The Westword.com Blog Shortcut, July 11 Edition

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Backbeat Online introduces "Scratch and Dent," a new column by acclaimed singer-songwriter John Common. For his first effort, he looks back on his stint in the KISS Army. Gene Simmons wants you -- but that's no surprise. Also new: "Saving Grace," which finds the one nugget on an otherwise exercrable album -- in this case, Bob Dylan's Self-Portrait. And there's a live review of The Ideal Fathers, too.

The Cat's Pajamas invites you to a Sweet Summer Sample Sale, eyeballs some trendy Colfaxers and catches participants in this week's Henry awards looking particularly fetching. In Cafe Society, the Candy Girls share their innermost thoughts about a chocolate therapist. And in Demver, confessed Obama supporter Sean Cronin finds something to like about a John McCain ad. See -- we can all get along. -- Michael Roberts