Martin Luther King, Jr. Day events celebrate diversity & equality across The Equality State

From Dan Neal at the Equality State Policy Center:

State residents will celebrate Martin Luther King Day with in communities across Wyoming including in Riverton where Rez Action, a group working with the Equality State Policy Center, plans a march and speeches by three leaders of the Wind River tribes. 

“We invite all those who want to celebrate equality to march with us to honor the work of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.,” a news release from the organizers says. “We march in celebration of equality and Dr. King’s vision of ‘that all of us will be able to sit down together at the table of brotherhood.’” 

Other events are planned in Laramie and Casper. 

Tribal members Micah Lott and Molly Holt are two of the Rez Action members staging Monday’s “Embrace Equality Celebrate Diversity” event in Riverton. Participants will rendezvous at 1 p.m. at City Park for the march to City Hall. State Rep. Patrick Goggles, the House minority leader who represents HD33, will speak as well as former state representative Scott Ratliff, now an special assistant on Native American issues to U.S. Sen. Mike Enzi, Northern Arapaho tribal liaison Gary Collins, and Riverton activist Cody Green. 

For information, please contact Micah Lott at 307-851-1344 or micah.lott93@gmail.com. Rez Action members describe the group as an organization of “dedicated activists who fight social injustice, discrimination, and advocate for a healthy environment.” 

The Casper NAACP will host the annual Martin Luther King Jr. Day March and Rally starting at 11 a.m. at Casper’s City Park at Center and 7th streets. Marchers will walk to the United Methodist Church downtown. Eastern Shoshone Tribal elder Ivan Posey will speak. Members of the Wind River Unity Youth Council will participate as dancers with the Scout River Drum Group. Following a soup lunch at the church, the Unity group will conduct a workshop at 1 p.m. In Casper, contact Nurieh Glasgow at 234-3428 or Janet de Vries at 268-2446 for more information. 

A third march is planned on Jan. 16 in Laramie. Marchers will walk from the Albany County Courthouse to the University of Wyoming Student Union starting at 4 p.m. followed by a supper in the union ballroom. As part of its Martin Luther King Jr./Days of Dialogue, actor Hill Harper will speak at 1 pm. Jan 18 at the Wyoming College of Arts and Sciences auditorium. A full schedule of events is available here. 

In Cheyenne, a march is planned at Noon from the old Union Pacific Railroad Depot up Capitol Avenue to the state Capitol. Gov. Matt Mead and Mayor Rick Kaysen will speak along with State Auditor Cynthia Cloud, and State Supt. of Public Instruction Cindy Hill. The march is being organized by the Love and Charity Club. Contact moderator Rita Watson at 307-632-2338 for more information.

Planet Jackson Hole: "Wyoming picker causes raucous caucus" in Iowa

Ten Sleep musician Jalan Crossland busted by police during protests against Republican candidates during Iowa caucus. Go to Wyoming picker causes raucous caucus. I reported this first on Dec. 31. Go to http://hummingbirdminds.blogspot.com/2011/12/who-is-mystery-man-from-ten-sleep.html

Occupy Greeley invites us to an "Inside Job" screening Jan. 21

From our pals at Occupy Greeley.

UPDATE: Occupy Cheyenne's plan for Monday's Martin Luther King, Jr., Day march

Here's an update on the Martin Luther King Day Jr. Day march in Cheyenne.

On Wednesday, after taking our cause to Monday's NAACP meeting, I advised Occupy Cheyenne people not to bring signs to Monday's Martin Luther King, Jr., Day march in downtown Cheyenne. My advice was a bit premature -- my hummingbirdminds' impulsivity took over. Yesterday I heard from Gloradene Stevenson, president of Love & Charity Club, organizer of the march. She was out of town. Gloradene said that Love & Charity has no problem with us bring respectful signs to the march.

So bring your signs. Participate in the march and accompanying MLK Day events.

Attention Occupy Cheyenne: Here's the plan for Monday's Martin Luther King, Jr., Day march

This is a copy of the status update I sent to my fellow occupiers on Occupy Cheyenne:

My wife Chris and I attended the local NAACP meeting Monday night at the Laramie County Public Library. Chris chairs the planning committee for Juneteenth, the annual summer celebration held in Cheyenne’s Martin Luther King, Jr., Park. Rev. McDowell gave up 15 minutes in the NAACP agenda so I could talk to the membership about Occupy Cheyenne.

I spoke about our street actions and protests. I talked about our General Assemblies and the work we did on the declaration. I read the first two paragraphs of the declaration. As I read, I thought that there was little in the declaration that Dr. King would disagree with.

I then told the group about our plans to participate in Monday’s Martin Luther King, Jr., Day (known in Wyoming as “Equality Day”) march from the Depot Plaza to the Capitol. I told them that our plans were to bring signs that were respectful to Dr. King but also carried a message from Occupy Cheyenne.

Several members spoke out against the sign idea. They felt it would distract from the commemoration. Rev. McDowell, president of the local NAACP chapter, suggested we talk to the actual organizers of the march, Love & Charity, about our plans. I plan to do that before the march.

My suggestion is that we forget about the signs and attend the march. How many of you have participated in the local MLK Day march? It’s well attended but the numbers could be better. Rev. McDowell and others spoke last night about the crucial nature of the 2012 elections. Equality is threatened on all fronts, but especially in Wyoming with its Tea Party Republican-dominated Legislature. Unnecessary cuts will be made to programs crucial to the 99% while legislators will busily be turning over the store to their benefactors in the energy industry.

The NAACP members support our goals. They were interested in hearing about our actions. They were very interested in participating in the action we plan for the first day of the Legislature, although I had few details.

