"The Hole" in downtown Cheyenne remains whole, for now

Two interesting front section stories about downtown Cheyenne in this morning's Wyoming Tribune-Eagle. First, a bid to buy and build something in "The Hole" has fallen through. Alan O'Hashi of Wyoming Community Media had plans to combine a revamp of the Hynds Building with construction in "The Hole." He had an option to buy the site from Capital Management LLC of Kansas City but he no longer has the option. "That's just how real estate goes," said O'Hashi. He still has plans to build up to 28 condos in the Hynds and to expand on the artistic space known as LightsOn! He says there's about a 65 percent chance this will happen, but mentioned no details.

Meanwhile, the Cheyenne Downtown Development Authority (DDA) plans on joining Wyoming Main Street. This will make it eligible for $20,000 to pay for downtown projects. It also would put them in league with 14 other Wyoming communities, some of whom have accomplished some amazing things with neglected downtowns. Green River and Rawlins come to mind. Laramie has a very active Main Street program and its downtown is thriving -- not just during special events but all the time. The Buffalo Downtown Association (BDA) was recently named the “Wyoming Main Street Affiliate Community Of The Year.” There was a time in the recent past when the BDA was about to call it quits. Now look. None of the 14 Main Street Wyoming communities has a gaping hole in the middle of its downtown. What's their secret?

The Wyoming Tribune-Eagle locates my long-lost twin, Matthew Shay

Bio from book jacket with photo that looks a lot like me (and Matthew)

The Wyoming Tribune-Eagle has apparently found my long-lost twin, Matthew.

On today’s WTE op-ed pages, Matthew Shay penned a rational argument for the Marketplace Fairness Act “which would require online retailers to to comply with state sales tax laws.” I didn’t find too much to argue with in the editorial, although I'm not totally up-to-speed on internet retailing and the tax laws in all 50 states.

But I didn’t write it. Matthew did.

The reason I think he’s my long-lost twin is the head shot accompanying the article. He looks exactly like me. He has the same chiseled good looks and is wearing the same glasses. The haircut is reminiscent of the one I had several years ago right before a friend took a photo that looks a lot like this one for my book jacket. I can’t see much of it but the shirt also looks very familiar.

If I didn’t know better, I’d say that it was me. In fact, several people asked me already today if I had switched jobs from arts administrator to president and CEO of the National Retail Federation. I haven’t, although I’m open to offers. Another friend just wondered if the paper had gotten my name and job title wrong. I said, that couldn’t happen, could it? I wondered if the editors had just pulled the wrong photo to go with the article. Could it be? I tried calling the newsroom but no answer. Lots going on today so the newsroom must be deserted. 

I concluded that Matthew must be my twin. I’m glad to discover him, at long last, on the op-ed pages of the WTE. I wish him well with the Marketplace Fairness Act. Matt – can I call you Matt? – feel free to call any time so we can get reacquainted. We have a lot to talk about.

Campaign season ramps up with gigantic yard signs, Rothfuss on the radio and a Superday candidate invasion

Campaign season is in full swing. In my neighborhood, I've been seeing increasingly larger signs for county commission candidates. C. Bud Racicky talked one homeowner to put a huge sign in his yard but it was partially blocked from northbound Yellowstone Blvd. traffic by an evergreen hedge. Today a guy was cutting down the hedge. So much for planning ahead... and isn't that one thing that county comissioners are charged with, planning?

If you like progressive radio, and you happen to live in the Laramie Valley, do this (says Meg Lanker-Simons):

Tune into 93.5 KOCA tonight, 10 p.m.-1 a.m. and keep your dial locked for fab music + Legit Conservative + d-bag o' the week! Our special guest tonight is Wyo. Sen. Chris Rothfuss from SD 9 in Laramie. Have a question for Sen. Rothfuss? Post it! Taking your requests for songs, dedications & d-bag nods til 8 p.m. See us at Laramie Civic Center, rm #255.

Chris really distinguished himself during the most recent legislative session. We need him back to fight the Right Wing loonies.


And Cheyenne's Superday is tomorrow. It is quite super, with a 5K run, the Tour De Prairie bike race, food trucks, vendor booths, good music and candidates galore. They'll be swarming the place so beware. Of course, you could do a good turn and support one of the local Democrats running for a legislative seat. If you need some campaign literature or assorted nifty giveaways, visit the booth of the Laramie County Democrats/LC Grassroots Democrats. Get your photo taken with (a) President Barack Obama (life-size cardboard replica)! Get a whole album's worth of photos to amaze your Facebook friends -- and infuriate your Republican brother-in-law.

