Stolen - Schwinn Beach Cruisers - His and Hers - Reward - $100 (Denver)

Keep your eyes out for a couple of drunks swerving down the street on a matching pair of turquoise and yellow Schwinn Beach Cruisers. More info here:

http://denver.craigslist.org/bik/1621309041.html

How do more people in this neighborhood not get hit by cars?

It should be happening every single day the way people act over here.

Between the old-timer drunks that see you coming and dare you to hit them by walking right out in front of you, to the kids that carelessly just run into the street, it's like a game of Frogger around here most days.

Just today, I almost hit some kid as he ran right out in front of my bike as I rode by his house on Franklin. If I hadn't been paying attention, it would have been ugly for both of us. I shouted to the kid "You've gotta be careful, or you're going to get hit, buddy!". I then heard a voice from a front porch on the east side of the road a few houses up: "No he won't, I'm watching him from over here." I was flabbergasted. "Did you see me almost run over your boy on my bike?"

Her response? "F*ck you!"

No doubt the kid has a bright future in fast food (or jail) with parenting like that. (Assuming he doesn't get flattened by an El Camino before he turns 14.)

Today's photo tour of Denver's Cole Neighborhood

Know how ships have waterlines? Buildings in the barrio have graffiti lines. Lines above which the little punk kids cannot reach; below where you paint over graffiti with whatever closeout paint you can find at Home Depot.

More interesting is this highly-sophisticated data analysis showing historical change in Cole's graffiti line. As you'll see it's been steadily rising since the turn of the century. Clearly yet another of the world's problems we can blame on global warming. Note that there in fact was no graffiti line in cole until the 1930's. That's because the neighborhood kids back then were working 20 hour days in the smelters, and didn't have enough energy left over after their shifts to devote to tomfoolery. The remarkable growth in the height of the graffiti line really took hold after 1950 when the Burger King went in and kids started growing taller.

Kids in Cole have it so much easier today. They clearly have nothing but time on their hands. Time to tag garages, break into houses, and stand aimlessly in front of the Golden Gate Market. In fact, the punk graffiti writers even have their own vending machine center, to keep them properly hydrated during their covert activities, conveniently located on Bruce Randolph near Williams. Have you seen it? I can see the little gang bangers now: After spray-painting my back alley, sitting down over an icey cold Pimp Juice, and one of 'em says: "Homies, shit just don't git any better than this."

On an unrelated note, Cole is also where you see the absolute newest, hottest design trends (no secret here). Here's the latest style making its way over from Paris, the "Doorgate". or the "Porte de Porte" as those snobby French call it. And you thought this guy just re-purposed a crappy old front door as a gate to his serene backyard oasis, didn't you? Wrong! Get yours now before all your neighbors do, and the price triples.

American Bulldog Pup Missing in Whittier/Cole

Was at the dogpark today and was approached by a guy driving around looking for his lost dog. No, not a Pitt. He's missing a gray-and-white American Bulldog pup. I *think* he said his address was 2848 Humboldt? If this guy is reading and I've got it wrong (I likely might) please post a comment. Otherwise, if you find this pup I would go to 2800 Humboldt and see if anyone knows a bigger white bald guy. Or post a notice at the dog park. Thanks.

Missing "Pitt" Bull

Just got back from the Fuller dog park. Anyone noticed the signs up about the lost "Pitt Bull"?

Now before I get started on this topic, let me say that I think Pits can be wonderful dogs, and I'm sad when I hear that anyone has lost their dog. So if it's your dog, and you are a responsible owner and love your dog as much as I love mine, I certainly hope you find it.
But I find it potentially unwise to advertise that you lost an illegal breed dog at a Denver city-funded facility. Not worthy of the Darwin Awards but potentially could result in the reduction of the Pit Bull gene pool by at least one dog, if the city finds the dog first.

But then again, it actually was a "Pitt Bull" (with two "T's"). Hmmm, what's a Pitt Bull? A breed from Pittsburgh? Or is this some weak attempt to hide the dog's real pedigree? I can picture the breed description now.