On Occupy Cheyenne's Dec. 10 action, we were allied with union members in Wyoming AFL-CIO affiliates. As far as I can tell, we’re one of the few Occupy movements in WY and CO that have done this. Other alliances would be welcomed. Attend the MLK Day march, meet some of your fellow marchers, introduce yourself as a member of Occupy Cheyenne, attend the soup and crackers luncheon after the march at the Allen AME Chapel, attend the “Youth Salute” to Dr. King at 4 p.m., at the Second Baptist Church. And there’s also a full slate of events this weekend.

See you Monday at noon for the Martin Luther King, Jr. Day/Equality Day march.

Gregory Hinton at the BBHC in Cody: "Out West with Buffalo Bill"

This news comes from Gregory Hinton: “I would like you to be among the first to know the preliminary results of my recent research at the Buffalo Bill Historical Center in Cody as a 2011-2012 Resident Fellow. The title of my talk was Out West with Buffalo Bill. The primary objective of my research was to analyze the art, artifacts and papers of the BBHC for evidence of LGBT history and culture in the American West, particularly as it related to Buffalo Bill's Wild West.” Photo: Colonel William F. Cody, 1889, by French painter Rosa Bonheur (courtesy of the BBHC). For more about this research, go to http://wyomingarts.blogspot.com/2012/01/gregory-hinton-discusses-preliminary.html. Cross-posted from Wyomingarts.

"Defy the Hate" photo shoot Feb. 14 in Cheyenne targets bullying

From the “Defy the Hate” Facebook invite:

A “Defy the Hate” photo shoot will take place in the student lounge area at Laramie County Community College in Cheyenne on Tuesday, Feb. 14 (Valentine’s Day), 11 a.m.-5 p.m. 

This shoot will conducted in honor of those who have committed suicide due to bullying. This shoot is also a community awareness shoot. Suicide and bullying is a growing problem. Too many of our youth are ending their lives needlessly. Too many teachers, principles, guidance counselors, and even some parents are turning a blind eye to this. Schools are saying that they have no record of some kids being bullied... really, how many kids feel safe to come to a teacher about this? How many kids have to lose their lives to this disease of bullying, ignorance, and indifference before someone realizes this is a problem? Schools are supposed to be a safe place. It seems the schools have become a battleground for the lives of the kids that go there. Come to this open shoot and make a stand against bullying and suicide. Come show the schools and bullies that you aren't going to put up with their hate and indifference any longer. It is time to be heard. Let’s show everyone that the community of Cheyenne won't stand for this. 

Photography will be provided by Flux Photography Studios and Lunar Studios. More info will be added as it becomes available.

UW grad Bob Vernon-Kubichek named new Wyoming director for Obama for America

Candidate Barack Obama talks to SRO crowd at UW on March 7, 2008.

This news comes from Chuck Herz, chairman of the Wyoming Democratic Party:

My name is Bob Vernon-Kubichek and I am the new Wyoming Director of Obama for America. 

I would like to briefly introduce myself and provide a brief overview of the work OFA will be doing in 2012. 

I grew up in Casper, and graduated from Natrona County High School in 2006. During the summer of 2006 I worked on the Gary Trauner for US House campaign, and fell in love with the political business. I spent the following two years working on campaigns in Utah while attending the University of Utah.

In 2010 I graduated from the University of Wyoming with a B.A. in political science, after which I began working towards my M.A. in political science as a Graduate Assistant at UW. While I absolutely loved my time at UW, near the end of the fall semester I was presented the opportunity to become the new OFA State Director in Wyoming. I was compelled to accept this opportunity because I felt this fight was too important to simply sit on the sidelines and watch. 

In the coming months I will be meeting with citizens across Wyoming to begin building teams of volunteers to work towards the reelection of President Obama. The primary objective of our work in Wyoming will be support the campaign by making calls to supporters, canvassing neighborhoods, and ensuring that Americans across the county get out and vote for the President next November. 

This campaign is critical to the future of our country, and I cannot understate what is at stake. Failure would mean the reversal of the progress we have made over the last four years, and giving the country over to Republicans who have no interest in defending the middle class, expanding access to health care, or supporting a public education that is the engine of our future. 

I ask you to join me in this fight for the future of our people. There are people counting on us, and we cannot let them down. 

If you are interested in taking an active role in our efforts, I would ask you to either contact me directly at RVernonKubichek@BarackObama.com, or go to the Barack Obama home page and sign up to join. Upon signing up online we will receive your information and will contact you shortly. Soon there will be a calendar up with a list of upcoming events in your area along with how to get involved in the movement. 

Thank you so much for your time, and I look forward to serving you in the year ahead.

Wanted: Obscure films and photos of Dick Cheney

Cheney in his most famous role as grumpy old right-winger

Noted filmmaker R.J. Cutler is doing a movie about former Republican Veep and war criminal Dick Cheney. He seeks footage from Dick's years as a callow Wyoming youth.


Let’s see if we can come up with photos of Dick Cheney in a tutu. Or a young Dick torturing a kitten. Or lost footage of Cheney volunteering for the draft and slogging through a Southeast Asia rice paddy (he was so eager to send our children to Southwest Asia to slog through the desert). 

This comes from the Casper Star-Trib (via the Billings Gazette):

Starting in December, Cutler's Hollywood-based production company, Actual Reality Pictures, placed ads in the Casper Star-Tribune asking for film footage or photographs of Cheney, who lived in Wyoming during his teen years, attended the University of Wyoming, and represented the state in Congress from 1979 to 1989. 

