i L i n d . n e t

Things are beginning to shape up for the Democratic National Convention, which begins August 24 in Denver. Hawaii delegates were elected during the state convention last month. Click here for the full slate of Hawaii delegates who will be going to Denver.

A message from Denver Mayor John Hickenlooper distributed by the Denver Convention Host Committee tried to put the expected crowd at the August convention into perspective:

While as many as 50,000 visitors are anticipated between Saturday, August 23 and Thursday, August 28 - including delegates, assorted guests and 15,000 members of the media - it is important to remember that this is less than the number of people that come downtown for Rockies’ Opening Day or for a Broncos game. Denver has hosted games in all three downtown stadiums at the same time, involving close to 150,000 people.

The convention, to be held in Pepsi Center, will require $15 million in modifications, which are underway. It will also require as yet undisclosed security procedures, including possible restrictions on rail travel. Although there is a light rail station just 200 feet from the building, it isn’t clear yet what, if any, security restrictions there will be, according to a recent story in the Denver Post. It may be that convention creditials may be needed in order to exit the rail line at Pepsi Center. It is clear, however, that convention organizers are relying on the rail system to make the logistics of the four-day convention work.

The Hawaii delegation, for example, will be staying at a hotel in the Denver suburb of Littleton. The rail system will provide the primary mode of transportation between the hotel and the convention itself. Cars are being actively discouraged.

Public protests during the convention are being anticipated. Mayor Hickenlooper points to the 10,000 demonstrators at the last convention in Boston.

Some peaceful demonstrations are anticipated in Civic Center, Skyline Park and other downtown parks during the week of the Convention.

As a point of reference, approximately 75,000 to 100,000 people gathered in Civic Center Park for a May 2006 rally, and it did not inconvenience downtown businesses, residents or City services. The annual set-up for the Downtown Denver Partnership’s Taste of Colorado will also begin in Civic Center on the Wednesday of the Convention week.

A designated parade route - the details of which will be announced by June 12 - will provide organizations that want to march toward the Pepsi Center a safe means to do so in a manner and timeframe that minimizes mobility impacts on downtown businesses, residents and visitors.

Designated state bloggers are still struggling with basic logistics. Finding a place to stay has not been easy for those without assistance from state Democratic Party officials or from friends in the area.

We’ve gotten warnings about the crush of media. Wifi will likely be overloaded in Pepsi Center, and organizers say they will try to make hard wire connections available in order to post from the convention. I presume this means that cell phone and wireless broadband service at the convention may also have capacity issues. So there are a lot of technological surprises to look forward to.

We’ve also been told that many convention activities will take place outside of Pepsi Center, in adjacent parts of downtown. In addition, there’s the Big Tent.

he DNCC is working with a group of Denver-based organizations to create a blog-friendly media center near the Convention site. “The Big Tent” is a project of ProgressNow, the Alliance for Sustainable Colorado, The Wright Group and Daily Kos. This media facility will operate throughout the week of the Convention just a few blocks from the Pepsi Center.

Participants in The Big Tent will enjoy a WiFi-enabled, air-conditioned blogging/new media lounge, “The Big Stage,” with some of the most well known faces in the non-profit and political world, as well as food, drinks, entertainment, and much more.

All in all, it’s shaping up as quite an experience.

Another Friday, another look at our Kaaawa felines.

This is Mr. Leo. He was sleeping up on top of our kitchen cabinets when a noise outside disrupted his slumber.

That’s his look of annoyed confusion.

And, yes, he is just a little cross-eyed. We have always said that he’s a Siamese trapped in a gray tiger’s body.

Anyway, click on the photo for more.