December 2008 Archive

As we close out another year and look forward to 2009, the Denver Urban Spectrum would like to thank our supporters and readers for another year of spreading the news about people of color.

More than 250,000 people gathered at Chicago's Grant Park along the Lake Michigan shoreline to celebrate the victory of Barack Obama. Following are remarks by President-Elect Barack Obama, Nov. 4, 2008, Chicago, IL...

The chance to live a dream, have independence and control over one’s own images, to bring cultures together, and be the...

As Barack Obama journeys to the White House, DUS contributor Misti Aas shares the last three rallies in Colorado with President-Elect Barack Obama, Vice President-Elect Joe Biden and First Lady Michelle Obama.

Mark Udall may be Colorado’s newest senator, but six days before November’s election, he was walking the streets of Five Points, reaching out to minority business owners and community members as a hopeful candidate and Barack Obama advocate.

The team of Chef Scott Durrah and Wanda James open their second location. Named “Best of Denver, 2008” by Westword Magazine and “Top of the Town, 2007” by 5280, the owners of 8 Rivers Modern Caribbean Restaurant are proud to announce their second location in downtown Denver. The new location seat 100 people, has a bar with one of the best rum selections in Denver, a lounge area with a fireplace and a great mural of Bob Marley...

When fashion designer Chris Christmas stood at the podium after receiving the Chairman’s Award at the Colorado Black Chamber of Commerce Entrepreneur of the Year Awards Dinner, he made a point to recognize those who had helped and inspired him...

Denver Urban Spectrum publisher, Rosalind "Bee" Harris pays tribute to her late mother Ruth Boyd, in the aftermath of her untimely passing.

The holiday season is here again. But amidst the hustle and bustle of gift-giving and family get-togethers, seniors enrolled in Medicare Part D should carve out time to consider whether they want to stay with their current prescription drug plan...

More than 100 local dignitaries, community leaders and elected officials gathered at the University of Denver’s Cable Center for the launch of The Nielsen Company’s new electronic television measurement technology; the Local People Meter (LPM).

With a name like Chris Christmas, it is no wonder that this Colorado native is a man of faith and principle, who was raised in a home that fostered children and is a national spokesperson for foster care. Christmas also tends to give more than he receives, and is the luxury brand designer and chief creative officer of the Chris Christmas line of jewelry and accessories sold locally, nationally and internationally...

Flu season is upon us. Influenza is a very contagious respiratory illness that causes fever, body aches, severe fatigue, sore throat, runny nose and dry cough. Complications such as pneumonia, sinus infections and worsening of chronic medical conditions can occur...

Cleo Parker Robinson Dance presents Granny Dances to a Holiday Drum with Margarita Taylor as Granny and exciting new music by Mark Caldwell.

When I heard Senator Barack Obama address the 2004 Democratic National Convention, I went to the phone to call the young people of my family to tell them to turn on television to watch the next President of the United States...

While America celebrates with the election of Barack Obama as the first African American to become president of the United States, the reverberations of change are gaining new meaning in Colorado where African Americans now hold the posts of speaker and president in the state house and senate respectively.

Welcome to the new America. I’m not talking about a blue America or a red America. I’m talking about a 21st century America – a nation of many colors, cultures and faiths. Barack Obama’s election as the first African-American president symbolizes what we have known for some time, but often fail to acknowledge: The United States has become one of the most religiously and ethnically diverse societies on Earth...

First African-American President Victorius In Monumental Election Season OpEd...

During what many see as an economic crisis, local Denver organizer Deborah Fard is working hard to bring financial relief to the Five Points community by hosting the annual Ujamaa Market which unites local business owners, craft makers and artists with community members from across the state of Colorado.

"Archbishop Desmond Tutu is the quintessential messenger of peace and tolerance," said Denver Mayor John Hickenlooper. He introduced Tutu at the inaugural lecture of the Insight Speaker Series which was held recently at the Wells Fargo Theater in the Convention Center. Tutu is the renowned South African Episcopal prelate and anti-apartheid activist, whose work earned him the 1984 Nobel Peace Prize...

Nov. 5, 2008 Dear Brother Obama, You have no idea, really, of how profound this moment is for us.You think you know, because you are thoughtful, and you have studied our history. But seeing you deliver the torch so many others before you carried, year after year, decade after decade, century after century, only to be struck down before igniting the flame of justice and of law, is almost more than the heart can bear...

Food pantries and local providers of emergency services are facing a stark reality for the year ahead. In the last 12 months we see that overall demand throughout the metro region has surged from 300 plus to well over 1,000 people a month in many agencies. The staff of local support services is worn out and demand seeks to outstrip services as the unemployment numbers far exceed the projected impact of the economy in every sector. Analysts see that unemployment will continue to rise for 14 quarters before we hit bottom.

Ward Connerly, the anti-affirmative action millionaire from California, steamrolled into Colorado like a heavyweight champion. Like Clubber Lane from the movie Rocky III, Connerly and his Amendment 46 seemed unstoppable with prior statewide ballot victories in California, Washington, and Michigan. The undefeated champion was the odds-on favorite in Colorado, boasting tremendous financial resources and deceptive ballot language that gave him a huge 18 point lead in the early polls...

City Smarts: With a spectacular natural setting, thriving urban centers, vibrant neighborhoods, and a globally-competitive economy, Seattle is an outstanding place to live, visit and to do business. Some of the world’s most recognizable and successful businesses are located in Seattle and the surrounding four-county Puget Sound region: Boeing Commercial Airplanes, Microsoft, Starbucks, Amazon.com, Costco, Paccar, Weyerhaeuser, WaMU and Nordstrom.

Ask Deanna! is an advice column known for its fearless approach to reality-based subjects. Ask Deanna! can be heard every Sunday on KTYM AM 1460 at 3 p.m. in Los Angeles, CA.

Real Men Cook Kicks Off 19th Annual Father's Day Celebration Chicago -- Real Men Cook, America's premiere urban Father's Day family tradition that pays tribute to the family, will be held in 11 cities on Father’s Day, June 15

Well, it’s finally here and none too soon to enjoy the many summer events happening in the Mile High City.

Family Member Gives A Proud Wink For Lodge...

Movie reviews by Kam Williams

Review our selections

Welcome to the new America. I’m not talking about a blue America or a red America. I’m talking about a 21st century America – a nation of many colors, cultures and faiths. Barack Obama’s election as the first African-American president symbolizes what we have known for some time, but often fail to acknowledge: The United States has become one of the most religiously and ethnically diverse societies on Earth...

The holiday season is here again. But amidst the hustle and bustle of gift-giving and family get-togethers, seniors enrolled in Medicare Part D should carve out time to consider whether they want to stay with their current prescription drug plan...

Nov. 5, 2008 Dear Brother Obama, You have no idea, really, of how profound this moment is for us.You think you know, because you are thoughtful, and you have studied our history. But seeing you deliver the torch so many others before you carried, year after year, decade after decade, century after century, only to be struck down before igniting the flame of justice and of law, is almost more than the heart can bear...

"Archbishop Desmond Tutu is the quintessential messenger of peace and tolerance," said Denver Mayor John Hickenlooper. He introduced Tutu at the inaugural lecture of the Insight Speaker Series which was held recently at the Wells Fargo Theater in the Convention Center. Tutu is the renowned South African Episcopal prelate and anti-apartheid activist, whose work earned him the 1984 Nobel Peace Prize...

More than 250,000 people gathered at Chicago's Grant Park along the Lake Michigan shoreline to celebrate the victory of Barack Obama. Following are remarks by President-Elect Barack Obama, Nov. 4, 2008, Chicago, IL...