However, what exactly is The Democratic National Convention or DNC 2008? And how exactly does it work?

These are excellent questions and on the minds of many residents and visitors alike- though not many are asking out loud. This could because somewhere inside us we feel we should know what happens at a National Convention, we were taught that somewhere- right?

Well, in case this knowledge followed Algebra and the Metric System toward the out door of your brain, here is some information to get you squared away!

National Conventions, for either political party, are big gatherings for the party constituents to announce their nomination for President. Usually this announcement is neither a mystery nor a surprise as all the states have been voting in primaries to lead up to and secure the nomination. Therefore the Convention serves as a platform to share the views and goals for the party in the upcoming presidential election. And hey- it is a reason to party, politically speaking.

Thea Brodkin from The League of Women Voters has an excellent video series on the videojug website to answer any and practically all of your political questions.

Also, here is a handy link to the Democratic National Convention 2008’s page that helps to answer many questions you may not have thought to ask.

[Image: DNC Website]

Post from: The Denver Traveler

Ironically, Margaret Tobin was from Missouri and did not ever go by the name Molly in her lifetime. She did come west with her brother to be near her sister in Leadville, Colorado amid the gold rush frenzy. She worked, learned to read & write and met Johnny ‘J. J.’ Brown. Johnny was a mining engineer and a mountain man through and through. The two wed, had two children, Johnny helped find the gold in the Little Johnny Mine, and The Brown’s moved to Denver and into The Lion’s House.

That Victorian House still stands exactly where it was built on the posh Pennsylvania Avenue of their time and it is this Monday’s Must See! What better than a slice of history to round out your visit to Denver, and for those of you who live here- why not revisit an authentic piece of our legacy. Tell the cab driver or chauffer to let you off at 1340 Pennsylvania Avenue, or take the #15 bus to Pennsylvania and walk down two blocks until you see the lions on the banisters welcoming you.

The Molly Brown House Museum has been preserved to give the actual feel of visiting the Brown’s for Dinner anytime during open hours, which change seasonally. Regardless of the hours the last tour is at 3:30pm. The Museum also hosts occasion high teas and lectures. Admission to the House is $4.00 to $7.00 and tea packages start at $15.00 per person.

Now, please be advised, if you are thinking of Molly Brown’s House as it was gloriously portrayed in The MGM musical, The Unsinkable Molly Brown, the view you will see in reality is not quite as technocoloricious. The House was grand in its day, as all the neighboring houses would have been. However, over the years the neighborhood has changed many times and at present it has eclectic Houses and Apartment Buildings and even Office Buildings surrounding Molly Brown’s House. In the same sense of honesty, we shall reveal that as people have grown bigger- so has our taste in what we call luxurious and grand. However, none of this makes a trip to Molly Brown’s House any less enjoyable- simply take it all in through the eyes of an aspiring socialite of the 1800’s.

If you are coming to Denver for DNC 2008- The Molly Brown House Museum is offering a free lecture about the 1908 Convention on August 13th. Or, if that seems too far away- why not head over for Brunch on July 19th to celebrate Molly’s Birthday! Please note that NO PHOTOGRAPHS are allowed inside the house, so bring your best photographic memory! Outside pictures are allowed, of course.

As the house is located in the middle of the hectic and popular Capitol Hill Neighborhood of today, parking might be an issue. Beyond that- nothing should stand in your way of enjoying this little treasure Denver has preserved in honor of one of its most famous and notorious chosen citizens. See for yourself how and where this self educated activist, suffragist, relief worker, mother, wife, daughter, reporter and philanthropist lived. Don’t forget to raise your pinky from your teacup, curtsy or tip your hat to Our Gal Molly and the house of her dreams.

Post from: The Denver Traveler

If you are visiting our fine town you may not even notice the traffic as you can meander during the off peak times when the roads are clear and manageable. This is a viable solution. Though, here in Denver there is even a better choice for visitors and residents alike.

The Light Rail started its life here in Denver over a decade ago and has been building steam ever since. Its incarnation took some doing, for residents along the planned routes thought it would be too noisy and fought its being built for quite some time. Luckily, other neighborhoods were excited for it to be put in place and the rest is as they say- history.

It not only helps you beat the traffic, it helps the environment and many people’s sanity as well. No more driving, way more reading, or listening to music, or people watching. Even the short walks to and from the stations are beneficial to your health.

The fare ranges from $1.75 to $4.00 depending on how many zones you travel through. Bikes are allowed on board, and many routes let off near some great bike paths. Don’t worry, the Light Rail’s Routes all point to downtown so it is a great option for commuters, not just for the recreational riders.

Catching the Light Rail is simple- there are many stops throughout Downtown. Each stop has a ticket station with easy to follow instructions. Buy a ticket, get on board, and take the Light Rail to Union Station, to The University of Denver, Invesco Field, Littleton, all the way out to County Line Road! DNC 2008 participants- it even goes to The Pepsi Center. With 6 lines to choose from- the destinations are plentiful.

Post from: The Denver Traveler

It has been a hundred years since Denver hosted a Democratic National Convention. The last time being 1908 where William Jennings Bryan took the nomination to go on to lose the race for the presidency to William Taft. It was the third time Bryan ran for the highest office and the third time he failed. You may recognize William Jennings Bryan as one of the lawyers in the Scopes Monkey Trials as well. The Convention of 1908 was the first National Convention to be held in a western state. It was also the first convention to accredit women. The Mayor of Denver in 1908, Robert Speer, had a fountain built in City Park to welcome the convention attendees. For this year’s convention- that fountain is being rebuilt. For those of you who want to devour the history of the 1908 DNC, The Rocky Mountain News has developed a great compendium of their archives from the hottest news of the time. Not only are the texts of the articles preserved but they also have pictures of the actual newsprint.

The bare bones of the 2008 Democratic National Convention in Denver are as follows:

Monday August 25th through Thursday August 28th
Pepsi Center
1000 Chopper Circle
Denver, CO 80204
303-405-1100

Click here for Transportation and Parking Information

Tickets are distributed by The Democratic National Committee and by invitation only, tickets are not available to be purchased. Contact your State’s Democratic Party for more information. Colorado Resident’s may call: 303-623-4762 or visit www.coloradodems.org

Don’t worry- we’ll be back to share more, a little more information every other week.

[Photo - SXC]

Post from: The Denver Traveler