Ryan Gallagher, an associate producer at Actual Reality, said the company is looking for footage that they wouldn't be able to find in government archives or purchase from stock film companies.  

"You look for as much exclusive and unknown footage that you can," Gallagher said. "Maybe somebody has a home video somewhere that we haven't heard about and that we'd just like to see."  

So far, Gallagher said his company hasn't gotten much response.  

The Cheney documentary is scheduled to air on Showtime sometime next fall, Gallagher said. Gallagher said it's "premature" to give details about what the documentary will be about, as they're just now starting to work on the film.  

Cutler is best-known for documentaries such as the Oscar-nominated "The War Room," which chronicled Bill Clinton's 1992 presidential campaign, and "American High," an Emmy-winning film about the lives of high school students in suburban Chicago. 

Anyone interested in submitting pictures or film of Cheney can contact Actual Reality Pictures at 213-534-3970 or cheneydoc@gmail.com.

God says: Keep those hands out of your pockets or risk an eternity in hell!

I am assuming that this is one of those fake photoshopped church signs (I pulled it off of Facebook). I do remember a seventh grade "sex ed" class in which the priests at St. Francis Catholic School in Wichita told us boys that it was a mortal sin to put our hands in our pockets. I still get illicit chills when I put my hands in my pockets, especially on a cold day.

If I did have a “hummingbird mind,” I could rule the world

A few weeks ago, a commenter on these pages made a snide comment about my brain. I am as capable of taking snide comments as I am in dishing them out. Actually, if I were to talk blog talk, I’d have to say I am good at snark, as snide has fallen out of favor in this new hyper-tech era.

The commenter, who was of the conservative persuasion, said that me and my readers must have brains the size of a hummingbird brain. He was inferring that we are peabrains, as a hummingbird brain is the size of a pea.

I can accept this criticism. But the comment did cause me to seek out information on hummingbird anatomy. The pea-brained hummingbird has the largest brain-size-to-body-mass index in the bird kingdom. It’s is approximately 4.2 percent of its body weight. If my brain were 4.2 percent of my weight, it would weigh 9.66 pounds. My head would be the size of a pumpkin but much more lethal. The late Kurt Vonnegut used to say that most of the world's ills could be blamed on the fact that human brains are too big for our own good. Imagine if they were three times bigger!

If my body weight were to be consistent with human anatomy, I would have to weigh almost 700 pounds. This would cut down on my mobility. But my huge brain would allow me to control puny-brained normal humans. They would do my bidding. I would command them to build a mobility device that allowed me to flit from food source to food source. I could hover hummingbird-like over this food source (McDonald’s, for instance), dart in to snag a Big Mac with my long forked tongue, and then dart out again, hovering over the local McD’s, never losing my place. I could exhaust the entire Big Mac supply of the McD’s on Yellowstone Blvd., and then dart over to the one on Lincolnway or College Ave., here in Cheyenne. I would always know where the food was located, and whether it was ready or not. All the while, I could locate a mate, if any were willing to date a big-brained, 700-pound winged human male with huge eyes, a long beak and forked tongue. I’d also be able to fight off any rivals who arrive on the scene. If I was forced to smite a rival, I would have to take a few minutes away from feeding. But not too long – hummingbirds eat a dozen meals per day, consuming many times their own body weight.

How do I know this? I found this info at on Ron Patterson’s excellent Gardening for Wildlife web site:

In a study that appeared in Current Biology, Susan Healy and Jonathan Henderson of the University of Edinburgh describe their fieldwork with rufous hummingbirds in the Canadian Rockies. 

Can a hummingbird's brain actually think? 

Tallying visits by three male rufous hummers, the researchers found the birds could distinguish between the 10-minute and 20-minute “flowers” and remember their locations and when they had last drained them. Over several days, they reliably returned to the “flowers” just after they had been refilled; once again, a matter of what, when, and where. 

It makes sense for hyperactive birds like hummers to maximize their foraging efficiency. Return to a flower too soon, and the nectar won’t have been replenished; too late, and a rival may have beaten you there. 

With a long migration route and a short breeding season, rufous hummers can’t afford to waste time and energy in the search for food. 

Healy and Henderson point out that their male hummers were able to track the timing of nectar supplies while defending their territories and courting females. So you have not only episodic memory but serious multitasking. Several studies show hummers know when a flower is ready. 

All this when a hummingbird's brain is smaller than a pea. 

No one knows how large a hummer's hippocampus is, absolutely or relatively. But the bird doesn’t have a whole lot of neurons to work with. It may not the size of the hummingbird brains that enables these kinds of mental processes, but the complexity of the wiring. Smaller does not necessarily equate to dumber: the minuscule brain of the hummer appears to have the bandwidth to do what it needs to do.

One of the great things about Ron’s site is the Bible quote he puts on each page. I’m not a Bible reader or a quoter, but I like the fact that he writes with such scientific detail and such passion, but also finds time to dig up verse to punctuate his narrative. He’s a serious multi-tasker, just like a hummingbird. Here’s the quote he provided on the page about hummingbird brains:

“For I know the plans I have for you," declares the Lord, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. Jeremiah 29:11

Not a jeremiad in any way.

In conclusion, I’d like to say this: Do your homework before making comments on this site, especially as it relates to the lives of hummingbirds. They are amazing creatures, preferable to snarky humans in so many ways.

Sources:
http://www.worldofhummingbirds.com/anatomy.php
http://www.gardening-for-wildlife.com/hummingbird-brain.html 

http://www.hummingbirds.net/hainsworth.html

Occupy the Courts Jan. 20 in Denver

From Coffee Party USA: 

On Friday Jan. 20, the Coffee Party is joining Move to Amend and democracy advocates across the U.S. to hold more than 80 rallies in front of federal court buildings, including the US Supreme Court. These rallies will launch grassroots campaigns for ballot initiatives and resolutions rejecting the "Citizens United" decree for unlimited, anonymous spending to influence our elections. 