"Originally bred to guard steel mills, the Pittsburgh Bull Terrier has been bred over time to be a loyal family dog with an affection for Primanti Brothers Sandwiches and Heinz Ketchup. Common health issues include joint problems and heart attacks due to a diet primarily based on Primanti Brothers Sandwiches."

Needs No Words

My neighbor sent me a link to this today:

I might actually get one.

(For those of you that don't know, this is from a funny article by Eli Kearney  from way back in 2006).

Sh*t my wife says

I realized that my wife says "Hmmm.... What do we have going on over here?" in only two very specific (and different)instances since we moved into Cole Neighborhood.

One, when she sees something suspicious.

Two, when she sees another house being fixed up.

And I have to admit she's been using it in the second context much more frequently as of late.

Local Business Spotlight: Palma Cigar Company

Readers of this marvelous online publication know that I am a big fan of locally-owned businesses. Businesses started by an entrepreneur that believed they had something unique to offer the marketplace--And apparently do, since their businesses are viable.

One of the key benefits of living in the "vibrant" Cole Neighborhood (They were calling it sketchy but they couldn't sell any homes there) is that it so close to downtown Denver. It's literally a quick bike ride away, and of course, there are all kinds of cool restaurants, bars, and businesses down there.

One really neat independently-owned business is Palma Cigar Company, on 22nd and Larimer in LoDo. I came across it last year when I saw his cigar-store indian on the side of the street and noticed his signage promising "hand-rolled cigars".

Turns out the proprietor of Palma Cigar Company, Clay Carlton, is an expert barber and provides some of the best haircuts you'll find in downtown Denver. And it turns out that he just doesn't sell hand-rolled cigars, he actually makes 'em himself! Now whether you like cigars or not, I think you'd agree that it's pretty darned cool that this guy went to the trouble of training under a Cuban master roller to learn his trade. That's like a karate student training under Bruce Lee. Pretty cool stuff. Clay actually goes down to the Dominican Republic every few weeks to source his high-quality tobaccos for import. So just like the big name cigars, he controls his product from selecting the tobaccos, to blending them, and hand-rolling them.

Palma Cigar has a huge walk-in humidor that like most humidors, smells like heaven. (Why is it that cigars smell so good before you light 'em, but smell so bad after you do?). Palma Cigar has five or six different blends, each very smooth and tasty. Palma Cigars also carries some other big-name brands to complement Clay's own stogies. The shop also has a decent selection of humidors (Lamborghini humidors!), cigar cutters, cigar lighters, and other accoutrements. He'll even do custom cigars for events, weddings, bachelor parties, you name it.

But that's not all. In addition to handmade cigars and expert haircuts, Palma Cigar now has a wine and cigar bar on location. So those of you cigar smokers that have lamented the coming of the smoking ban, you have one place where you can enjoy your cigar with a high-quality Colorado-made wine--Palma Cigar Company.

The final reason why I wanted to write about Clay and Palma Cigar is that he's also the proprietor of Cigars To The Troops, a non-profit that sends high quality cigars to our deserving troops overseas. Oh, and he's just an interesting guy to talk to, as well.

So if you like cigars, you've got to give Palma Cigar's line a try. If you need a haircut in Denver, look Clay up. And if you don't like cigars, or don't have any hair, I encourage you to make the day of one of our awesome military men and women by making a donation to Cigars To The Troops.

Palma Cigar is open Tuesday through Sunday right now. Check it out, and tell Clay how you learned about him.

Changes coming in Cole?

Walking the dogs today, I was surprised to see two upcoming changes in businesses in the area:

First, The Econo Mart is going out of business, and their spot in the Down-and-Out Super building is up for lease. I guess with the recession and all used Salsa CD's and black-light prints of Jesus Christ and Tupac aren't selling like they used to. What do you all think, has Cole transformed enough yet to attract a quality business to the neighborhood, like a bank branch, a Subway, or better yet, a coffee house? Or will yet another Latino thrift store go back in?

