New This Week

After spending hours and weeks with our sources, we wrote -- and then wrote some more -- about them. Check out our feature articles on a range of topics and personalities below!

Monday, April 25, 2011

Quiet the Mind on Campus...

There is a meditation club at the Metropolitan State college of Denver and they are putting on a free seminar to get students, faculty and staff involved in Buddhist Meditation.
With all of the craziness that surrounds the later parts of the spring semester it seems quieting the mind could be a good idea. Of course holding free seminars is never a bad idea for sudents. In The Footsteps of Buddha seems like a good tag line to get people to try it out. Doesn't everyone wish they could quiet their mind like Buddha? Especially with finals coming down the pike?
The picture of a Zen filled area with a giant Buddha in it does offer some idea of a tranquil place in an otherwise hectic campus.

Unite for Japan


"Unite for Japan" a benefit concert featuring  Denver Taiko, local rock & hip hop groups, a dance crew and many more. Unite for Japan is a night of fun but with a great cause.

Read more..

Additives and Law Enforcement

If you are able to sift through the fliers promoting bands, lectures, privatized law enforcement, and Mexican food, one may find that some around campus are actually trying to make our future healthier. The Additive Wars have put out a series of "Wanted" posters to raise awareness for the harmful things commonly found in processed  food. They are essentially creating a bad public image of, in one case, aspartame. By personifying the chemical in a red, fang-toothed manner, students know this is a bad thing. Then by promoting themselves as the leaders of a crusade to end all food additives, consumers must feel there is someone competent heading this fight.

But is this tactic working? I must admit I am much more aware and concerned about additives, which seems to be the campaigns only goal, as it does not promote a meeting or lecture of any sort, gives no tips or detailed information, does not even offer a website, phone number or address. Just "this stuff is bad, we want to get rid of it and make everything better." This is targeted at anyone who is interested in their health or food safety, but the flyer is simple enough to attract and interest anyone who passes by. A clever marketing campaign without any victims.

That's more than can be said for the posters advocating a new privatized law system.I'm sure many students have immediately noticed the large pictures of squad cars with their lights a blaze. A symbol which is clearly intended to scare or startle the people that walk by who have a similar reaction to the real thing. It represents a system most college kids are unsatisfied with and backs it up with the large letters "DO WE NEED GOVERNMENT?" Then, anyone who is inclined to read the fine print is lulled into thinking the organization behind it is the sound, logical men who will bring us all to a new age of peace.

Rarities and Oddities: BNC Targets Auraria Campus Students

The Ballet Nouveau Colorado is targeting the Auraria campus for their April 22-24 performance of Rarities and Oddities. Many 11" x 17" posters plaster the campus with a style that may be lost on the average student.

If this was not a commuter campus, I feel that this campaign might have a chance. The poster is cute, mysterious and fun. It catches your attention, you have to study it, and it is memorable. All the things you want when conveying a message to the public.

 Why This Message Failed

I am busy student. My time is at a premium. The BNC poster requires time to digest it's meaning. Is this time that I could be spending reading an assignment? I see a couple in miniature with odd cloths, leaping from the . hands of a much larger women in tinted goggles. Odd and rare indeed, but do I want to see this performance. I do like the arts, and I love ballet. Auraria is a commuter campus, students work, struggle to pay bills, and study. The ballet is a hard-sell. There was no information about student discounts, matinee times, or an on-campus performance to generate interest.

They were advertising on campus, but forgot the audience.


420 Wellness Presents Too Short and Hipnautic Concert on 5.6.11

In the hallway of West Classroom I came across a flyer on the bullitin board advertising a Too Short Concert at Casselmans Bar on 26 and Walnut. It was appropriate for this time of year because as we approach the summer season, many young people will be seeking more nightlife. There are logos of  the radio stations Jammin 101.5 and hot 107.1, local radio stations of the Denver Metro Area. I think the flyer is trying to create awareness that there are events happening so it is a great place to hang out with my friends.

On the back side of the flyer is an add fro 420 wellness. 420 was just last week so the memories do the event are still fresh on my mind. It seems like a good idea to connect a medical marijuana dispensary to a bar and concert because the people going out to party would seemingly also be interested in drug use. The adverstiment has a coupon which gives incentive to hold on to the flyer and not dispose of it like so many other flyers which just become trash.

US Bank behind Metro's Convenient ID/Credit Card

US Bank is a partner with Metro State for the "Metro State OneCard", which allows you to use your ID card as a VISA Check Card. All you have to do is open a student checking account with US Bank, and the Metro State OneCard serves as your ID for anything on campus that requires an ID, and also a Check card that is acceptable anywhere VISA is. Quite simply, it's just one less card to carry in your wallet. 



Who is Targeting Metro State Students?

Walking around campus it is hard not to notice the screaming over-filled bulletin boards covering the hallways. It is almost impossible not to at least notice some of the brightly colored or outrageous posters.







Raising Money For Japan!


This weekend Toyota Scion and City Hall hosted “Mountain Of Arms: Japan Relief,” a benefit concert to help raise money for Japan.

Auraria's Got Talent!

