KRCC is a member-supported community service of the Colorado College.
As last minute shoppers hit the stories today, holiday retail sales are shaping up to be the weakest since the early 1990s. As part of a statewide economic series from Rocky Mountain Community Radio, KGNU’s Claudia Cragg went out and about in Denver to ask people if the economic downturn would be affecting their holiday spending this year.
The official start of the holiday shopping season brings lists, sales, and one particular jingle. In front of grocery stores and big box stores often stands a volunteer ringing a bell, stationed next to a red kettle. It’s the Salvation Army, and this year, one area chapter is trying something a little bit different. KRCC’s Andrea Chalfin reports.
KRCC’s Michelle Mercer is in Brazil for a two-month artist’s residency. And while many across the United States are preparing for the holiday season, Michelle has this rare glimpse into a very special Brazilian holiday celebration on the island of Itaparica.
A Fourth of July audio postcard from Shanna Lewis in Westcliffe, CO.
Photo by Mark Lewis, CSAction.org
This press release was issued by the City of Colorado Springs at about 2:30pm.
City Attorney Patricia K. Kelly said:
“The City Attorney’s Office has just concluded a comprehensive review of evidence regarding further prosecution of Eric Verlo and Elizabeth Fineron. Based upon that review, we have decided that it is not in the public interest to continue the further prosecutions. We have decided to seek a dismissal of charges against the two defendants.”
“The comprehensive review revealed police actions were appropriate during the St. Patrick’s Day parade and there was probable cause to arrest the defendants. Further, the review found ample and sufficient evidence, along with multiple witnesses to continue with the prosecution. However, a second trial would require a significant time commitment from police officers, citizen witnesses and prosecutors, and, in this case, it would appear that the public has already spoken when the first trial ended in a hung jury.”
The Day of the Dead, or Dia de Los Muertos, is a Mexican holiday when the spirits of ancestors are invited to come back and celebrate with the living. Traditionally the holiday is observed every year around Halloween, on the Christian holy days of All Saints Day, November 1st, and All Souls Day, November 2nd. Pueblo got a head start on its Day of The Dead festivities with a parade this past Friday, Oct. 26th. KRCC’s Michelle Mercer was there and brings us this report.
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From fleet-footed hillbillies to fat Elvi, there was a plethora of the paranormal in Manitou Saturday, Oct. 27, 2007.
And that’s the way they like it.
Protestors say they will try to stop Denver’s annual Columbus Day Parade on Saturday. This year marks the 100th anniversary of the Columbus day holiday. Colorado was the first state to begin celebrating it. Celebrations have been controversial in the past and even erupted in violence. Bente Birkeland reports from Denver.
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After deliberating for about two-and-a-half hours a jury in Colorado Springs municipal court said they had differences that weren’t going to be resolved. City Judge Robert Warren then declared a mistrial. It’s now up to the city whether to re-file charges and bring the case again. Scott Patlin, the lead prosecutor for the city at the trial says he expects the city will re-file. The mistrial came after a day and a half of testimony and arguments in the city’s case against seven people it says intentionally obstructed the St. Patrick’s day parade last March.
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This weekend is, of course, Memorial Day. Area military bases and veterans groups are marking the holiday with remembrances of America’s war dead. But Memorial Day is also the traditional kickoff of summer tourist season. Tourism is a $320 million a year industry in Southern Colorado, and despite record breaking gas prices local businesses seem hopeful about the upcoming months. Kate Dawson talks with some tourist-reliant business owners in the KRCC listening area about this weekend and the summer to come.
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COMMENTARY - THE JOYS OF HOLIDAY FAMILY TRAVELS
The holidays - a joyous time to be together with our families. Sometimes that means traveling, with our families, and sometimes, the joyousness somehow evaporates. Commentator Sandra Knauf finds that that might be a multi-generational experience. [LISTEN] [TRANSCRIPT]
2006 IN REVIEW, PART ONE
We begin our look back at 2006 as heard on Western Skies. This time: dark skies, a Ft. Carson soldier is convicted of killing an Iraqi general and we meet Tressie Knowlton, aka Miss Rodeo USA 2006 - she’s from Pueblo County.
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EMPTY STOCKING FUND
Charities in the Pikes Peak Region are hoping to receive some $850,000 from the Gazette-El Pomar Foundation Empty Stocking Fund. But first, the Fund has to raise it. Reporting on a couple of events this Saturday designed to make donating fun is Colorado College student Matthias Barker. [LISTEN] [TRANSCRIPT]
COMMENTARY: ENOUGH WITH THE TURKEY, ALREADY
The staff here at Western Skies was preparing to start our holiday baking the other day when, rooting around in the ‘fridge, we couldn’t help but notice, there’s still quite a bit leftover from Thanksgiving. We were in a quandary. Thank goodness for commentator Barry Smith, who told us just what to do. [LISTEN] [TRANSCRIPT]
FEEDING THE HUNGRY VS. FEEDING COMMERCE AT CHRISTMAS
For some people, it’s the gifts that ruin the holidays. The endless hawking of gadgets we don’t need, the frenzied quest for the perfect present, and the nagging doubt about buying iPods when others can’t afford food. Wouldn’t it be more fulfilling to buy something really practical for someone who really needs it? Some people actually try, as producer Julie Siple discovered. [LISTEN] [TRANSCRIPT]
SLIDESHOW