Wonder if the Laramie County Republicans will have a booth and, if they do, will feature a cardboard replica of Mitt Romney. Cardboard cutout and Mitt Romney. Isn't that redundant?

Gathering of the Celtic tribes this weekend in Cheyenne

Everything you need to know about this weekend's Celtic Musical Arts Festival at the Historic Depot in downtown Cheyenne: http://www.cheyennedepotmuseum.org/plaza-event/cheyennes-celtic-musical-arts-festival-7th-annual

Dems hold Meet the Candidates Open House June 24

From the Laramie County Democrats:

Dear Friends and Fellow Democrats:

Please join us at a Meet the Candidates Open House Sponsored by the Laramie County Democrats Grassroots Coalition  at the home of Joe Corrigan, Treasurer, 3626 Dover Road, Cheyenne, on June 24, 2012 1-5 p.m. 

We are suggesting a minimum donation of $25 for this event, but all donations will be greatly appreciated. If you can't attend the Open House but you want to show your support for the Laramie County Democrats Grassroots Coalition, please send your contribution to LCDGC at PO Box 2986, Cheyenne, Wyoming, 82003. We hope to see you on June 24!!!

Please RSVP by calling Joe at 630.6192 or Wendy at 635.2609 

My grandmother, the nurse: "We are in the real war zone now"

My sister Eileen is transcribing the World War I diaries of our grandmother, Florence Green Shay.  The entries begin in July 1918 and end in February 1919. If you're counting (or even if you're not), that's almost 100 years ago. Grandma -- or "Mudder" as we called her -- was a 25-year-old Army nurse from Baltimore when the good ship Baltic took her and the personnel of Base Hospital 42 American Expeditionary Force to Liverpool.

During the crossing, she's in high spirits. She dances with a major named Pinky – “the major is some dancer.” She worries about rumors of German submarines – “we are in the real war zone now.” She marvels at the clunky rubber floatation suits they were supposed to wear in the event of a sinking – “they are supposed to keep us up in water for three days.” One evening, she attends “ a dandy entertainment” conducted by the 62^nd Coast Artillery.

It's a young woman’s voice – flirtatious, weary, funny and peeved. I never heard this voice in person -- it would be several decades before me and my eight brothers and sisters would hear her speak. By then, she was a Denver matron in her fifties, a woman who enjoyed her evening highballs, bridge with friends, and cheering from afar for her hometown Baltimore Orioles.She wasn't old exactly, just Grandma, the woman who shrieked with joy when the grandkids came to call and squeezed us into her mighty bosom. 

At Eileen's request, I'm writing the intro for the book. I'm her big brother, after all, and a writer. I thought that I'd read the entries and dash off a jaunty introduction to a book geared mainly for family. But a strange thing happened. By the third entry, I could hear my grandmother's voice. It's a treat to hear her youthful voice. One of her favorite terms is "dandy." She wraps up a long shift at a frontline hospital and makes fudge with other nurses or gets ready for a date with a major or a captain of maybe even the mysterious Lieutenant Colonel S.

We are only 18 and 21 and 25 once. Our voices reveal our hopes and dreams and fears. Grandma didn't seem especially concerned about the future -- the present was plenty interesting.  

There is very little about the suffering of the men under her care. She goes to the Front in August and is the thick of it through Nov. 11. She mentions “those poor boys” and her many shifts in the pneumonia and mumps and surgical wards. In one entry, she talks about working for 42 hours straight. She works through numerous air raids and shellings. ”If we have many more air raids, I am afraid my hair will turn white. No bombs struck our place but oh my."

"Oh my!" An air raid might bring other words to my lips. But that "oh my" says a lot about Grandma. I can hear her say it. It is as fresh as if she were whispering in my ear. And she is, in a way. Diaries are secret things. It's as if she's talked into the pages and the words are now lifting into the air to tell us what Florence was like on a September day near Verdun or Chateau Thierry. People were dying, yes, and there was plenty of suffering, but Florence was alive and bored and hungry and ready for a night out with a fella from Pittsburgh or Charleston who wasn't going to be her boyfriend or husband but was also young and alive and far away from home.

