Archives for April 2012

As the world continues to add more and more people, and upward mobility allows more people access to basic technologies (like computers and cars), the world feels infinitely smaller. Over the last twenty years or so, there has been a focus on environmental responsibility, the containment of greenhouse gasses, and reductions of carbon emissions. Much of the discussion, though broad, has been focused on the almighty automobile.

In this TED talk, the Chairman of Ford Motor Company discusses his obsession with cars, the environment, and the future of “global gridlock.”

The talk got me thinking a lot about Denver, and the biggest frustration I have with our city: traffic. Many of us live in Colorado to be in the mountains, which means hiking in the summer, and skiing in the winter. People come to live in our state from all around the country to experience the Rocky Mountain powder in Summit County and beyond. Last winter was epic for Colorado skiers and riders, many days were full-on powder bliss in the high country, while Denver remained fairly dry. There were only a few days when I didn’t want to ride last season, all due to my fear of horrible traffic delays on I-70.

The front range of Colorado is still experiencing growth, which is leading to more traffic on the highway systems around Denver and into summit county. For years, there have been initiatives to build rail systems in the mountains (including when Denver won the 1976 bid for winter Olympics, which it subsequently turned down due to high costs), and think tanks about how we might find a solution to the problem. Yet very little has happened. Road expansions can’t keep up with the influx of cars on the road, especially during ski season. 

 

What are we doing as citizens of Denver, and lovers of the outdoors, to curb traffic gridlock in and around Denver? What needs to happen to alleviate the issue?  

Photo courtesy of Flickr user: Jared.

You’ve been waiting, watching and wondering – who will be the innovative Coloradans to speak at this year’s TEDxMileHigh? Well, your wait is over!

This year’s presenters include a two-time Olympian, VH1’s “top world-changer under 25,” the Chief Animator at the Museum of Contemporary Art Denver, and three masters of slam. To go along with this year’s theme of “Risk & Reward,” the speakers will talk about risks they took and how it helped them think differently, venture into new territory and take action in our community and around the world. More speakers will be added in the coming weeks. Checkout the initial list of presenters and then join us at TEDxMileHigh 2012!

Jeremy Bloom

This three-time World Champion, two-time Olympian and eleven-time World Cup gold medalist in freestyle skiing has taken up a new cause in recent years: granting lifelong wishes to low-income senior citizens. Jeremy’s Wish of a Lifetime foundation grants about 120 wishes each year from skydiving to playing in a jazz band to publishing a children’s book. Last year, Jeremy co-founded Integrate.com, an online performance marketing company that was named the “Best New Company” at the 2011 American Business Awards in New York City, and this year received the award of “Fastest Growing Company” by the 2012 Business Excellence Awards. Jeremy is also recognized as a “Forbes 30 Under 30: Technology” up and comer.

Adam Lerner

As Director and Chief Animator of the Museum of Contemporary Art Denver (MCA Denver), Adam is harnessing and advancing a broad, new understanding of art that is connected to the creativity that runs throughout society. This unique approach to museum programming is reshaping the traditional role of the art museum. Creating a strong, singular voice for his museum, Adam has created exhibitions, education and marketing that have been replicated at museums throughout the country. Developing many of these ideas at the Lab at Belmar (which merged with MCA Denver in 2009), he has also lent expertise to the Denver Art Museum and the Contemporary Museum in Baltimore, and he served as a fellow at the Smithsonian American Art Museum.

Jessica Posner

While studying abroad in Nairobi, Kenya, Jessica saw firsthand the devastating effects of extreme poverty and gender inequality. This experience served as the spark that led her to co-found Shining Hope For Communities. Jessica created the non-profit to provide the first free school for girls in Kiberia, Africa’s largest slum, as well as a community health clinic, clean toilet and water initiative, youth and community education, and economic development initiatives. A nationally recognized social entrepreneur and activist, Jessica earned the 2010 Do Something Award, and was named “America’s top world-changer under 25” by VH1. She also won the prestigious Echoing Green Fellowship, which provides seed funding for social entrepreneurs and has been featured by CNN, NBC Nightly News, and The New York Times.

