In two American cities, a common food ingredient has become a controlled substance. Trans-fats, which are specially processed vegetable oils, have been banned for use in restaurants in New York City and Philadelphia. No one’s going that far in Colorado, but there is a movement to get all the restaurants in Manitou Springs to voluntarily eliminate trans fats from their menus. KCFR Health Reporter Eric Whitney has the story.
Kathy Verlo - activist, community member extraordinaire, and wonderful human being - passed away her in sleep while at home Saturday, Jan. 26.
Kathy (almost) always saw the best in everyone. (She had no patience for Douglas Bruce.)
She helped lead the charge to save Section 16 and helped launch Manitou Springs Recycles, among numerous other projects. Her work to defeat efforts to bring gambling to Manitou led to her serving on Manitou Springs City Council for three terms. On Council, Kathy was pivotal in paving the way for Colorado Springs to acquire Red Rock Canyon Open Space.
Our hearts go out to her family, which is asking that in lieu of flowers, donations be made to Voices in the Wilderness founder Kathy Kelly at Voices For Creative Nonviolence, 1249 W. Argyle St. #2, Chicago, IL 60640 (vcnv.org). They also suggest making a contribution of your time and talent toward a local organization that serves the many social needs of our community.
There will be a memorial service, most likely on Thursday or Friday. For updates, check out Ralph Routon’s column in this week’s Independent or log on to kathy.verlo.net/memoriam.
This world-famous poster and toy designer recently moved to Manitou Springs, and will be showing work in Smokebrush June 1 - 23. The First Friday Art Walk Opening Reception, featuring food by Blue Star and music by KRCC DJ Vicky, will take place Friday, June 1, from 5-8pm.
A CHRISTIAN REPUBLICAN RUNS AGAINST MERRIFIELD You don’t have to know a lot about Colorado politics to know that El Paso County, home to Colorado Springs, is a Republican stronghold. El Paso County has 13 senators and representatives in Denver, only one of them is a Democrat. And until today, that Democrat, Representative Mike Merrifield of Manitou Springs, was running unopposed. [LISTEN] [TRANSCRIPT]
FRUITCAKE TOSSING Anita Miller reports from the Eleventh annual Manitou Springs Fruitcake Toss, which attracted dozens of competitors and hundreds of spectators to its new location at Manitou High School’s athletic field. [LISTEN] [TRANSCRIPT]
In two American cities, a common food ingredient has become a controlled substance. Trans-fats, which are specially processed vegetable oils, have been banned for use in restaurants in New York City and Philadelphia. No one’s going that far in Colorado, but there is a movement to get all the restaurants in Manitou Springs to voluntarily eliminate trans fats from their menus. KCFR Health Reporter Eric Whitney has the story.
[From John Wiess at the 
SLIDESHOW
This world-famous poster and toy designer recently moved to Manitou Springs, and will be showing work in Smokebrush June 1 - 23. The First Friday Art Walk Opening Reception, featuring food by Blue Star and music by KRCC DJ Vicky, will take place Friday, June 1, from 5-8pm.