Have a special or secret talent that you'd like to share with fellow classmates? Public Relation representatives of The Office of Student Life are currently advertising fliers all around the Auraria Campus for "Auraria's Got Talent", a talent show open to all staff, faculty and students. See how their ways of advertisement around campus are attracting students to this event.

Advertisement Encouragment

What do public relation representatives focus on to get the attention of students on a college campus? What types of companies advertise on campus and what do their ads do that make us want to utilize their product?

From Homeless to Harvard

The Center for Urban Connections, the Student Association of Social Workers (SASW), the Institute for Women’s Studies and Services and Metropolitan State College of Denver have organized a movement to raise awareness on campus about homelessness issues by promoting the book, “Breaking Night: A Memoir of Forgiveness, Survival, and My Journey from Homeless to Harvard” by Liz Murray. 

Wednesday, April 13, 2011

Heart of Gold, not Steel

Mark Allen, of Mesa, Ariz., has a heart that needs tune-up and a car that dreams are made of.

Justin Merow Knows The Future Is All About YOUth

The nonprofit work of Justin Merow has vaulted to him to hero status here on the Auraria Campus. Divine America, the company Merow founded last year, continues work on its mission to inspire American youth culture to achieve more through education and the arts. Merow is also associated with Mile High Divine Club, an non-profit on-campus group founded with the purpose of hosting community events. The organizations have already helped numerous young people from Denver achieve goals and Justin Merow is surely one of the most prominent persons on Auraria campus.


Monday, April 11, 2011

Learn MMA from an experienced fighter!

Gumm MMA is a small gym in Lakewood owned and operated by Brad Gumm, a former UFC veteran. This mixed martial artist has years of experience to back up his coaching skills. Read about Brad!

Broadcast Journalism: What They Don't Tell You.


Phyllis Washington
 Reporters scream at their editors as the deadline for the 6 o’clock news approaches. Phyllis Washington, a former intern for Channel 4 News is now a Graduate Advisor for the University of Colorado at Denver Global Energy Management Department. Phyllis had no idea that broadcast journalism would be a such a battlefield.

Coffee, Conversation, and Creativity

There are many hidden talents to be found in Edwards, Colo. This small mountain town is home to artists of all sorts. Musical, visual, culinary, and all other varieties of showmen are bound to be seen touring the two and half mile area. But one only needs to look for a good cup of coffee to find one of the most interesting and friendly characters in Edwards. Enter Fern Leonardo, a multifaceted man about town.

An Ice-Crystal in the Rough

Photo by Ian Ospina
A 19-year-old pizza-cook from Clear Creek County plans to use his love, history, commitment and dedication for snowboarding to set himself apart from the masses of aspiring snowboarders that inhabit Colorado. He hopes to become a professional snowboarder as a career.

Colorado Radio Legends Back on the Air

There is not a more recognizable sports radio tandem in Colorado history than Irv Brown and Joe Williams. Their combined age is a 3-digit number, but you would think you were listening to two kids when they are on air. It’s not unusual for Irv to call Joe an idiot, or for Joe to tell Irv to “quit cryin’”. Irv and Joe have worked together on the airwaves for more than 30 years, and even after taking some time apart, the two “knuckleheads“ are back gabbing about Colorado sports. “Joe was going to go on vacations,” Brown said “but there are only so many art galleries he could go to.”

Finding New Ground in the World of Nutrition

“I look at each client as if they are a newborn. What does this body need to grow, and what will do the best job of nourishing this particular person.” Said Linda Potter, of Parker, CO. Potter is a triple certified nutritionist that has spent her entire life building her career from the ground up. Potter goes above and beyond to add a unique element to her services while reaching out to as many people as possible.

Former Bronco Hopeful About New Coaching Opportunity

Photo by Denver Post
The Metropolitan State College of Denver is in the process of adding the sport of football to their athletic program. The new team has added a small coaching staff. One member of the coaching staff that is a well known Denver Bronco football legacy is Louis Wright.


Balancing the Numbers with Alees Seehausen

Life is complicated and busy for Seehausen. She is a scholar/athlete at Metropolitan State College of Denver. She would say her life at MSCD is the same as every other student; it’s about finding balance.

“I would like to find a happy medium, I don’t know how to do that yet,” said Alees Seehausen. She is on a path of self-discovery. She is learning what works for her to achieve that balance of life and school.

Interviewing Janet: Miss Jackson If you're Nasty!


Photo Credit: Denver Metro Mix
Her name is Janet, Miss Jackson if you’re nasty! Singer/actress/icon Janet Jackson performed a sold out show this Thursday night in Denver as a part of her “Up Close & Personal World Tour.” She also took time out of her day to answer questions about her tour, music and her brother, Michael.  Jackson has sold 40 million records worldwide and is part of the most talked about family in pop culture. 

Raised by an Addict

Photo by Narconon Drug Rehab Blog News Center


As she prepares to spread veggie cream cheese on her freshly toasted bagel Brandee Houston says “I’m very lucky to be alive and have the great life that I do.” A student at Metro State of Denver, and an exceptionally well put together young lady, Houston has a lot to be thankful for after a long life of hardships and mistreatment.