A Story From The Street

Kate Sherman

03/03/2024

In the city of Fort Collins, Michael's journey unfolds—a story of resilience, addiction, homelessness, and the spirit that persists even in the face of a global pandemic. The tale takes us through his experiences, helped by the vibrant community of Fort Collins that has supported him.

Michael, a man known by one name, has escaped from the clutches of heroin addiction, and sparked a new sense of hope as he secured employment and crafted a new chapter in his life in 2018. However, the relentless waves of the COVID-19 or the coronavirus took his job from him and forced him back onto the streets he had once before called home in 2020.

Despite the shadows that accompany him, Michael has managed to keep the demons at bay, steering clear of the hard drugs that had once stolen such a large part of his life.

As the pandemic shattered the stability he had painstakingly rebuilt, Michael found himself once again navigating the turbulent seas of homelessness. "I was living out of my backpack; I had a tent and a sleeping bag, and Fort Collins helped me out," he reveals, emphasizing the lifeline the city provided during his darkest days.

Fort Collins became an unexpected sanctuary for Michael, as he hitchhiked from San Diego to the city he now calls home. The community responded with open arms, providing him with a room in a house in town at almost no cost.

Pam Brewer, the Development Director of homeward alliance, reflects on the intricate web of issues that intertwine with homelessness. "Homelessness is so interconnected with many of our systems, like our health care system, our education system, and our foster care system," says Brewer. "I think it's very difficult for cities and states to make meaningful change if the change isn't happening at a federal level."

The city's leader, council member and Mayor Jeni Arndt, echoes a sentiment of community resilience. "It's about thinking about how do we help our community be healthy and thrive," Mayor Arndt emphasizes. "The voters of Larimer County have supported the new behavioral health center, which won't solve everything but will bring increased services into the community."

Between adversity and resilience, Michael continues to walk the line. As Michael navigates the intricate dance between past demons and newfound stability, Fort Collins stands as a testament to the power of community, compassion, and the ongoing pursuit of a brighter future.

Time-Worn Tensions: Tracing Israel-Hamas Conflict Through Ti

Israelis and Palestinians around the world have felt the effects of the ongoing battle going on between Israel and Hamas. The events beginning on October 7th shocked the globe, and the conflict continued to grow. Yet this war holds years and years of history.

Zionist Movement

The Zionist movement is a nationalist movement that believes that the Jewish people have a right to their homeland of Jerusalem.

1917

The Balfour Declaration, issued by the British government as a response to the Zionist movement, states a promise for a "national home for the Jewish people" that would be located in Palestine, which then was ruled by the Ottoman Empire.

End of World War I

The Ottoman Empire conceded, and the land of Palestine was placed under the rule of the British by the League of Nations. Palestinians still lived on the land and were seeking independence.

1920's-1930's

Tens of thousands of Jewish people began migrating to Palestine due to Britain's promise as well as the Nazi Persecution. Clashes between Palestinian Arabs and Jewish migrants started. The Region begins to witness hundreds of deaths

1947

The United Nations developed a resolution to divide Palestine into two independent states, a "Jewish State" and an "Arab State." Jerusalem would remain under the control of the United Nations due to the city's significance with a number of religious groups. Palestinians refused to recognize the resolution because of their want for independence, and fighting between the two groups raged on.

May 14th 1948

The Israeli Declaration of Independence declares the establishment of a Jewish State in Eretz-Israel to be now known as the State of Israel. Following this, the Arab League, on behalf of Palestinian Arabs, marched troops into former British Palestine, starting the 1948 Arab-Israeli War.

With the help of foreign powers from around the world, Israel won the war, and Palestine was divided. Israel, under the control of the Jewish people; the West Bank and Gaza, under the control of Egypt and Jordan.

June 5th, 1967

The series of back-and-forth military attacks began the Six-Day War when Israel attacked Egypt, Jordan, and Syria. In six days, Israel had captured the West Bank, Gaza, East Jerusalem, and the Sinai Peninsula. The majority of Palestinians in the area became refugees, and Israel's occupation of Palestine began.

1987

Due to Israel's occupation of Palestinian territories in 1987, the Palestinians started an uprising. The First Uprising (The First Intifada) was motivated by the frustration of the Palestinians in occupied territories. Civil disobedience and riots were carried out. In response, Israel deployed around 80,000 soldiers. The ongoing battle did not end until 1993.

1993

Yitzhak Rabin and Yasir Arafat sign the Oslo Accords. In the Oslo Accords, both sides agreed that the Palestinian Authority would have governing responsibilities of the West Bank and Gaza for the next five years, and the talks about a permanent status would start. It also recognized Israel's 'right to exist'.

2000

Bill Clinton, Ehub Barak, and Yasser Arafat meet at Camp David for a summit meeting to negotiate the Middle East peace process. The summit ended without an agreement. This is often credited with the start of the Second Intifada. During the Second Intifada, both soldiers and civilians suffered injuries and deaths. The fighting involved shootings, targeting killings, tank attacks, and airstrikes by the Israeli forces, while Palestinians used methods like gunfights, suicide bombings, throwing stones, and launching rockets. The suicide bombing became known because, unlike the First Intifada, this was much more severe in terms of violence and civilian casualties. There is no exact moment that ended the conflict, but most agree it had run its course by 2005 with still no solution.

