Wednesday, July 25, 2012

Christian Bale Visits Aurora

Just a few days after the tragedy at the Aurora movie theater actor Christian Bale came to visit the victims and the memorial, becoming a real life hero.  The actor was not representing Warner Brothers, but representing himself and wanted to say thank you to everyone who had helped the victims of the shooting. He took pictures with the victims and the hospital staff and attended a luncheon to say thank you to the workers at the hospital.

Batman star Christian Bale visited survivors of the Colorado theater shooting Tuesday, and thanked medical staff and police officers who responded to the attack that killed 12 people and injured 58 others.

Bale visited with little advance warning and also stopped by a makeshift memorial to victims near the movie theater that was showing "The Dark Knight Rises" when the gunfire erupted.

Carey Rottman, one of those injured in Friday's shooting, posted two photos of himself with Bale on his Facebook page.

Janie Bowman-Hayes, assistant vice president of surgical services at sister hospital Swedish Medical Center, said she and co-workers were attending a luncheon at The Medical Center of Aurora to thank staff who tended to victims. "When we got there, then we found out he was there," she said.

Bale, humble and dressed casually in a black T-shirt and jeans, thanked the staff, shook hands and agreed to have his photo taken with employees, Bowman-Hayes said.

"He just said he wanted to come to thank all of us because he has been thinking about this. He knows the whole world has been thinking about this," she said. "He took it upon himself to come and thank us."

An online campaign had urged Bale to visit survivors of the shooting.

Bale also stopped by a growing memorial near the theater and walked among the 12 crosses erected for each of the slain victims. Many people there didn't realize who he was or chose to leave him alone.

A Warner Bros. spokeswoman told The Denver Post that Bale was representing himself, not the movie studio.

Bale, who stars as Batman in "The Dark Knight Rises," previously issued a written statement saying: "Words cannot express the horror that I feel. I cannot begin to truly understand the pain and grief of the victims and their loved ones, but my heart goes out to them."

President Barack Obama and members of the Denver Broncos also have made hospital visits to some of the survivors.

Bowman-Hayes and her staff cared for patients at both Swedish Medical Center and The Medical Center of Aurora after the shootings, whether it was in the operating room or intensive care unit, or by washing medical instruments.

She said the staff appreciated Bale's visit.

"He did this out of his heart, and you could really tell. It was so sincere," she said. "It was just, 'thank you.'"


For more information go to CBSNEWS.















 




Wednesday, July 18, 2012

Renaissance Festival in Colorado

 Costumes, food, and history comprise the Colorado Renaissance Festival that is going on all summer long.  Every weekend make your way to Larkspur to experience kings, queens, and dragons from the 16th century. Kids will love the animals and shows, while parents can explore the history and take in the shops. 

Transport yourself back in time to the days of legend and lore. The Colorado Renaissance Festival is coming to town for it’s 36th magical season, and you certainly can’t miss this event. Hundreds of authentic villagers welcome you to the 16th century, as you wander the streets encountering kings, queens, nights, dukes, ladies and wenches. There is entertainment on every corner and so much to see and do. This is one of the most popular summertime activities in Colorado, so be sure to plan ahead.

 Colorado Renaissance Festival PreviewEntertainment galore
There is so much to see and do this year that you won’t know where to start first. There are three daily jousts featuring chivalrous knights and brave steeds. Magicians, comics and mimes wander the streets, and acrobats and musicians entertain the crowds. Of course, everyone’s favorite comic duo will be returning as well. Puke and Snot are masters of their unique brand of “Mock Shakespearean Vaudeville” and they are sure to have you rolling in the aisles and laughing all the way home. Don’t miss all the amazing rides and games for all ages. From the old-fashioned carousel to games of skill or just throwing tomatoes as insults, be sure to take advantage of all the fun.

 Colorado Renaissance Festival PreviewPrepare to shop
More than 200 skilled artisans will be at the festival displaying a huge variety of craftsmanship. Wander the shops and peruse the amazing arts. Enjoy fine art, pottery, jewelry, clothing, woodworking, glassblowing, leather work and so much more. This is the best place to find a unique one-of-a-kind gift for that special someone.