Momentum has been building in recent months, with resolutions passed by city councils in Los Angeles and New York City, and the Montana Supreme Court asserting that states have the right to prevent the corporate purchase of their governments.  Let's make this happen in states, towns, and cities across the country.

The closest event to Cheyenne and Laramie is in Denver:

Location: Gather on West Steps of the State Capitol, 200 East Colfax Avenue 10:30 AM.  Rally on the west steps of the State Capitol 11:30, followed by a march down the 16th Street Mall, to the U.S. Court of Appeals building at 18th & Stout, and where we will deliver a huge, signed copy of “The MOVE TO AMEND Amendment” and tack it, with duct tape to the Courthouse door.  There will be a debriefing/after-party at 2:00 PM at the Mercury Cafe 2199 California Street  Denver, CO 80205 Contact: Daphne Goodwin, daphne.mdmta@gmail.com

Nothing says "family values" like separating mothers from their children

Great column on Rodger McDaniel's Blowing in the Wyoming Wind blog (also on the op-ed page of today's Wyoming Tribune-Eagle). He writes about Republican Gov. Matt Mead's recent decision not to fund a program that allows incarcerated mothers at the Lusk prison to be with their babies. So much for Republican family values, eh? Read the column here.

The biggest threat to Citizens United may come from Montana

David Sirota interviewed Montana Attorney General Steve Bullock on his radio show this past week:

Last week, while the national press corps was busy pretending the tiny Iowa caucus was the only news in America, a major ruling out of Montana paved the way for a likely U.S. Supreme Court showdown over the role of corporate money in politics. 

In the case, which was spearheaded by the state’s Democratic Attorney General Steve Bullock, Montana’s top court restored Big Sky country’s century-old law banning corporations from directly spending on political candidates or committees. Legal experts believe that upon appeal, this case will come before the nation’s highest court. While there, it could serve as the first test of the precedents in the infamous Citizens United decision that essentially allows unfettered corporate spending in campaigns.

Read the transcript of the interview here: The biggest threat to Citizens United

I'm going to root around on my favorite Montana blogs to see what else I can find on this issue. More later...

New Year's Eve events may signal start of big year for downtown Cheyenne

Some really fine detail in this photo by David Jamison of NV Photographics. My wife, daughter and I, along with a thousand of our closest friends, came downtown to the first-ever ball drop, a project of the LightsOn! Project. LightsOn! has taken over the ground floor of the Hynds Building which is catty-corner to the Depot Plaza. Many events are planned for the Hynds in 2012, including art exhibits, figure-drawing classes, and a slate of LCCC Enrichment courses, including a workshop on creating your own one-person shows by writer and performer Christi Mitchell. Rumor has it that the State Museum is looking at the Hynds space for its annual Governor's Capitol Art Exhibition. Stay tuned... 

"Occupy Your Heart" the theme of this Sunday's service at UU Church of Cheyenne

The Unitarian Universalist Church of Cheyenne has been very supportive of Occupy Cheyenne during its formative phase. We've held several GAs at the church, as well as sign-making sessions before public actions at the State Capitol and the Depot Plaza. UU Church members Leah Zegan and Forrest King and others have been very welcoming. I'm not a member but, during the past five years, I've been inside the walls of this church much more often than I have been in any other, including the two local Catholic churches (and one big downtown cathedral) that represent my faith tradition. 

I am drawn to the UU's commitment to social justice. This Sunday, Jan. 8, at 10:30 a.m., Rev. Dana Lightsey will conduct a service with the theme of "Occupy Your Heart." Here's a short description:

Time magazine's person of the year for 2011 is "the protester." Our world is being changed by mass protests all over the world. What are the common themes of these protests and what can we learn from them to make our world a better place for all?

Local food, arts, crafts and music featured at Winter Farmers' Market Jan. 7

What: Cheyenne Winter Farmers’ Market 

Where: Inside the Cheyenne Downtown Depot

When: Saturday, Jan. 7, 10 a.m.–2 p.m

Details: The Winter Farmers’ Market offers products grown, raised or crafted within 150 miles of Cheyenne. It will provide an opportunity to purchase locally grown all-​​natural beef, lamb, turkey, bison, farm fresh eggs, honey, along with locally crafted artisan breads, jams, jellies, tamales, empanadas, tortillas, soup and chili, jewelry, natural skin care, handmade baskets and much more. Come and stay for lunch, for more information call 307.649.2430.


I read somewhere that the market will feature live music. This is usually the case, but I couldn't find the performers names listed anywhere. Shouldn't musicians get the same kind of billing as farm fresh eggs and tamales?

Wyoming scholarships available for National Main Streets Conference in Baltimore

As we've discussed at length here, Wyoming's downtowns have launched some innovative projects. I think of downtown Cheyenne's LightsOn! project and the arts-based redevelopment launched by Casper. There is the renovated Rock Springs downtown theatre, the roundhouse project in Evanston, the "living upstairs in downtown" program in Sheridan, and so on. But much more needs to be done. You can't have a great city or town without a thriving downtown. The Wyoming Main Street Program is leading the way. It is offering scholarships to the national conference:

The Wyoming Main Street Program is offering travel scholarships to a conference that will help participants revitalize and build vibrant commercial districts in Wyoming’s downtowns. Several scholarships are available for the National Main Streets Conference in Baltimore, Md., April 1-4, 2012. The trip includes a Wyoming Main Street sponsored pre-trip to Maryland and Delaware, March 29-31, to learn how Main Street principles are being applied in other communities. 