2006

In the 2006 Palestinian legislative election, Hamas won the majority of seats in a landslide. Israel, The United States, and The European Union, along with several other European and Western countries, cut off their aid to Palestine.

2007

Israel released $100 million in tax revenues that had been withheld with the intent to cover humanitarian needs and other basic needs. They requested, "Keep the money out of the hands of the Hamas government."

Hamas took over Gaza in a military conflict between Hamas and Fatah, known as the Battle of Gaza.

2007-2023

Continued fighting between Israel and Hamas.

October 7th 2023

The Iran-backed terrorist group Hamas launched a vicious attack on Israel, killing 1,200 people in Israel and taking over 200 hostages.

The war raging on today is full of years and years of conflict. The deep history of these places, cultures, and people has made it where Israelis and Palestinians around the world have felt the shock. As a Colorado State Student said at a candlelight vigil for Israel, “A shot at one jew is a shot at every jew, everywhere.” when talking about the family he had lost on October 7th and Palestinian students made their way down College Avenue shouting “Israel, Israel, how many kids will you kill today!”

Even from 6000 miles away, Israelis and Palestinians in Fort Collins have felt fear. Fort Collins Residents are afraid to speak about what is going on, saying, “To be completely honest with you, I would love to provide my insight, but we are being targeted everywhere, and we have been receiving threats as of yesterday, and with my identity, it is a really unsafe time.” As the conflict between Israel and Hamas continues to unfold, its effects have reached beyond the Middle East, impacting communities, even here in Fort Collins.

Students of Israeli and Palestinian backgrounds find themselves each grappling with the emotional toll of a conflict with deep historical roots. This history is important to understand how this conflict has grown to where it is today and why people all around the world have spoken out.

The identities of sources are hidden for their own personal safety.

Promoting Fire Safety During the Holidays: Finding the Perfe

The National Fire Prevention Show is an annual event that brings together professionals, experts, and enthusiasts from various fields to discuss the critical topic of fire safety. At this year's event, George and Wendy, Christmas tree growers at Richardson Farm represented the National Christmas Tree Association and presented a unique perspective of the dangers surrounding fresh Christmas trees and the misconceptions surrounding them in relation to fires.

"It's really hard to quantify the value of our presence at the show, but we had some really interesting conversations," noted George as he reflected on their experience at the show. Amid the sea of red due to the fire safety exhibitors, these Christmas tree advocates found themselves as the "island of green."

George and Wendy conversed with a diverse crowd, including state fire marshals from Alabama, Nevada, and California. They had discussions that explored the balance between the tradition of lighting up fresh Christmas trees during the holidays and the need for fire prevention.

George and Wendy’s point was clear: fresh Christmas trees are not the root cause of fires in homes during the holiday season. In fact, most people, including firefighters, have a fresh Christmas tree in their homes. Faulty wiring and candles were identified as common culprits of household fires.

"Christmas trees are often the last thing to burn if they're fresh and well-watered," noted George. A young firefighter at the show even shared that they were still shown a dated video during their training that depicted Christmas trees bursting into flames – a misconception that needs correction.

George and Wendy emphasized the importance of spreading accurate information about fire safety during the holidays. They discussed the need for a well-produced video that could dispel myths and engage a broad audience. They also pointed out that candles, not Christmas trees, are responsible for many holiday fires.

When asked about the safest way to have a Christmas tree in your home, the answer was straightforward: keep it fresh and well-watered. Additionally, using newer lights without wiring issues was recommended to reduce potential fire hazards.

George and Wendy’s experience at the National Fire Prevention Show has sparked plans to improve their outreach efforts. They intend to create a more visually appealing backdrop with clear messaging about their cause. They also plan to have an engaging video presentation that can help convey the safety message more effectively.

"We need something that's produced, concise, and captures the attention of modern audiences," explained George. George and Wendy are not only advocating for fire safety but are also exploring ways to educate the public.

As George and Wendy thought about their experience at the National Fire Prevention Show, they realized that it's important to talk about all aspects of fire safety during the holidays, not just Christmas trees. They believe that we should pay more attention to candles and include them in the discussions about staying safe.

Their future plans involve attending the convention next year in Orlando, Florida, armed with improved materials, including a revised backdrop, eye-catching graphics, and flash drives containing valuable information about fire safety with Christmas trees to hand out.

Ultimately, George and Wendy are on a mission not just to sell trees but to deliver a crucial message on holiday fire safety. Their passion for this cause, combined with innovative approaches, could lead to a safer and more enjoyable holiday season for families across the country.

As the holiday season approaches, George and Wendy’s work at the National Fire Prevention Show serves as a reminder of the importance of accurate information and awareness in ensuring the safety of our homes. By addressing misconceptions about Christmas trees and advocating for fire safety, they're working towards a safer, more joyous holiday season for everyone.

