Denver.BloggersPub

January 31 and February 1, 2008 

Rock ’n Roll meets Ice Carving — and the results are going to be a blast!

The Rock on Ice team is comprised of six world champion and certified ice carvers who thrill audiences by creating beautiful ice sculptures in only minutes with rock n’ roll music as the backdrop.

On Thursday and Friday, stroll around the base area during the day to watch ice carving demos.  Then, starting at 6 PM on Thursday, watch out!  “Dueling Chainsaws” features carvers and their chainsaws with just 20 minutes each to create a work of ice art.  The audience gets to decide who wins the dueling event.

On Friday at 6 PM, be entertained by the Rock on Ice finale, with a high-energy show of ice carving choreographed to rock ‘n roll.

Stick around for après ski and tubing after the lifts close each afternoon.  Prior to the evening shows, autograph sessions will take place where kids can have their names carved into a block of ice.

For more details, see the Rock on Ice web page.

Sounds way cool, doesn’t it?

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January 15 @ 7 PM (Colorado Springs)
January 16 @ 7:30 PM (Boulder)
January 17 @ 7:30 PM (Evergreen)
January 18 @ 7 PM (Montrose)

If you’re tired of hearing all the gloom and doom about terrible things happening in the world, and need something to boost your hopes for the new year of 2008, make it a point to come hear about what Greg Mortenson has been doing since 1993 to promote peace in the very troubled regions of Afghanistan and Pakistan by building schools — over 60 schools so far.

Tom Brokaw had this to say about Mortenson’s story, told in the book “Three Cups of Tea”:

“Three Cups of Tea is one of the most remarkable adventure stories of our time. Greg Mortenson’s dangerous and difficult quest to build schools in the wildest parts of Pakistan and Afghanistan is not only a thrilling read, it’s proof that one ordinary person, with the right combination of character and determination, really can change the world.”

Congresswoman Mary Bono (R-CA) said:

“I’ve learned more from Greg Mortenson about the causes of terrorism than I did during all our briefings on Capitol Hill. He is a true hero, whose creativity, courage, and compassion exemplify the true ideals of the American spirit.”

Greg will be speaking at 3 Front Range locations in January 2008, and a representative of Central Asia Institute (CAI), his non-profit organization, will be telling his story in Montrose as well.  Please visit our calendar for more details on each event (free tickets are required in advance for several) and links to more details.

We predict that Greg Mortenson may someday earn a Nobel Peace prize.  We also predict that you’ll come away from one of these presentations (or from reading his book) feeling truly inspired about what can be done by even just one person.

It inspired us so much that we’ve worked to organize a program locally, sponsored by Altrusa of Montrose, including a kick-off to a “Pennies for Peace” drive in some of our schools and local organizations.

Use this link to order “Three Cups of Tea” from Amazon, and a small amount of the proceeds of the sale will go to CAI.

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I’m back from college for six weeks (Carleton is on trimesters), and I got a job at a movie theater to help pass the time/earn some money. Up until last night, I didn’t like the job very much. I was bored most of the time when I was at the theater, usually reading for most of my shift. That all changed Friday night. A reenactment of my internal dialogue:

This job is boring. This job is boring. This job is boring. Oh shit, customers. At least I’ll have something to do. Why is that old guy saying “I’ve met you a few times, I’m Steve?” to that guy? “Nice to see you.” How is this man answering that with such poise? He clearly doesn’t know who Steve is. What did Steve just say about a California boy in Colorado? Woops, customers. Whoa. WHOA. HOLD THE PHONE. Is that? Who is that? NO! NO WAY!

I say “What can I get for you?” He says “2 for Into the Wild.” WHOA JOHN LYNCH IS SEEING AN ARTSY MOVIE. Should I tell him nice game? He did have a big hit. But we lost, he’s probably here for an escape. I don’t want to be that guy. I won’t say anything about that. I say “any popcorn, candy, soda, beer, wine?” He says “Uhhhh. Can I have some red vines, and what do you want (to wife).” “I’ll have some Dots and um…a medium…um…can I get three quarters Diet Pepsi one quarter Diet Dr. Pepper?” YEAH YOU CAN, I’LL MAKE JOHN LYNCH’S WIFE ANY CRAZY DRINK SHE WANTS. “Yup. That it for you?” John Lynch says “Can I have a small Sierra Mist too?” “Yup.” So I get ‘em their snacks etc, then John Lynch hands me his silver AmEx, which I covertly inspect for his name. HOLY CRAP JOHN LYNCH DOESN’T HAVE A WALLET OR A MONEY CLIP, HE JUST WRAPS 20 DOLLAR BILLS AROUND HIS IMPORTANT CARDS. WHAT A GENIUS. Not a black card? Really? Oddly enough, the card reader doesn’t like his AmEx. So he gives me another one, which works fine. John Lynch is signing a credit card receipt. Whoa. John Lynch’s autograph. Should I ask him for one? No, I don’t want to be that guy. John Lynch walks away. HOLY CRAP JOHN LYNCH! Was I taller than John Lynch? That’s not possible…I think I was! I’m as tall as John Lynch, maybe taller!

