Reflections on a New Century
by publisher Tom Brock

It would be humanly impossible to live in America today and not be aware of the impending new century and new millennium that quickly follows. Most of us are sick of Y2K by now, but in a society that measures itself by numbers, the change to the year 2000 is cool, if nothing else.
In olden days, at such momentous times, soothsayers would throw bones or rune stones to divine the future. We’ve decided to continue the tradition here at Boulder Magazine, but with a slightly updated twist: We’ve consulted some of our city’s most active and articulate visionaries to cast their thoughts ahead into the next century, muse on the fundamental issues and share their ideas. We spoke to scientists, entrepreneurs, activists and educators, who all saw similar patterns in their tea leaves—concerns about neighborhoods, children, families and community, and calls for action on environmental issues and, above all, taking steps to preserve the Earth.
Boulder Magazine publisher Tom Brock interviewed the soothsayers—Virginia Patterson, Will Toor, Michael (Mickey) Glantz, Maggie Fox, Stan Garnett, David Fahey, Mike Gilliland and Josie Heath—in November 1999.

Click on individual names to link directly to their interview. For full story, read on...

Prescribed Burns: A Fiery Rx for Open Space

With controversial prescribed burns devastating ther Los Alamos, NM area in the late spring of 2000, this article is as timely as ever. Wendy Underhill explores the methods and reasons behind Boulder's tricky tactics.