Debate in Session: Over 70 People Came to City Council to Sp

Fort Collins, Colorado-Tuesday Evening City Council met to address and vote on a new draft of the City Land Use Code.

Many opinions were shared tonight in City Hall as residents came to speak. Over 70 Fort Collins residents spoke during the public comment portion of the City's council meeting. The standard speaking time of 3 minutes was lowered by a minute to save time in the meeting.

People came out both to show support and try to combat the land use code. While speaking against the code, residents said it was not ready to be adopted and needed to see more changes. They also combated the idea that density in housing equals affordability. They expressed a feeling of not being heard by the city council as many people who combated the original City Land Use code came back unhappy with the revisions. One resident said, "It appears you put some lipstick on a pig" when speaking about the changes to the code.

Residents supporting the code expressed feelings of not being welcome in Fort Collins due to the lack of housing. Recent CSU graduates came to speak about how hard it is to stay in Fort Collins after college. People argued that "There is no right to keep things the way they are" and "for a vibrant community, housing is key." During the public comment section, a man said, "If you say you support affordable housing, but you don't want it in your neighborhood, then you don't support affordable housing."

Joy Sullivan came to represent the United Way of Larimer County in support of the land use code. She spoke about her own home and how if she had an oven, her place would be then considered a duplex, joking "she can make a mean turkey in a toaster" in order to express the laws around housing.

Some people came to speak for neither side but rather against the code not being included on the ballot. Residents were concerned about an issue this significant being left in the hands of seven people instead of the residents of Fort Collins.

The two sides combated each other almost perfectly. Those in favor of the City Land Use Code said that “we want to stay” when it came to being in Fort Collins. While those opposing the City Land Use Code said, “we don't want you there” when speaking about adding more housing into their neighborhoods.

The city council took the revised land use code to a vote that resulted in 5-2 passing the new code. Ordinance 137 also passed 5-2 and the first reading or ordinance 138 also passed 5-2

This code hopes to increase Fort Collins overall housing capacity, enable more affordability especially near areas with high frequency transit and that are already experiencing growth. The new City Land Code also hopes to allow for more diverse housing choices, make the code easier to use, and improve predictability of the development permit review process.

Spice of Life: Huy Fong Sriracha Shortage Leaves Fort Collin

By Kate Sherman

Fort Collins, CO – A beloved condiment to some has left tongues tingling and taste buds longing for its signature and unique kick. This sriracha shortage, attributed to production issues and a lack of raw materials, is making waves not only in homes but also in local restaurants. Chefs and customers are feeling an absence of the iconic green-capped bottles.

I had the opportunity to speak with the manager at King Soopers in Fort Collins, and J.D., the chef at Yum Yum Social, a Lebanese restaurant in Fort Collins, to gather insights into how this sriracha scarcity has been seen by the community.

King Soopers did note that they recently started receiving some shipments of Huy Fong Sriracha after a period of shortage that was noticed by the store. Yum Yum Social Chef J.D. explained that approximately six months ago, their supply dwindled, affecting both patrons and the chef personally. “Some customers are definitely missing but then also myself, we have some amazing chicken that goes really well with sriracha and now I can't even make my favorite dish that I used to make and it used to help with my digestion and help me kick a cold.”

Beyond the economic and logistical implications of the sriracha shortage, the shortage highlights the emotional connection people have with their preferred condiments. From customers missing the familiar heat to chefs yearning for the secret ingredient that completes their signature dishes, the Huy Fong Sriracha shortage in Fort Collins reveals the personal stories and preferences woven into the fabric of local cuisine.

As the Huy Fong Sriracha shortage continues in Fort Collins, the local culinary scene finds itself in a unique predicament, with the absence of the very beloved condiment that has become some residents favorite add on. In the midst of this lack of spice, residents and businesses are discovering inventive ways to cope with the scarcity, while the overarching question remains—when will the the sriracha be back?

Both home cooks and chefs have started on a culinary journey to find suitable alternatives. Local restaurants, traditionally reliant on the distinctive taste of Huy Fong's creation, are experimenting with other hot sauces, attempting to capture the essence of the missing Sriracha. For residents who have grown accustomed to the tangy-sweet dash of spiciness, this period of adaptation serves as a culinary exploration, discovering new ways to achieve that perfect balance in their dishes.

A secondary market has emerged as the sriracha has gone missing, characterized by inflated prices and entrepreneurial endeavors. Third-party sellers on online platforms are now capitalizing on the demand, with some bottles reaching prices five times higher than the standard retail cost. While this may be an unwelcome reality for some consumers, it reflects the economic principles of supply and demand. Entrepreneurs, recognizing an opportunity in the midst of scarcity, have ventured into crafting their own sriracha-style sauces, aiming to satisfy the cravings of a Sriracha-deprived community.

The absence of Huy Fong Sriracha has triggered reflections on the role of food in our lives, illustrating how certain flavors become intertwined with our memories and daily routines. In homes across Fort Collins, meals lack the familiar kick that Sriracha once provided. While the

Sriracha shortage has undoubtedly presented challenges, the Fort Collins community remains optimistic about the eventual return of their favorite hot sauce.,