The conference brings together people from communities of all sizes to network, discuss issues, and learn new ideas and solutions for growing and developing downtown revitalization programs. This year’s conference will focus on taking Main Street to the next level by continuing to grow support, economic strength, and the national movement. The scholarships cover airfare to and from an applicant’s nearest airport and Baltimore, conference registration fees, and lodging during the pre-trip and conference. 

Scholarship applications are due to Wyoming Main Street no later than Feb. 3, 2012. Application packets must include a completed application form. Scholarships will only be offered to individuals who are residents of a Wyoming municipality and associated with, or supported by, one of the following organizations: local government, downtown association or its equivalent, downtown merchants association, urban renewal authority, downtown development authority, chamber of commerce, historic preservation organization, or other community organizations intended to revitalize a historic downtown. 

Notification of scholarship awards will be made from the Wyoming Main Street staff on or around Feb. 15, 2012. Recipients are asked to give a report to their local city/town council as well as the Wyoming Main Street Advisory Board about the information learned on the trip and how it will help their community. 

For more information, contact Wyoming Main Street Specialist Scott Wisniewski at 307.777.2934 or scott.w@wyo.gov. 

The Wyoming Main Street Program is dedicated to providing Wyoming communities with opportunities to strengthen local pride and revitalize historic downtown districts by utilizing the Main Street Four Point Approach. This approach means Wyoming Main Street strives to help downtown business owners improve the appearance of downtowns, build cooperation between downtown groups, help downtowns market their unique qualities and strengthen the economic base of downtown.

Applications available here. For information, contact Kim Kittel at 307.287.2170 or kim.kittel@wyo.gov.

Once again, Wyoming teen suicide in the news

Once again, Wyoming teen suicide is in the news. This time, it's the death of 13-year-old Alex Frye of Cheyenne. His death on New Year's Day is getting plenty of attention in the local media -- and elsewhere. There is much talk about the alleged cause -- bullying at school. The school district seems to be doing its part of bringing up the topic and providing counselors for students and teachers at Alex's school, Carey Junior High. According to last night's Channel 5 newscast, the Cheyenne Police Department is adding a position to address suicide prevention. There's a fine local organization, Grace for 2 Brothers which offers “suicide prevention through awareness and education.”

Still, the beat goes on. Wyoming has among the highest teen suicide stats in the nation. Some of that is due to isolation and rough weather and lack of opportunity. Some of that is due to bullying, although it's unclear how much. It is clear that bullies beget bullies, and until this is addressed, bullying will continue to lead to both the mental and physical scarring of vulnerable youth.

Some of Wyoming’s cluelessness about suicide can be blamed on Wyoming's "cowboy up" mentality, which can be summed up this way: "Cowboy up!" Be tough. Shake it off. Get back on that horse. None of which helps much when it comes to assisting someone in pain.

I refer you to Tom Morton's excellent Casper Star-Tribune column from Oct. 26. He focused on the lethal nature of suicide by gun. Guns are very popular in Wyoming, and a popular (and very final) way to commit suicide. He noted that U.S. suicide stats -- 39th in the world -- are not particularly alarming. But, "if Wyoming's rate of 20.0 suicides per 100,000 population was compared to the worldwide rates, Wyoming would rank about 10th." Read more here. 

This comes from a 2010 article in the WTE:

Suicide is the second-leading cause of death among Wyoming youth, said Keith Hotle, a suicide prevention team leader with the Wyoming Department of Health. Only car crashes kill more teens. 

If a new disease was the second-leading cause of death for youth, that would be front page news all over the state," he said. 

But it isn't. Those headlines arrive only with each new suicide by a Wyoming youth. And they appear with great regularity, much to our shame.

Rest in peace, Alex Frye. We will remember you.

Cheyenne NAACP and Occupy Cheyenne search for common ground

The next meeting of the NAACP Unit #4108 is scheduled for Monday, January 9, beginning at 6:30 p.m., in the Sunflower Room of the Laramie County Public Library in downtown Cheyenne.  The meeting will focus on finalizing events and activities for Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Day on Jan. 16 and February’s Black History Month.


NAACP members are invited to General Assembly meeting sponsored by Occupy Cheyenne on Thursday, Jan. 5, 5:30-7 p.m., at the Paramount Cafe, 1607 Capitol Ave., in downtown Cheyenne. We have common ground in Martin Luther King, Jr.'s, philosophy of nonviolent protests against the powers and principalities that join forces to keep us all down. More info at Occupy Cheyenne on Facebook.

Help wanted: Wyoming Democratic Party

Something is happening on the Wyoming Democratic Party web site (and it's about time):

Field Director: The Wyoming Democratic Party is currently seeking qualified applicants for the position of Field Director (currently funded under the Democratic National Committee's State Party Partnership Program). A complete job description and application information is located here: Field Director Job Description.
 Compliance Director:  The Wyoming Democratic Party is currently seeking qualified applicants for the position of Compliance Director (currently partially funded under the Democratic National Committee's State Party Partnership Program). The Compliance Director is the staff member responsible for working with the Executive Director and others to oversee all aspects of the WDP’s compliance with applicable state and federal laws.  A complete job description and application information is located here: Compliance Director Job Description.
 Internships:  The Wyoming Democratic Party is offering internship opportunities for students. These are unpaid internships, and would require 10 to 20 hours per week (we are willing to be flexible as a student's schedule requires). Some of the duties will include researching, recruiting volunteers, phone banking, attending community events, networking with other organizations, and organizing events in the community. This is a great way to get political experience and make long-time professional contacts. For more information, contact Dana Walton at (307) 258-1825 or dana@wyomingdemocrats.com.