He came back for a medium popcorn. The other guy working asked for his autograph.

So to recap, John Lynch likes Red Vines, Sierra Mist, medium popcorns, and John Krakauer novel adaptations. He also dislikes wallets and money clips. I’m roughly John Lynch’s height, though I’m not as ferocious a hitter.

I still don’t really like the job.

If Denny Neagle was using steroids, then why was he soliciting prostitutes? I mean, if steroids shrink a man’s normal-sized balls to M and M proportions, wouldn’t his sex drive go down? I probably just have an inadequate knowledge of the reproductive system, but from a layman’s view, something doesn’t fit here. That’s what she said. So Denny Neagle must have had a massive sex drive to start with or something. That, or he’s got an airtight defense lined up for a libel suit against Mitchell.

None of the big names currently on the Rockies have been outed by the Mitchell report, which was released today. However, the following current and former Rockies players and personnel have been cited. I’m also including a list of people who mentioned in the report who had ties to the cited Rockies players. Position and year is relevant to the players’ tenure with the Rockies. Unless otherwise stated, the players mentioned did not cooperate with the investigation.

Bobby Estalella, Catcher, 2002-03
Substances: HGH, Clomid
Sources: Greg Anderson
Circumstances: Started using HGH and Clomid when recovering from shoulder surgery in 2002, as recommended by Greg Anderson.
Notes: Dodgers scouts noted in 2003 that Estalella was a “poster boy for the chemicals.”

Larry Bigbie, Outfielder, 2005
Substances: Deca-Durabolin, testosterone, Sustanon, anti-estrogen drugs, HGH
Sources: David Segui, Kirk Radomski
Circumstances: Started using Deca-Burabolin, testosterone, and Sustanon in 2001 in an attempt to be more competitive on advice from David Segui. Switched to HGH in 2004 on advice from Kirk Radomski.
Notes: Bigbie has been cooperating with investigators, and noted specifically that he did not use substances during his sting with the Rockies.

Jack Cust, Outfielder, 2002
Substances: Unknown
Sources: Larry Bigbie
Circumstances: Was at least taking steroids by 2003.
Notes: Bigbie’s locker was next to Cust’s at Baltimore’s AAA Ottawa. Cust admitted to Bigbie that he had been taking steroids and could obtain anything he wanted from an unnamed source. Bigbie mentioned Cust’s name to federal agents as a part of his cooperation with the investigation.

Greg Zaun, Catcher, 2003
Substances: Deca-Durabolin, Winstrol
Sources: Kirk Radomski, Luis Perez
Circumstances: Jason Grimsley referred Zaun to Kirk Radomski in 2001. Luis Perez also claimed to have supplied Zaun with steroids in 2002.
Notes: Radomski never actually spoke to Zaun, but did receive orders on his behalf and checks from Zaun.

Glenallen Hill, Coach, 2007
Substances: HGH, Sustanon
Sources: Kirk Radomski
Circumstances: There are differing accounts. Kirk Radomski claims to have met Hill socially in 2000 and sold him several HGH kits. Hill says he bought Sustanon from Radomski after being referred to him by a player named “David.”
Notes: Hill was required to submit to interview for the investigation because he is a current MLB employee. He claims to have never actually taken the substances he received from Radomski because he was too busy dealing with “marital stress” at the time, and retired from baseball only a few years later.

Denny Neagle, Pitcher, 2001-03
Substances: HGH, various anabolic steroids
Sources: Kirk Radomski, Dan McGinn
Circumstances: Neagle met Kirk Radomski in New York in 2000. Neagle ordered from Radomski several times between 2000 and 2004.
Notes: One order was from Dan McGinn, former Rockies clubhouse attendant, who sent a check to Radomski on behalf of Neagle.

Ron Villone, Pitcher, 2001
Substances: HGH
Sources: Kirk Radomski, Denny Neagle
Circumstances: Rockies pitcher Denny Neagle referred Villone to Kirk Radomski in 2001. Villone made three purchases between 2004 and 2005.
Notes: Villone tried to by HGH in 2006, after the federal investigation had searched Radomski’s home. Radomski told Villone he was dry.