Just as interesting was when I walked by the old Tosh's Hacienda/Kiva//Blackberries Lounge building, now being used by Exdo as an annex to their events center. The sign on the North side of the building says "Swallows Video Lounge", whatever that is. It appears it's just using the southwest corner of the building perhaps? Anyone have any idea on this one? I can't find any website or info for this business online.

Pics From A Recent Dog Walk

Boy, you pretty much can't go for a walk in Cole without seeing something funny. I'm going to try to share more of these sights through this blog in the days to come. Here are a couple recent pics:

You usually get more than you bargained  for when you buy a home in Cole. Here, you not only get the house, but a stylish new belt.

Ahh, the Happy Tagger. Sharing peace, goodwill, and  positivity by vandalizing private property all over Cole.

No coffee shop at 37th and Franklin?

Just found this article suggesting the place is for rent again:

http://www.listown.com/parking-storage/dv/200912/138949.htm

Sounds like she's renting both sides (3700 and 3704)...

Hmmm... anyone know the story?

Five Points makes it on South Park

Didn't see this coming, huh?

http://www.thedenverchannel.com/news/21914329/detail.html?taf=den

Where's a guy supposed to go?

So I just got my District 2 Newsletter, which included notes about the seasonal removal of "portolets" (Porto-Johns, Ameri-Cans, you know) from many parks. And I quote: "It is that time of year when we reduce the amount of portable toilets in our parks since permitted activities drastically drop off until spring."

So long story short, the discrete places for "the regulars" (you know, drunks, riff raff, hood rats, gang-bangers and crack-heads) are going to be rapidly diminished very soon.

Fair enough, but it's not the permitted activities that are the problem... it's the non-permitted (and even illegal) activities that are the problem. (Again, drunks, riff-raff, hood rats, gang-bangers and crack-heads.) I'm no physician, but when you pretty much live on a streetcorner, and consume a quart of Kentucky-D every hour or so, you're going to have to go at some point.

Where's a crack-head or drunk go to the bathroom when these toilets are removed? I'll tell you, because I know it first-hand. They go in your back alley, or worse yet, right out front. Even on your neighbor's house. And it's not always that quick number one we're talking about. (Nothing like seeing your neighborhood drunk defacate on your neighbor's house... A happy Memorial Day it was!).

But then again, this guy did it two doors down from his own house. "I really had to go..." he said. There likely could be a "portolet" on every corner in Cole and you'd still see "the regulars" doing their business in public.

Like looking forward to the changing of the leaves in fall, winter in Cole has a unique charm all its own.

Progress on the 3700 Block of Franklin is happening fast!

Has anyone been over on the 3700 block of Franklin lately? I posted a couple weeks ago how the cool old building on the NE corner of 37th and Franklin was being fixed up. Also, a duplex on the block just got a very tasteful flip. Now the awesome old "Railroad Overall Laundry" building is being renovated. No idea what the story is, but guessing it will be a residence like the similar building a few doors north. Looks like it's already on someone's radar, too. Boy, that block is changing fast! Great stuff!

Halloween in Cole

Nothing says "Halloween, Cole Style" like spooky police tape...

Denver weighs security vs. privacy as cops focus cameras on crime - The Denver Post

City Councilman Doug Linkhart, on DPD's placing crime-prevention cameras in high-crime areas of town:

"The public has a right to be wary," Linkhart said

Of what? Of getting caught on tape picking their noses? These are cameras temporarily placed in high-crime, public, right-of-way areas. Don't get it. If you aren't up to no good, why would you care if there's a camera taping you as you walk or drive by?

So what you're saying, Doug, is that criminals' civil liberties are more important than fighting crime?

Full article here:

Denver weighs security vs. privacy as cops focus cameras on crime - The Denver Post

Shared via AddThis

Denver Metro Crime Statistics Released

If you haven't checked it out, and want some interesting (though hardly enlightening) reading, I highly recommend all residents take advantage of the citywide crime data available at the City of Denver website.