Poet and Army vet Brian Turner: Dialogue needed between U.S. vets and Iraqi artists

I read Brian Turner’s first poetry book, “Here, Bullet,” when it came out in 2005 from Alice James Books. Amazing poems from a witness to the war, one who arrived at the front possessing an MFA in creative writing.

We haven’t seen a huge amount of war poetry coming out of Iraq. It’s a mere trickle when compared to the U.S. poetry shaped by Vietnam. It’s early yet – the war only ended last week, officially. You can start with Turner’s work:

Earlier this year, Brian Turner went back to Baghdad as an Army veteran who also happens to be a writer. Turner served as an infantry team leader with the 3rd Stryker Brigade Combat team in 2003 and 2004, an experience that informs his award-winning book of poetry “Here, Bullet.” Iraq also features in his latest book, “Phantom Noise.” 

He believes now that the war is officially over, there needs to be a new dialogue between the two countries, especially between U.S. vets and Iraqi artists. 

“I was able to meet some Iraqi poets and painters, and they’re sort of waiting,” Turner told Here & Now's Robin Young. “They see the guns and the tanks and helicopters come, and they’re wondering where is another part of the conversation, more of a dialogue in art, that kind of constructive conversation. So if anybody is interested in that, I would encourage them to not sit by the sidelines and not get involved. They’re waiting for us.”

Hear a WBUR radio interview and Turner reading one of his poems at http://hereandnow.wbur.org/2011/12/22/poet-iraq-turner

Moving sale this week at downtown Cheyenne's Link Gallery

Cheyenne loses an art gallery, gains yet another empty storefront:

The owners of the LINK GALLERY, 124 W. Lincolnway in Cheyenne, are moving to Austin, Texas, one of America's most exciting cities, so they are having a sale. Prices are 20-40% off most paintings and prints through January 7. Mon-Sat 10:30 am – 5 pm. FMI: 307-778-0330. On Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/pages/The-Link-Gallery/50875219291?sk=info

The great big hole in Cheyenne's downtown makes for a hole in its soul

Ball drops at the Depot Plaza on New Year's Eve, causing all of us to think good thoughts about downtown Cheyenne's future.

After two years of railing against Wyoming's woeful public education system, the Wyoming Tribune-Eagle editorial staff is shifting its focus.

It's time to kick Cheyenne in the ass.

The city is "mired in the doldrums and doing little to find its way out." It has "lost its desire to chase after pre-eminence." Cheyenne needs to "recapture the vision of being a great city."

Most shocking of all, the WTE has discovered that there is a a great big hole in the middle of downtown. It's not a metaphoric hole, either, but a very real one.

The downtown hole is a manifestation of Cheyenne's lack of vision. I recently asked the question of whether any other city of Cheyenne's size would tolerate a mega-hole to exist at its city center for seven years. A gas explosion leveled almost a city block in downtown Bozeman two years ago. The hole was filled in short order followed by rebuilding. Downtown Deadwood was able to fill its downtown hole (an old mine) with businesses and now has a bustling economy. Many other Rocky Mountain cities have faced explosions and blights and economic downturns. They have come up with viable plans to enliven their downtowns. 

My wife Chris and I went to the downtown New Year's Eve festivities last night. It was great to see so many people downtown. That rarely happens outside of Cheyenne Frontier Days or summer's Friday night concert series. Art Design & Dine has brought some life to downtown each second Thursday but it's still struggling to catch on after two years. Unfortunately, one of the participating AD&D galleries soon will be closing.

WTE identifies what it missing from downtown development: "visionary thinking and risk-taking." We've seen visionary thinking exhibited in the LightsOn! Project at the Hynds Building, which hosted a rocking party last night. We're also seeing some of that with the Dinneen Building and the accompanying screetscaping. Much more is needed.  

I'm with the WTE on this one. They plan to fill their op-ed pages to calls for an end to the miasma that had led to status as a second-rate city of the West.

I'll be reading.

As you might expect, there are some bright spots in Cheyenne's present. We'll talk about those too...

Who is the mystery man from Ten Sleep arrested at Occupy the (Iowa) Caucuses?

Rachel Maddow muses in this MSNBC clip about the Occupy the (Iowa) Caucuses protester arrested at Mitt Romney HQ and whose hometown is listed as Ten Sleep, Wyoming. Since musicians were featured at the occupation, and one of them looked suspiciously like Jalan "This Banjo Kills Facists" Crossland of Ten Sleep, we think that this mystery man is indeed the man who gave us "Don't Taze Me, Bro'" What say you, dear readers?

First Occupy Cheyenne GA of the new year Jan. 5 at Paramount Cafe

We got the nod from Leah Z that we can hold the next Occupy Cheyenne General Assembly at the Paramount Cafe, 1607 Capitol Ave., on Thursday, Jan. 5, 5:30-7 p.m. Bring some dough to buy an idea-enhancing coffee. Agenda items include plans for January actions, a protest at the Capitol when the Legislature convenes in February, and ideas about participating in the regional Occupy GA in Boulder, Colo., Feb. 18-19. Agenda will be up and running in a few days on the Occupy Cheyenne Facebook page for additions and subtractions. Happy New Year, Occupiers! Looking for full equality in The Equality State in 2012!

