sound advice if the reader is an artist, beer tasters would probably do well rather to cleanse their palates. Later on, in your Cuisine Scene column, your headline informs us that the new Nine75 restaurant either caters to Arab chieftains or serves them up on a platter. I am not sure which. But, it certainly doesn’t convince me that it therefore is a chic place to dine. Yours in search of more correct use of the English Language.
Stuart Maybee
Longmont

Editor’s Note: Umm, yeah. We wish we had something clever to say in our defense. Since we don’t, we’ll just own up to the errors.

I Endorse Your Endorsements
Dear Editor,
I totally agreed with on your endorsements for candidates and issues (“Pick Your Candidate,” November). Your analysis was insightful and clear, and I appreciated the amount of effort you took.
Marci Bowman
Longmont

Editor’s Note: Thanks for noticing; it took a ton of hard work and a whole lot of espresso.

We Love The Pumpkins, And The Yellow Scene
Dear Editor,
Thank you for the Pumpkins and More passes! I will be looking for them in the mail. We read your magazine at work and receive it at home as well—keep up the great work! The articles are always interesting and you keep us up to date on our own community (and they well written—many newspaper and magazine articles are choppy and seemingly unedited). And it never hurts to giveaway free totally cool stuff!
Thank you again!
Megan Elenbaas
Westminster

January 2008

Ghost Stories Not Welcome In Our Home
Dear Editor,
When The Yellow Scene arrived in our mailbox today, I initially flipped to “Bloodbath in the Burbs” (October) expecting the usual “slightly irreverent” article with some interesting, entertaining historical notes. The first few entries met that expectation quite well. Then I glanced at the headings on the second page and saw Angevine Middle School listed, as well as Niwot and Fairview High. Not only were the schools’ supposed hauntings written up, but their grisly murders were as well. As the parent of an 8 year old who goes to Angevine for some classes, I was horrified. Not by the murder—since I didn’t know about it I assume it happened quite a while ago and is irrelevant now—but by the fact that people masquerading as journalists would be so incredibly irresponsible as to include schools in this article.
There are two serious consequences to your decision:
1. The majority of students attending these schools today do not know about those murders. Hearing about them is going to scare a lot of kids.
2. There are people that will decide it would be a lark to go around and visit all the places on your list.
Where before The Yellow Scene was a welcome item in our mailbox, it no
longer is.
—Tamara McCarty

Editor’s Note: Most of these ghost tales (lore as far as we can tell) are widely known throughout the area and can be found easily on the Internet—we’re guessing these children hear worse around the campfire.

The Unheralded Editor’s Comment
Dear Editor,
I commend you for standing by your opposition to a bill opposing President Bush’s Iraqi war (Letters, October). Although I am against the war in Iraq, this was time wasted. Bush has proved time and time again that he does what he wants no matter who opposes it, no matter what the actual intelligence suggests. Time would have been better spent working on pushing for statewide universal health care. Having recently lived in the U.K., I know first hand how much better off everyone (doctors included) would be if the U.S. would adopt a National Health Care System. It’s time for the U.S. to join every other industrialized nation and offer health care to every single citizen (and to those holding visas). Colorado could and should be the pioneer in the future of health care in our country.
—Anne Spear, Lafayette

Dear Editor,
The Yellow Scene’s statement (Letters, October) about the state legislature trying to pass a “meaningless resolution” opposing the Iraq war was the most misinformed comment I’ve ever read in The Yellow Scene. Every federal dollar spent on a fruitless war is a federal grant dollar not available to states, cities, counties and school districts. Just ask local officials, school superintendents and transit managers whose local match for federal funding has become 80 percent when it used to be 20. (I still heart The Yellow Scene, though!)
—Joanne Greek

Editor’s Note: We’ll have to agree to disagree. And we heart you too for continuing to read us.

Clarification: Without trying, we scared a few people into thinking the North Metro area is home to dozens of grizzly murders at schools, city buildings, etc. (“Bloodbath in the ’Burbs, October). While we are not saying these didn’t happen, in many cases it was tough to verify the root of the real-life haunts, and we should have made it clear that these are likely ghost lore.

November 2007

Sift Through The Sarcasm
Dear Editor,
Instead of poking fun at an event (“Ollying the Bible,” September), we should appreciate that local churches are willing to pioneer new means of connecting with younger generations. In a country that raises its eyebrows disapprovingly at the name “Jesus” thus an uphill battle for the church to interest youth. I think that meeting kids where they are at is indeed a great marketing strategy. When there are so many other directions vying for a kid’s attention, why shouldn’t the church compete even harder? I hope some readers were able to see through the sarcastic tone of the article and value the creative effort of the church to engage in kids’ lives.
—Amy Helling, Lafayette

Erie Trying To Grab Too Much Land
Dear Editor,
If the Town of Erie was going to build an attached trail along County Line Road (“Boiling Point: That Evil Word: Condemnation,” August), within their existing road right-of-way, don’t you think it would actually already be built? What the town is not telling everyone is that they want an additional 30 feet from the existing right-of-way for it to be a “detached” meandering trail. That’s a big difference for the homeowners who live along County Line and only have a 45-foot setback from the road.