She speaks. I listen. It's more than a dandy entertainment. Thanks to my Sis for transcribing the diary. Now, Eileen, about that intro...

If you're a RINO, CROW wants you to go

Great letter to the editor by Ken McCauley in Sunday's Wyoming Tribune-Eagle. In it, he explores the new ultra-conservative Republican group, CROW, which is making a lot of noise in an effort to unseat RINOs in the Wyoming State Legislature. To learn more about this new political menagerie, read Ken's letter at http://www.wyomingnews.com/articles/2012/06/18/opinion/featured_letter/letter01.txt  

Sample regional beers and music this weekend at Wyoming Brewers' Festival

The Wyoming Brewers' Festival in Cheyenne June 15-16 has beer and music, including Another Kind of Magick Friday night. FMI: http://www.wyobrewfest.com/

Out West at the Autry explores "Same Sex Dynamics" among 19-century Mormons on June 16

My friend, Gregory Hinton, grew up in Cody and spent some quality time there last year on a research fellowship at the Buffalo Bill Historical Center. He shared some of his research on these pages. Go to http://hummingbirdminds.blogspot.com/2012/01/gregory-hinton-at-bbhc-in-cody-out-west.html.

Greg, who's creator and producer of "Out West at the Autry" in L.A., always has some unique offerings about LGBT life in the West, especially the rural West. Here's his latest venture:

Dear Friends of Out West:

Please join us at the Autry in Griffith Park this coming Saturday, June 16, 2 p.m., in conversation with scholar D Michael Quinn and USC Associate Professor William Handley discussing Quinn's "19th Century Same Sex Dynamics Among Nineteenth-Century Americans: A Mormon Example," winner of the Herbert Feis Award from the American Historical Association and named one of the best religion books of the year by Publisher's Weekly.

This ranks among our finest programs - twenty-five and counting - in partnership with museums, libraries and universities in ten states. 

I am so grateful to the Autry National Center, Tom Gregory, HBO, David Bohnett Foundation, Gill Foundation and the Gay & Lesbian Rodeo Heritage Foundation for their continuing support. 

I am especially proud to announce that the CIty Council of Los Angeles has formally recognized Out West as an "Angel in the City of Angels!" 

Gregory Hinton, Creator and Producer, Out West at the Autry at
gregoryhinton@earthlink.net

Get your "slow food" on at Tuesday Farmers Market

Cindy Ridenour, president of the Tuesday Farmers Market board of directors, says that the market will bring in two "slow food" chefs during the summer to teach buyers about using fresh ingredients. Said Ridenour in today's Wyoming Tribune-Eagle: "These chefs will be showing how to get back to cooking with real natural foods that you can get at our market rather than reaching for the Cheez Whiz or Bisquick." So stroll onto the Depot Plaza in downtown Cheyenne to find fresh local foods and fine handmade crafts. Products featured this Tuesday, June 12, 3-6:30 p.m.:

• Locally-raised fresh vegetables
• Colorado Western Slope cherries
• Locally raised mushrooms
• Grass-fed beef, lamb, and bison, pork, poultry, goat's meat
• Farm fresh eggs
• Bratwurst, chowders, bisque, smoked wild-caught salmon, tamales
• Dine on the plaza or take-home BBQ
• Locally produced honey, jams and jellies, hot sauce
• Gourmet pastas, flavored oils and vinegars
• Fresh breads and baked goods
• Natural, locally-produced body care products
• Hand-crafted glass gifts, wood working, alpaca fiber crafts, photo cards and other crafts

Live Music by Franklin Taggart

In memoriam: Colorado writer Ed Quillen

Freelance journalist Ed Quillen died at 61 last Sunday in Salida, Colo., a place he put on the map with his humorous, curmudgeonly columns. For decades, his columns were a must-read for me. His final piece was in the June 6 Denver Post and focused on Colorado’s rep as “home of the Red Scare,” a tradition that goes back to the 1870s, with the labeling of Utes as “indigenous communists” who must go. Big Bill Haywood and other union leaders got the commie label later and now we have the Denver Republican Party inviting Fla. Repub Rep. Allen West to speak about modern-day commies in the ranks of the Democrats. Who’s a Colorado commie in Congress? Rep. Jared Polis, millionaire entrepreneur turned public servant. Ed, We are going to miss you! Read his final column at http://www.denverpost.com/quillen/ci_20543845/yet-another-red-scare?source=pkg. Read his obit at http://www.denverpost.com/obituaries/ci_20781716/denver-post-columnist-ed-quillen-dies-at-age