This Is Why We Fight: Progressive blogging, from the pulpit to the streets

Video production by eninaoj

I was listening to The Decembrists’ “The King is Dead” for the umpteenth time when “This is Why We Fight” got stuck in my head. Why do we fight, we progressive bloggers here in Wyoming? I sort of knew why I fight but I wasn’t sure about the rest of our ragged little band. So I came up with a few questions that I sent to some of the consistent bloggers on the “WY Progressives” blogroll (see right sidebar). First up is Rodger McDaniel, founder, writer and editor of Blowing in the Wyoming Wind.

Q: Tell us a bit about yourself.

A: I was born on January 10, 2011 when I retired from the State of Wyoming and became free to blog about issues that matter. In another life I served 10 years in the legislature, was the Democratic Party nominee for the U.S. Senate in 1982, practiced law for 18 years and, in the Freudenthal administration, I was the director of the Department of Family Services and head of the state's mental health and substance abuse programs. Currently I am a preacher, a grandfather, and a blogger.

Q: Why do you blog?

A: I blog because I can. I realize there are many people who because of their jobs or other reasons are not free to speak out. I am and enjoy doing so. I don't have to worry about getting elected or being fired.

Q: Any predictions for 2012?

A: Obama will be the only winner in the GOP primaries. One of the GOP candidates will tell the truth about something (I have no way to predict who it will be but more likely Ron Paul than Michelle Bachmann). The U.S. Supreme Court will uphold the Affordable Care Act and find state laws prohibiting same-sex marriage to be in violation of the U.S. Constitution. One war will end and at least one more will start. The Wyoming Legislature will provide even more fodder for outlaw bloggers. I will finish writing my book on Lester Hunt's life. (Not so sure about that last one!)

Q: What's your favorite song, whether it's from 2011 or from some other year?

A: My music development was arrested in my disc jockey days. Therefore it is a Beatles song "In My Life."

Rodger McDaniel: From the altar...

....to the streets, with Occupy Cheyenne.

Writer Rebecca Solnit maps Laramie and then occupies the world

Yup’ik Elder Esther Green occupies the river

Read this beautiful essay by California writer Rebecca Solnit on the CBS News site. You may remember Rebecca from her residency at the University of Wyoming creative writing program earlier this year. She and her students conducted a community mapping project, “Laramie: A Gem City Atlas,” with the results exhibited at the UW Art Museum in May and June. They were occupying Laramie before Occupy Laramie sprang up this fall. Read a Casper Star-Tribune story about the community mapping project here.

Laramie native Robin Van Ausdall named new executive director of Wyoming Democratic Party

Jeremy Pelzer reports this in today's Casper Star-Tribune:

Wyoming Democrats have selected Colorado political consultant Robin Van Ausdall as their new executive director, according to her and other party officials. 

Van Ausdall, who was born in Laramie, is a political veteran, serving as campaign manager for David Canter’s unsuccessful bid against U.S. Rep. Mike Coffman, R-Colo., in 2010 and as the Democratic National Committee’s field organizer for northeast Colorado from 2005 through 2008. She was Andrew Romanoff’s caucus director in his unsuccessful 2010 Colorado Senate bid. Most recently, she ran a Denver school board campaign and operates a karaoke and DJ service in Fort Collins, Colo., Van Ausdall said.   

Kyle DeBeer, the party’s interim executive director, said Wednesday a formal announcement will come early next week and that it hasn’t yet been decided when the new executive director will start. 

Democratic sources said Van Ausdall was chosen over Jason Perkey, who ran U.S. Rep. Danny Davis’ failed campaign for mayor of Chicago earlier this year. The Wyoming Democrats’ executive director position has been vacant since October, when Bill Luckett left for Oregon after his wife found a job there.

Occupy Fort Collins holds a "Coats, Cans and Cash" fund-raiser Jan. 29 at Avo's

Occupy movements in the Rocky Mountain region are leaving the streets for proactive community involvement. Occupy Fort Collins will be holding a "Coats, Cans and Cash" fund-raiser on Sunday, Jan. 29, 7 p.m., at Avogadro's Number, 605 S. Mason St., Fort Collins, Colo., right down the road from Cheyenne. Fund-raiser for those who actually need clothing and food and cash -- an increasing number of Americans (thanks to the greedy 1%). Performances by GD Money and the Funky Tunk Heroes and DumptruckButterlips. Get more info at the Occupy Fort Collins and Occupy Ft. Collins Facebook pages and at http://www.occupyfortcollins.org. 

Occupy Hip Hop in Colorado Springs a fund-raiser for foreclosure actions

Occupy Colorado Springs is sponsoring this event on Jan. 7 that's a fund-raiser for some of the org's foreclosure actions. This week, the OCS folks are occupying the foreclosure of the house of a 62-year-old leukemia victim. Get more info about Occupy Hip Hop at http://www.facebook.com/events/156851661083815/  

Rep. Gingery's bill proposes much-needed boost in waiver program budget

From the Wyoming Public Media web site:

A Wyoming program that helps the disabled has a long waiting list, but a state bill to be introduced next year could help. 

Jackson representative Keith Gingery (R-Fremont/Teton) is the sponsor of the bill to be introduced during the upcoming legislative session would provide $28 million in state and federal funding for Wyoming's Home and Community Based Waiver Program. The waiver program provides services for people with disabilities. More than 450 people in Wyoming are waiting for adult, child or brain-injury waivers. 

Wyoming expects to spend about $214 million on the waivers over the next two fiscal years, with about half the cost paid with federal dollars. But Gingery said that the funding isn't enough to meet existing demand for the waivers.

This program provides much-needed support to those families challenged with long-term medical care that is usually only partially covered by insurance – if that family is insured at all. Guidelines of the waiver program are outlined here.