You can see the trending of crime by category citywide, and by neighborhood. For example, here are the most recent breakdowns for Denver and for Cole.

What can we learn from these numbers? Well I'm clearly no expert, but I get a sense that it's hard to take the data at face value, though folks on both sides do. When crime goes down, it's a victory for COMP-STAT policing, and our police in general. When crime goes up, it's spun by Alisa and the "Coalition" to say that our police aren't making any progress, and are just upping harassment.

No secret that I'm pro-cop, and applaud DPD for all their efforts in the challenging cultural melting pot that is Cole and urban Denver. Some interesting stats in the latest updates (Comparing YTD statistics for 2009 versus the same period in 2008) for Cole:

• Aggravated assault is up 13.6% (Is this an actual increase in crime, or an increase in reported and/or documented crime? Meaning, is activity about the same, or even down, but a higher percentage of riff-raff are getting arrested?)
• Burglary is down 20% (I don't get this one. I'm a firm believer that burglars target homes where they have a good shot at getting something of value. As more affluent residents move in, there are more desirable possessions in the homes, like laptops, TV's, bikes, etc. Cherry Creek has some of the highest burglary rates in the city, historically. Are there a bunch of criminals living there? No, but there are a lot of desirable possessions to be had there.)
• Theft from motor vehicle up 42% (I believe it. Again, nicer cars, with PDA's, CD's and other desirables in them than in the past)
• No arrests for prostitution in either year during this period (Seriously? I don't know about you, but I see an occasional hooker, not as many as in previous years, but they're there. But I know it's really hard to catch one "in the act", thus generating an arrest that can be documented. But the problem is much less than it was a couple years ago along Bruce Randolph and by the Down-and-Out Super.)
• Disorderly Conduct up 200%, from 3 to 9 cases. (Again, there aren't more drunks today than yesterday, but I think people are stepping up and not tolerating that kind of behavior as much anymore.)

I've said it before and will say it again, I think we'll see crime "statistically" continue to increase in certain areas as more affluent and law-abiding citizens move into Cole, for some time. And those statistics will be used by "activists" like Alisa and the "coalition" to point that DPD's tactics don't work.

But anyone that isn't completely blind can see that the quality of life, safety, cleanliness, and appeal of Cole is better now than ever before. We're making progress, with the help of the DPD. And I'm very grateful for their help.

Thanks for reading.

Coffee Shop Coming to 37th and Franklin

The neat old building on 37th and Franklin that has been a drug store, brothel, day care, and most recently, residences, is being re-modeled to be a coffee shop. Interesting location, but the building could be really cool in this use. I actually used to live here and always thought it would be neat if the owner, Nancy Greene, re-purposed it for commercial use at some point. It'll be a tough road, since so few people work in the area to support the coffee shop in non-peak hours, but I'll certainly support 'em as much as I can (assuming the coffee doesn't suck).

A Practical Use for Ghetto Tumbleweeds

Ever been out walking your dog, and either they "take care of business" more times than you have bags? Or, if you think "Hey, Snuggles just went #2, there's no chance he'll need to go on this walk...", but he inevitably does?

One nice thing about living in Cole, is that when you're in a pinch like this, there inevitably is a plastic bag (or "ghetto tumbleweed" as my neighbor so cleverly called 'em) blowing by.

Black ones come from the liquor store on Bruce Randolph and Downing, and are most prevalent for obvious reasons. White ones come from the Down-n-Out Super. Regardless of what color they are they certainly come in handy.

Like getting water from an Agave plant in the blistering heat of the desert; or finding a wild blackberry bush while starving in the sticks, Ghetto Tumbleweeds can be quite the life saver. I wouldn't put them on my list of things I'm most excited about in Cole, but they serve their purpose.

Guess we owe a hearty "thank you" to all those litter-bugs out there.