Slam Nuba

Back by popular demand are award-winning slam poets Ken Arkind, Bobby Lefebre and Theo Wilson (aka Lucifury). Members of the critically acclaimed slam team, Slam Nuba, Ken, Bobby and Theo use language and voice like no other to bring attention to social issues and causes. Ken is a National Poetry Slam Champion, Nuyorican Poets Café Grand Slam Champion, and has been featured in documentaries “SPIT!” and “Slamplanet”. Bobby is a two-time Grand Slam Champion, a National Poetry Slam finalist, an Individual World Poetry Slam finalist, and has been a member of three national poetry slam teams. A relative unknown at the time, Lucifury shook up the slam poetry world by taking 5^th in the International World Poetry Slam in 2009, and with Slam Nuba, has seen the finals stage at the National Poetry Slam.

More presenters will be announced in the weeks come. Any guesses on who the others speakers might be? Who are you most excited to see of the speakers who have been announced?

Remember, you can only see these awesome speakers if you purchase a ticket to TEDxMileHigh 2012, so get yours today!

How often do you get the chance to talk one-on-one with a former Olympian, a renowned social activist, creator of the pay-what-you-can restaurant concept, or the Erin Brockovich of the American food system? Well, you’ll soon get your chance.

You, our fans, asked for the chance to get up close and personal with past speakers and TEDxMileHigh is making it happen. In a few weeks, we will launch a series of Coffee & Cocktail Chats (TEDxMHChats) where you and a few dozen people can catch up with and pose questions to your favorite speakers from TEDxMileHigh 2011 and TEDxMileHighSalon. Attendance is limited at each venue so admission will be on a first-come-first-served basis. The tradeoff? These events are free! The schedule is as follows:

Wednesday, April 25^th from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m.
D’Vine Wine, 1660 Champa Street (accommodates 35 people)
Guest speaker: Shannon Galpin, Founder of Mountain2Mountain
Last appearance: TEDxMileHighSalon

Topic: Shannon will talk with you about how “The Power of Voice” can incite positive change. She has spent years in Afghanistan, providing a voice to women and children who are oppressed and found that using an individual’s story to highlight a greater problem gets people to listen and to understand. “Voice” changes lives, communities and countries from within, she says, and Shannon would like to hear your thoughts on the subject and take your questions.

Friday, May 4^th from Noon to 1 p.m.
Tattered Cover, 1628 16^th Street (accommodates 75 people)
Guest speaker: Robyn O’Brien, Author of “The Unhealthy Truth: How Our Food is Making Us Sick and What We Can Do About It”
Last appearance: TEDxMileHigh 2011

Topic: Dubbed as the Erin Brockovich of the American food system, Robyn asks, “Do you know what you are eating” in her talk: “Patriotism on a Plate”. Robyn will talk about her latest research on the health of our food system and take your questions on the topic. She is also founder of AllergyKids Foundation and asks that you bring gently used kids’ clothes, blankets or sheets to her event, which her Foundation will in turn donate to a women and children’s shelter.

Wednesday, May 9^th from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m.
Mile High Spirits, 2920 Larimer Street (accommodates 75 people)
Guest speaker: Jeff Olson, former Olympian and Founder of Well Nourished Worldwide
Last appearance: TEDxMileHigh 2011

Topic: What could a successful 2022 Olympics bid mean for the health and well being of our community and the world? Jeff will expand upon his last talk “An Olympic Why”, explain why you should get involved in bringing the Games to Denver and how you can do just that. The timing of this chat is just right given that Denver’s 2022 Exploratory Committee will deliver its report to Mayor Michael Hancock and Governor John Hickenlooper for consideration this spring.

Wednesday, May 16^th from 7:30 to 8:30 a.m.
S.A.M.E. Café, 2023 East Colfax Avenue (accommodates 40 people)
Guest speaker: Libby Birky, Founder of S.A.M.E. Café
Last appearance: TEDxMileHigh 2011 and TEDxMileHighSalon

Topic: Creator of the pay-what-you-can restaurant concept, Libby creates community in an unusual way. She offers healthy, organic meals and “Dignity, Community and a Side of Veggies” to all who walk through the S.A.M.E. Café door, regardless of their ability to pay. According to Libby, positive change in the community begins with you and me, so she would like to talk with you about how just one person can create ripples that affect hundreds or even thousands of people.