Mike Lansing, Second Base, 1998-2000
Substances: HGH, testosterone
Sources: Kirk Radomski, David Segui
Circumstances: David Segui referred Lansing to Kirk Radomski between 1995 and 1997. Lansing ordered testosterone and HGH on February 5, 2002.
Notes: Kirk Radomski’s address book, which was seized by federal investigators in 2006, contained Lansing’s name and the address of a Colorado residence where Lansing lived when he played for the Rockies.

Kent Mercker, Pitcher, 2002
Substances: HGH
Sources: Kirk Radomski
Circumstances: Mercker ordered one kit of HGH from Kirk Radomski in 2002 when he was recovering from surgery.
Notes: 2002 is the year Mercker played on the Rockies.

Matt Herges, Pitcher, 2007-Present
Substances: HGH
Sources: Kirk Radomski, Paul LoDuca
Circumstances: Paul LoDuca referred Herges to Kirk Radomski. Herges made several orders between 2004 and 2005.
Notes: Herges called Radomski after the investigation asking for more HGH. Radomski replied that he was dry. Herges was an integral part of the Rockies’ 2007 run to the world series, becoming one of their most effective middle-inning relievers after his July call-up. The Rockies recently signed Herges to a one-year contract worth $2.5 million.

Gary Bennett Jr., Catcher, 2001-02
Substances: HGH
Sources: Kirk Radomski, Denny Neagle
Circumstances: Bennett was referred to Kirk Radomski by Denny Neagle. Bennett made one order for HGH in July 2003.

Sources and their implications
Coming Soon…

Got in some trouble recently with an obnoxious driver when I was trying to “be a responsible person taking a cab.” Now I can’t take cabs, but I still want to be responsible and not drive home after my frequent nights of drunken fun. That’s where you come in?

Qualifications:
-Responsible
-Valid Colorado driver’s license
-Know who Todd Sauerbrun is
-Don’t mind light physical abuse
-Turn off the stereo when told
-Comfortable working with criminals

Meet me outside the Cherry Cricket at 2am this Friday, bring resume. If I wake up at home instead of in a cell, you’ve got the job!

Rocky Mountain News
Previous DSZ Coverage

Todd Sauerbrun was cited for “general assault” on Saturday and apparently spent some time in detox, which I find hilarious. Who else could it have been though? Try to name one player Broncos player more likely to be cited for “general assault.” Exactly. Wouldn’t you figure the more violent players to be more criminally inclined? Todd Sauerbrun and Sebastian Janikowski probably have a criminal kicker convention every offseason btw.

Teh linxor

Travis Henry isn’t gonna be suspended for drug abuse next year, which is a definite positive. In reviewing this NFLPA story about his legal battles, it’s apparent that Henry got off the hook by attacking technicalities in the drug policy, rather than proving he didn’t do drugs. Basically, he’s being let go because an “expert of [his] choosing” wasn’t present at the initial, incriminating drug test. Apparently Henry also did an independent polygraph and hair test to prove he was innocent and gain Mike Shanahan’s support, but I’m not buying it. If the internet is to be believed, both of those tests can be beaten. Plus, look at how short Travis Henry’s hair is:

Just saying.

Relatedly:

Travis Henry played some nose guard in high school and was a Bills fan despite growing up in Florida. Nose guard? Really?

December 15 and 16, 2007 

When you were a kid, remember playing with a LEGO set?  Remember building a rectangular box and calling it a house, then feeling so proud when you managed to build a funny-looking stack that represented a person? 

How about the first time you saw a really incredible LEGO creation that made your efforts look totally lame?

In my case, I simply gave up.  However, there are people out there — adults! — who recognized a challenge and turned their LEGO skills into a true art.   They’ve even formed organizations, and the one I want to tell you about today is known as CowLUG — Colorado/Wyoming LEGO Users Group.

In September, these creative folks set up a large scale LEGO town over a two-day period at the Colorado Mills mall.   That was such a bit hit with local shoppers that they’re going to do it again on December 15 and 16.

If you can get there early on the 15th, you’ll have the best opportunity to watch these LEGO artists actually set up their amazing display.  Once the town is up and running — yes, there are moving objects as part of the display — members of CowLUG will be available to answer questions.

Photos are encouraged, and if you get inspired to try your creative hand with LEGO bricks, the LEGO Outlet store is right there in the mall, ready and waiting to fulfill your dreams!

Here’s a taste of what’s in store for you (wow!):

Here it is. They may have fallen short in the series, but these guys are a special group, I tell you.