Democratic candidates drop in on Cheyenne Pride Day festivities

Lee Filer, candidate for Wyoming HD12

Two new Democratic Party candidates for the Wyoming State Legislature attended today's Cheyenne Pride Day picnic at Lions Park. Lee Filer is running in House District 12 and Gary Datus is running in HD 42. Both are newbies. Lee is a hard-working family man -- he's a railroader and a member of the Air National Guard -- and he's fired up to take on the Republican contenders still in the race (incumbent Amy Edmonds chose not to run). He's only 32, which makes him several decades younger than the average Wyoming House member. As a Dem and a Gen Y guy, he would automatically add to the diversity of the Legislature. Gary Datus was in education for 42 years, 27 of them as principal of Triumph H.S., Johnson Junior High, and others. Gary would be a good guy to have in the fight. Judging by their performance during the past two legislative sessions, Extremist Republicans have a low regard for publicly-funded educators -- publicly-funded anybody.

Incumbent Dems Mary Throne and Jim Byrd also spoke at the picnic, which is sponsored by Wyoming Equality. Jim Byrd spoke about the face that WE represents the kind of equality that he thinks the Equality State is all about -- equal right for everyone. He also pointed out that at least five House races in 2010 were decided by 20 votes or less. So get out there and vote, people!

And remember that Wyoming Equality is holding a dance and fund-raiser starting at 8 tonight at Suite 1901 in downtown Cheyenne. Tix are $5 for members, $10 for non-members.

Democrats in Laramie County say, "We ain't dead yet!"

This editorial cartoon on WyoFile illustrates the dilemma faced by badly outnumbered Dems in WY. But we Dems aren't ready to North Koreanize our state just yet. Read the comments on WyoFile: http://wyofile.com/2012/06/single-party-state/

From Joe Corrigan and Wendy Soto, Laramie County Democrats Grassroots Coalition:

Please join us at a “Meet the Candidates Open House” sponsored by the Laramie County Democrats Grassroots Coalition at the home of Joe Corrigan, Treasurer, 3626 Dover Road, Cheyenne, on Sunday, June 24, 1-5 p.m.

We've all heard fellow Democrats say, "I wish we had more people running on our side of the ticket," or, "I wish our party were stronger." As Wyoming Democrats we are accustomed to playing the role of underdog. However, in these trying times, when ultra conservatives would like to destroy the moderation which is the hallmark of Wyoming politics, we have no choice; we must become stronger NOW.

The truth is the Wyoming Democratic Party is strongest when we all get involved. We must back our candidates, volunteer our time and energy, donate a little of our hard earned cash, and give our candidates the encouragement and support they need to survive the campaign and more important, to win elections. One step in the right direction is to join us on June 24 to meet candidates and raise money for the Laramie County Democrats Grassroots Coalition. All money raised will go toward providing resources and support for our candidates. In return, you'll meet these impressive candidates, shake hands with some hard working elected officials, get to know energetic fellow Democrats, enjoy delicious refreshments, and have a good time!

We are suggesting a minimum donation of $25 for this event, but all donations will be greatly appreciated. If you can't attend the Open House but you want to show your support for the Laramie County Democrats Grassroots Coalition, please send your contribution to LCDGC at PO Box 2986, Cheyenne, Wyoming, 82003. We hope to see you on June 24!!!  

Please RSVP by calling Joe at 630.6192 or Wendy at 635.2609 by June 18, 2012.

WY Wilderness Association hosts a weekend of art and nature at Honeycomb Buttes

From a press release from the Wyoming Wilderness Association:

The Wyoming Wilderness Association is excited to be hosting a weekend of art and nature with Joan Hoffmann, extraordinary oil and pastel artist from Colorado and Vermont, conservationist and teacher.

Friday- Sunday June, 15-17, Hoffmann will inspire painters of any medium or skill level, in a car campout near Honeycomb Buttes. Saturday morning artists will rendezvous to set up car camping near the Honeycombs, with short day hikes to paint, and campfire critiques and stories to follow. Sunday morning, artists will paint the gorgeous Honeycomb Buttes for a grand finale of an inspiring art-filled weekend. This opportunity is free and open to the public. For more information, contact Martha Tate at 307-672-2751 or visit WWA’s website at http://www.wildwyo.org/

Wyoming Wilderness Association encourages everyone to take advantage of the summer, get out and explore the wild parts of the state, and find out what makes Wyoming and its wilderness areas so special.