Support Rep. Gingery via e-mail at kgingery@wyoming.com

Reboot the Robot performs tonight at Paramount Cafe in downtown Cheyenne

Reboot the Robot (Jon Ware) and Kelsi Rivera will perform an acoustic concert on Wednesday, Dec. 28 (tonight), 6-8 p.m. at the Paramount Café, 1607 Capitol Ave., Cheyenne. This is the newly-opened café’s first event so come on down and support indie music and indie business in downtown Cheyenne. Hear songs by Reboot the Robot at http://www.YouTube.com/RTRmuzac. Find out more about the Paramount Café on its Facebook page.

"Carbon Sink" got all the headlines, but there was much more to Wyoming public art in 2011

The Wyomingarts blog reports that 2011 was a banner year for public art in Wyoming. One of the most notable was Chris Drury's environmental installation "Carbon Sink: What Goes Around, Comes Around." This commissioned piece, made from beetle-kill Wyoming trees and bona fide Wyoming coal, was installed last summer on the University of Wyoming campus and instantly earned the wrath of the state's energy moguls, who think that they own the place. To prove it, at least one Casper-based mogul withheld his annual contribution to the University of Wyoming. Art matters. Sometimes art can cause an entitled fat cat to withhold funding from his alma mater, even during a year when the football team has a winning record and goes to a bowl game! But there was much more to public art in Wyoming this year than "Carbon Sink." Take an art tour of Wyoming at http://wyomingarts.blogspot.com/2011/12/year-in-review-public-art-projects.html

Local artist's domestic violence posters raise funds for Safehouse in Cheyenne

It's dangerous to be a woman in The Equality State. View the entire series of posters by Forrest King, designed to raise funds for  Cheyenne's Safehouse, at http://www.facebook.com/BatteredBrideProject   

WTE Online: CRMC offers psychiatric service through computer

This is a great idea for a rural state (Wyoming) which has high risk factors for suicide, domestic violence and substance abuse -- and one that serves its 580,000 residents with just 30 psychiatrists (one per 19,333 people), most located in cities: CRMC offers psychiatric service through computer -- Wyoming Tribune Eagle Online

UW hosts largest Martin Luther King, Jr. commemoration in Wyoming Jan. 16-20

The University of Wyoming in Laramie sponsors the annual Martin Luther King, Jr./Days of Dialogue and March Jan. 16-20. This year's timely theme is "Building Unity Through Community: Local to Global." This week-long celebration of King's legacy of peace and justice is the largest in Wyoming, possibly the region.  

The week's schedule:

Monday, Jan. 16
10 a.m.-4 p.m.: National Service Day

4 p.m.: Martin Luther King, Jr. March beginning at Albany County Courthouse
4:45 p.m.- Willena Stanford Supper at UW Wyoming Union Ballroom. Entertainment provided by WASA and the ARK

Tuesday, Jan. 17
12 noon-1:30 p.m.: ECTL Book Discussion, "On That Day, Everybody Ate: One Woman’s Story of Hope and Possibility in Haiti" by Margaret Trost. Registration required at www.uwyo.edu/ctl. At Coe Library, Rm 506. Lunch provided.

12:15-1:30 p.m.: "The Face of Discrimination" panel discussion, Union Family Room
4-6 p.m.: "Build 2020 w/ Molina Speaks" -- hip-hop workshop and performance with Adrian Molina, Union Family Room

Wednesday, Jan. 18
11 a.m.-1 p.m.: "Local to Global" photo exhibit opening, Union Art Gallery 234
3 p.m.: Opening for the "Tunnel of Oppression," Union East Ballroom
8 p.m.: The Players Club – step performance, SAC Event - A & S Auditorium

Thursday, Jan. 19
12:15-1:30 p.m.: "Art Imitates Life" panel discussion, Union West Ballroom
3:30-5 p.m.: Chad Hymas, motivational speaker, Union West Ballroom
7 p.m.: Hill Harper, keynote address, A & S Auditorium

Friday, Jan. 20
12 noon-1 p.m.: Poetry Slam Workshop with Slam Nuba, Union West Ballroom, sponsored by Residence Life & Dining Services
1:15-2:30 p.m.: Poetry Slam Open Mic with Slam Nuba, Union Skylight Lounge, sponsored by Residence Life & Dining Services
6:30 p.m.: "Shadow Ball" movie with talk-back session, Union Family Room, sponsored by Wyoming PBS
9-11:30 p.m.: FNF Movie: "Circumstance," Union Family Room
8:30 p.m.: Lupe Fiasco, hip-hop artist, C&C Event in the A & S Auditorium. Doors open at 8 p.m. UW Student Tickets: $20, non-UW student tickets: $30

More info at http://mlkdod.wordpress.com/

My vote for 2011's best radio show in WY -- Cognitive Dissonance on KOCA-FM every Friday night

Meg and Cameron counted down the year's top 25 songs the past two weeks on Meg Lanker-Simons' Friday night Cognitive Dissonance radio show on KOCA-FM out of Laramie. In case you live out of broadcast range (as I do), read the lists at the Cognitive Dissonance Tumblr site and go find the tunes in other places. Listen to the show every Friday night, 10 p.m.-1 a.m. at 93.5 on your radio dial if you can. Friends who live west of Cheyenne's F.E. Warren AFB and east of the summit say they can get it. Maybe I just need to get in my car every Friday night and drive Happy Jack Road until it appears on my Ford Fusion's radio. The show offers a great mix of progressive music and politics. I've even been on the show. I'm not in the groove, music-wise, but I am progressive, politics-wise. Happy New Year, Meg! Keep the talk and the music coming!