Additionally, there are other options Erie has yet to explore for a truly Safe Route to School, located on the boundary between the proposed Lost Creek Farm and Osprey Development.
I think if we want what’s truly best and safest for our children, let’s demand a look at all the options.
—Marie Lin Gabriella, County Line Road Resident, Unincorporated Boulder County

We Loathe That You Loathe Us
Dear Editor,
I loathed that The Yellow Scene found a resolution opposing the Iraq War “meaningless” (“Slumber Session,” June). Your obvious hostility toward taking a principled stand promotes apathy. Chalk one more publication up to being part of the problem and not the solution. I now loathe The Yellow Scene.
—Amy Meier, Longmont

Editor’s Note: We loathe getting hate mail, but in this case we stand by our position that state lawmakers should be more concerned with Colorado’s education, roads and healthcare than bickering over a bill opposing President Bush’s Iraq War.

Some Love From Loyal Readers
Dear Editor,
YEAHHHHHHH!!!!!
Does The Yellow Scene have a comment line or place to provide any feedback? We love all the freebies you guys do. They’re wonderful!!! Thanks!
—Jacquie Velasquez, Frederick

Dear Editor,
You guys are amazing. Thanks.
—David Glow, Lafayette

Dear Editor,
Thank-you so much! You just made my day. You’re the best!
—Patricia Hunter, Lafayette

Editor’s Note: Yes, we love to bribe readers into loving us by giving away food, tickets and all sorts of other cool stuff. You’ll love us to if you become a Subscriber Card member and start winning. Click here for details.

Corrections: They Might Be Giants have done a lot of things in its career, but they never wrote that catching Istanbul song as we reported (“They Might Still Be New Wave,” September). They just sang it into pop culture history. Also, in an ad for Rocky Mountain Pumpkin Ranch, we gave you the wrong website.

October 2007

You Guys Are Awesome
Dear Editor,
Thank you so much for mentioning Left Hand grange No. 9 in the ‘Old Town Niwot’ article (“Check Out Niwot,” August 2007). We greatly appreciate the publicity.
—Dorinda Dembroski, Left Hand Grange No 9

Dear Editor,
I wanted to thank you for the nice article about Niwot in this new issue and for the special plug you gave my store! I think it’s time you came out for a visit to shop, and pick something out for yourself on me to show my gratitude!
—Rockin’ Robin, Niwot

Editor’s Note: Ah shucks, we’re flattered our new feature exploring North Metro downtowns was such a hit, although we don’t take freebies for our work. Our picks for this feature are based on unbiased opinions we gather during our field trips to the areas. We went to Old Town Lafayette this month; check it out here.

Here’s My Tree-Huggin’ Scorecard
Dear Editor,
I just read your July editorial (“A Few Shades Shy of Green,” Opening Scene, July). Kudos for printing your personal environmental scorecard. I absolutely agree with the notion that most of us would love to reduce our impact on the environment if it just wasn’t so darned inconvenient—or expensive—or (my personal favorite) overwhelming.

I think sometimes we forget that we don’t have to boil the oceans, so to speak. We don’t have to fix everything all by ourselves all at once. Every little bit helps! The changes that you are making (carpooling, florescent bulbs, etc.) are an excellent example of this approach. It made me reflect on my own scorecard.

Like how I let the sprinkler run in the yard on hot days so the puppies don’t get overheated. Not a very good practice, but I do monitor it closely and turn it off frequently. I also treat them to all the ice cubes they can lick as a more environmentally friendly cooling technique. On the plus side, I also turn the water off when brushing my teeth, and I don’t run the dishwasher unless it’s full. I drive across town to recycle cardboard, and I have the biggest recycle bin on the block. I do drive an SUV, but I bought a TerraPass to help offset its carbon emissions. The bottom line is, I’m not a card-carrying tree hugger either, but I do what I can, and I’m aware of what I do on both sides of the scorecard.

Thanks for your time and attention. I can honestly say that I’m an avid fan of The Yellow Scene.
—Debra Jennings, Longmont

The Hemp Scene
Dear Editor,
I just read your article (“A Few Shades Shy of Green,” Opening Scene, July) and was impressed by your frank self-examination. My attention focused on the 65,000 copies per month of your magazine. That immediately brought to mind hemp. I am no expert on hemp and just recently started educating myself about it, however, it seems obvious to a layperson that the logging and paper industries wield their power to prevent legislation legalizing this amazing plant. It is a superior product to trees in every facet of agriculture, industry, economy and ecology. It specifically provides superior paper for printing. There are legal hemp products being used today on a limited basis, and they are safe and have no association with the use of drugs.

Here are some websites to investigate: http://www.naihc.org/

Perhaps you might be an example for change! I really don’t know why I’m writing you. This is the first time I have written anyone in the media about anything – and it’s the first time I’ve ever written or spoken about hemp.
I’m not even sure if your magazine could legally buy hemp paper here in Colorado, but maybe they can.
—Dawn Thibault

Cover It Up
Dear Editor,
Lose the trashy T-Bar ad. That’s the last time I let my 11-year-old daughter peruse The Yellow Scene. Yeah, I know ya need ad money wherever ya can get it, but it looked trashy.
—Anonymous

Editor’s Note: T-Bar is just selling tasteful lingerie, and a kid playing at the city pool sees the same stuff.

It’s All A Cover Up
Dear Editor
I agree Mr. Wrecking Ball (“Smokin Discussion,” Wrecking Ball, July). Keep the ban going, boycott all of the major fast food conglomerates from movies. Why stop there? Do you know the real reason Americans are angry? Go after the microwave food industry and the microwave industry. People need to know the truth about microwaves programming them. You mustn’t forget about the fluorescent lights! Fluorescent lights are programming you to use microwaves, the microwaves are programming you to smoke and eat and gorge yourself all the while making you angry from the constant agitation of food particles. Look at us all constantly at war for what? Nobody knows. It’s the microwaves and fluorescent lights constantly picking at our brains until we boil and start a war.
—Brando Calariesian