Did we mention that you get free admission to these chats? It doesn’t get much better than that! And why wait to start the conversation when we can do so now. Post any questions that you have for the speakers on our Facebook page, on Twitter using the hashtag #TEDxMHChats, or in the comments section of this blog. We’ll make sure that the speakers address each and every one during their chats and online. So even if you are unable to attend the chats, you can still be a part of the conversation.

We look forward to your questions and to seeing you over the coming weeks.

Image courtesy of Flickr user tonx.

You’ve been waiting, watching and wondering – who will be the innovative Coloradans to speak at this year’s TEDxMileHigh? Well, your wait is over!

This year’s presenters include a two-time Olympian, VH1’s “top world-changer under 25,” the Chief Animator at the Museum of Contemporary Art Denver, and three masters of slam. To go along with this year’s theme of “Risk & Reward,” the speakers will talk about risks they took and how it helped them think differently, venture into new territory and take action in our community and around the world. More speakers will be added in the coming weeks. Checkout the initial list of presenters and then join us at TEDxMileHigh 2012!

Jeremy Bloom

This three-time World Champion, two-time Olympian and eleven-time World Cup gold medalist in freestyle skiing has taken up a new cause in recent years: granting lifelong wishes to low-income senior citizens. Jeremy’s Wish of a Lifetime foundation grants about 120 wishes each year from skydiving to playing in a jazz band to publishing a children’s book. Last year, Jeremy co-founded Integrate.com, an online performance marketing company that was named the “Best New Company” at the 2011 American Business Awards in New York City, and this year received the award of “Fastest Growing Company” by the 2012 Business Excellence Awards. Jeremy is also recognized as a “Forbes 30 Under 30: Technology” up and comer.

Adam Lerner

As Director and Chief Animator of the Museum of Contemporary Art Denver (MCA Denver), Adam is harnessing and advancing a broad, new understanding of art that is connected to the creativity that runs throughout society. This unique approach to museum programming is reshaping the traditional role of the art museum. Creating a strong, singular voice for his museum, Adam has created exhibitions, education and marketing that have been replicated at museums throughout the country. Developing many of these ideas at the Lab at Belmar (which merged with MCA Denver in 2009), he has also lent expertise to the Denver Art Museum and the Contemporary Museum in Baltimore, and he served as a fellow at the Smithsonian American Art Museum.

Jessica Posner

While studying abroad in Nairobi, Kenya, Jessica saw firsthand the devastating effects of extreme poverty and gender inequality. This experience served as the spark that led her to co-found Shining Hope For Communities. Jessica created the non-profit to provide the first free school for girls in Kiberia, Africa’s largest slum, as well as a community health clinic, clean toilet and water initiative, youth and community education, and economic development initiatives. A nationally recognized social entrepreneur and activist, Jessica earned the 2010 Do Something Award, and was named “America’s top world-changer under 25” by VH1. She also won the prestigious Echoing Green Fellowship, which provides seed funding for social entrepreneurs and has been featured by CNN, NBC Nightly News, and The New York Times.

Slam Nuba

Back by popular demand are award-winning slam poets Ken Arkind, Bobby Lefebre and Theo Wilson (aka Lucifury). Members of the critically acclaimed slam team, Slam Nuba, Ken, Bobby and Theo use language and voice like no other to bring attention to social issues and causes. Ken is a National Poetry Slam Champion, Nuyorican Poets Café Grand Slam Champion, and has been featured in documentaries “SPIT!” and “Slamplanet”. Bobby is a two-time Grand Slam Champion, a National Poetry Slam finalist, an Individual World Poetry Slam finalist, and has been a member of three national poetry slam teams. A relative unknown at the time, Lucifury shook up the slam poetry world by taking 5^th in the International World Poetry Slam in 2009, and with Slam Nuba, has seen the finals stage at the National Poetry Slam.

More presenters will be announced in the weeks come. Any guesses on who the others speakers might be? Who are you most excited to see of the speakers who have been announced?

Remember, you can only see these awesome speakers if you purchase a ticket to TEDxMileHigh 2012, so get yours today!