For more information on the festival head to the CBS Website.

Wednesday, July 11, 2012

Helping Out the Wildfire Victims

A wildfire benefit concert occurred at the Avett Brothers Red Rock Shows.  The proceeds from tickets and other passes went to wildfire victims in Colorado.  Read more about the concert below.


 The Avett Brothers hold a sweet place in their heart for Colorado. When word trickled down about the multiple fires burning large parts of the Centennial State,  the brothers Avett made their contribution. Tickets for both recent Red Rocks shows were donated and auctioned off on KBCO for a meet and greet with the guys and Gov. John Hickenlooper. The donations went a step further when a fireman’s boot was passed around the venue both nights — raising $50,000 for the relief efforts

The Avett Brothers kicked off their two-night stand at Red Rocks on Friday night with a dramatic, dynamic show set against a cool Colorado night in the foothills.

The set was frontloaded with some emotional heavyweights early in the evening – starting off with 
 “Head Full of Doubt/Road Full of Promise” eventually leading into “Murder in the City” and 
 “Paranoia in B flat Major.” The band’s new single, the Seth Avett-fronted “Live and Die,” found an audience with its simple melody, but older fans latched onto “At the Beach.”

The setlist had a few forgettable inclusions. “Gimme a Kiss” is a silly endeavor, a simple song the North Carolina band moved beyond long ago. And while I’m thankful “Kick Drum Heart” brought the band a larger (and deserved) audience, the pop song – with its infectious bounce – never appealed to me.

That said, it was still a lovely show, with a stunning “Salina,” a moving “10,000 Words,” an impeccable “November Blue” and a truly beautiful “January Wedding,” which was, next to “I and Love and You,” the biggest singalong of the night.

For more information on the concert or the Avett Brothers go to Hey Reverb.

Friday, July 6, 2012

Protecting Your Family From The Heat

This heat wave has had most of the country hoping for a cool down for weeks now.  There is no cool down in sight for most of this country, but there are still ways to stay cool and protect your family from the oppressive heat. 

At a time when kids are outside the most, parents need to watch for signs of heat exhaustion or heat stroke, a potentially fatal condition. Kids and the elderly are at the highest risk, according to the national Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Here are some strategies to prevent heat exhaustion or heat stroke:

• Hydration – Make sure that your child has plenty of drinking water. When kids are running around inhigh temperatures, they’re susceptible to severe heat cramps in their arms, legs or abdomen,especially if they’re not hydrated. Keep a close eye on very young children and make sure they’re drinking water regularly. For older kids, consider purchasing a refillable water jug that they can keep with them while playing outside.

• Cool Off – Require that your kids come inside once an hour on very warm days to refill their water bottles and cool off with a fan or air conditioning.

• Be Aware of the Signs – Heat exhaustion and heat stroke are different, but they’re both serious and require attention. KidsHealth.org lists the following signs of heat exhaustion:
– dehydration
– fatigue
– weakness
– clammy skin
– headache
– nausea and/or vomiting
– hyperventilation (rapid breathing)
– irritability

If you notice any of these signs in your child, bring him indoors or to a shady area. Loosen or remove any clothing, and encourage him to eat and drink. You can also try to bathe him in cool (not cold) water. If your child is too exhausted to eat or drink, call a medical professional; fluids given intravenously may be necessary to prevent severe dehydration.

Heat stroke is more severe than heat exhaustion and requires quick medical attention. Boys Town, a national child and healthcare organization, says one or more of the following symptoms may be a sign of heat stroke:
– A fever of at least 104°F
– Unconsciousness or delirium and child may or may not be sweating
– Flushed skin that is hot to the touch
– Fast heart rate
– Nausea and vomiting

If you notice one or more signs of heat stroke, call for an ambulance and contact a physician immediately,” says Boys Town pediatrician Kelli Shidler, M.D. “It is essential that you cool your child down right away by moving them to a cool place, sponging the skin with cool water or ice packs and fanning their body.”

For more information on ways to protect your family go to ColoradoParent.

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