WY ACLU and WY Equality urge WY to live up to its "Equality State" motto

Say Amen:

The ACLU of Wyoming is teaming up with Wyoming Equality to fight for lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) rights and marriage equality in Wyoming because we believe in a society that values fairness and equality.

Say Amen again, brothers and sisters:

The true measure of us as a state is how we treat each other. Every individual should have the opportunity to make a lifetime commitment legally to the person he or she loves. Want to help us fight for LGBT rights and marriage equality in Wyoming? Please contact us to find out ways to get involved. More info at http://acluwyomingchapter.blogspot.com/2012/06/equal-rights-in-equality-state.html

Cheyenne Pride Day: BBQ by day, dance by night

Cheyenne Pride takes place on Saturday, June 9.

Lions Park Gazebo. Free hot dogs and hamburgers from 12:00 - 4:00 pm

Dance at Suite 1901 from 8:00 pm - 1:00 am. Admission: $5.00 members, $10.00 non-members

Sponsored by Wyoming Equality. 

Go cowboy crazy this weekend over Joanne Kennedy's "Cowboy Crazy"

My writing pal Joanne Kennedy debuts her new novel from 6-8 p.m. tomorrow (June 9) at Barnes & Noble in Cheyenne. It's called "Cowboy Crazy" and it's her first novel with a laughing cowboy on the cover. The guys on the cover always look so seriously hunkish. But this one looks positively gleeful (although still equipped with dangerous pecs bared by an open shirt). For years, Joanne was a member of our local writing critique group and I got to know her work well. Not that I'm a fan of studly cowboys, but I am a fan of good writing and of stories well told. Go out and buy "Cowboy Trouble " or "Cowboy Fever" or "Tall, Dark and Cowboy" or... you get the picture.

Petersen: Diverse voices needed in Wyoming Legislature

Kathleen Petersen: Diverse voices needed in Legislature -- Wyoming Tribune Eagle Online:

Giving a voice to the people, especially minority groups, is what prompted Kathleen Petersen's run in state House District 8. 

She hopes to increase the number of women and Democrats in the Wyoming Legislature to offer a more balanced mix of perspectives, she said. 

“I just feel for a good, balanced government, you need to hear from more than one demographic.”

That one demographic is old (or aging) conservative white guys. I have nothing against aging legislators, it's just their calcified brains and hardened hearts that piss me off. So, if we can just get a few more women or minorities or just-plain Democrats in the Legislature, we'll be light years ahead of where we are now, which is somewhere in the Triassic Era.

I especially welcome Kathleen's District 8 bid. That's my district. We used to have a woman legislator representing us -- Lori Millin. Our current rep, Repub Bob Nicholas, is another predictable Republican with predictably bad voting patterns.

Take a serious look at Kathleen for the upcoming election. Read the WTE profile at above link.

Wyoming's only largest Juneteenth celebration set for June 16 in Cheyenne

This comes from Nancy Sindelar's excellent e-newsletter. BTW, the Chris you see named at the bottom of your screen is my lovely wife, YMCA membership coordinator and fellow NAACP member.  You can catch her talking about Juneteenth on Channel 5 tomorrow morning, some time between 6-7 a.m. Here's the news:

Saturday, June 16th, Cheyenne:  Juneteenth Cultural Park Festival.  Celebrate the day the Blacks in Texas finally found out they were no longer slaves, more than two years after the Emancipation Proclamation.  Food and merchandise vendors, rap groups, demonstrations and non-profits.  11 AM, Martin Luther King, Jr. Park, Ames Ave at Martin Luther King Ct.  Info:  Chris, 634-9622 ext13.  Free.  

Wisconsin defeat as seen from Wyoming

There you have it (from Blowing in the Wyoming Wind):

"...with surprising support from union households, Wisconsin voters retained a governor who promised to destroy the labor movement in a state with a proud history of protecting worker's rights... Nearly 40% of Wisconsin union members voted to retain the man [Scott Walker] who loathes them."  

This union member in Right-to-Work Wyoming is disgusted. We start every day knowing the cards are stacked against us. We have to stand together or perish.