Young People Prefer Using The Expanding Lightrail Over Driving

Many students who attend Colorado institutions of higher learning commute to their campuses by using public transportation including the expanding Denver RTD Light rail system. Students view the light rail system as a cheaper, more convenient way to get to school and there is yet to be a campus that does not approve RTD fees by vote. The light rail makes stops on Auraria Campus and University of Denver Campus and there are plans to expand to Red Rocks Community College and CU-Boulder by the end of the decade.

"I just think it’s easier to get to school on the train than to drive," said Belinda Joyce, 20, CU- Denver student. "I care more about my cell phone than my car."

Joyce takes the light rail to Auraria to get to class and often talks on the phone or listens to her ipod during the commute. The campus charges at least $2.00 per day to park a car on campus, so it is more affordable for her to use public transportation. She says the only place she drives to regularly is 24 Hour Fitness. 

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.

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.

Arson Suspected as Cause of Tragic Fire at Lincoln Downs Race Track

Police suspect arson is the cause of a barn fire that occurred at Lincoln Downs Race Track in Springfield this morning at 4 AM, one day before the opening of racing season.

15 of the 25 horses that were stabled in the barn are dead. “These are my best friends,” said Albert Ramos, horse jockey. “I feel like I want to cry.”

Is Your Fake Smile Hurting Your Health?

A recent article published in the New York Times sheds light on new research that suggests that a fake smile can actually have negative health effects. A fake smile is a form of “surface acting,” which can actually lead to mood deterioration and withdrawal. To put it bluntly, a fake smile causes stress. Students from the Metropolitan State College of Denver responded to the findings.

Tips from Frederick Cole to Improve Quality of Journalism

     Frederick Cole, 83, is old school. A self-educated, retired, newspaper editor who began his career as a copy boy at the age of 16, Cole has a critical viewpoint of the new era of journalism. When Cole first began working, “The newsroom was the education.” The philosophy was that there is more to learning than taking courses. The new era of media is drowning in semantics; the rise of college education, technology and specialization has created an environment where the medium (newspaper) matters more than the media (the article).

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Homecoming? Not so much...



Photo by John Dwyer



Q:" Do you know about Metro's homecoming?"

A: "I just saw it on a flyer."

Q: "Are you going?"

A: "Uhhhhhhhh, no."

Interview by: Josh Gaines and John Dwyer

Metropolitan State College Strategic Name Change Initiative

Attention: Metropolitan State College is going to change its name.

The four new names are:

Denver State University (DSU)

University of Central Colorado (UCC)

Metroplitan State University of Denver (MSUD)

Metro State College of Denver (MSCD)

How To Vote
An electronic survey has been distributed via email to staff, faculty, alumni, current students, community members and business leaders. Available at www.mscd.edu/namechange, voting begins February 10, 2011 and last until 2/28/2011.




More Information After the Jump

John Alexander, A Hero of the Denver Community

If you have ever rode the light rail to Colfax at Auraria, chances are you would recognize John Alexander, a hero of our community. This friendly and caring gentleman distributes the Denver Voice Newspaper, available for $1, on the corner of Main Street and Colfax. The proceeds for this non-profit business benefit the homeless by telling the stories of real local homeless people. The newspaper also provides important job opportunities to 1500 people annually. A version of this local newspaper is available in major cities in nearly all 50 states and internationally.
By helping to personify the homeless, Johnny, as he likes to be called, is doing valiant work for our local Denver citizens. The monthly paper tells the stories of people who are unfortunately homeless in our local community; just because a person is homeless does not mean they are helpless. Johnny is one of the foremost leaders providing for those who are down on their luck and suffering through hard times. As the number one “salesman” for the North American Street Paper Organization in the not only our state but the entire nation, Johnny is literally leading the charge to combat homelessness. But Mr. Alexander is not doing his important work for any type of recognition, as he told me “I do not consider myself a salesman because I do not have clients or customers. Instead I know that we are all one big family and my work goes to helping my brothers and sisters who are struggling.”
Johnny’s work in the community is invaluable and selfless. Indeed his only condition for allowing me the privilege to interview him, was for me to print him a copy of the article for placement into his scrapbook. He also wanted ensure that a special thanks was given to Rick Barnes, the passionate man who re-started The Denver Voice in the mid 2000’s, after it temporarily went under for a short time. The paper, which was initially launched in 1997, provided employment to 1600 people in 2010, so Rick Barnes contributions are felt by many.
I call Johnny a hero because without people like him our community would be immeasurably more fragile. God has placed people like John A. and Rick B. in our community. These local heros are not subject to much praise or accolades in this life, but it can be certain that a spot reserved for them in the highest heavens. Nearly every time I come to campus I see the approachable Johnny speaking with the many friends he has made, and I always hear people saying “thank you.” His valiant work is an important community service and has touched many lives.

Sources of News for Consumers and Journalist

The following are five sources of internet news that i could use as consumer. These websites have a variety of current event information. They are essentially the equivalent of TV news stations available on the internet
1. http://www.msn.com/
2. http://www.newsweek.com/
3. http://www.yahoo.com/
4. http://www.nytimes.com/
5. http://www.espn.com/-for sports news


the following are sources of internet news that i could use as a journalist. The reason I have profiled these websites as news sources I could use as a journalist is that they are the first hand accounts, primary sources, of information. The only way to get closer is to follow on twitter, but since tweets can be misinterpreted…
1. census- http://www.census.gov/
2. congress- http://www.house.gov/
3. presidential information- http://www.whitehouse.gov/
4. lil wayne’s official website- http://www.lilwayne-online.com/default.aspx
5. information on the broncos- http://www.denverbroncos.com/