24-Color
24 Centennial Citizen
August 2, 2013
Littleton author wins Colorado Book Award Parker Anthology had roots in Columbine tragedy
Continued from Page 23
By Sonya Ellingboe
sellingboe@ourcoloradonews.com On June 21, Carolyn Mears of Littleton was presented with the 2013 Colorado Book Award for Anthology for her 2012 book, “Reclaiming School in the Aftermath of Trauma: Advice Based on Experiences” (Palgrave Macmillan). The awards ceremonies were held in Aspen. The annual Colorado Book Awards, in a number of categories, are given by The Colorado Center for the Book, a program of the Colorado Humanities, affiliated with the Library of Congress Center for the Book in Washington, D.C. The organization, a nonprofit affiliate of the National Endowment for the Humanities, has an office in Greenwood Village and supports literary, cultural and historical programs throughout the state. Mears’ experiences began on April 20, 1999. Her younger son was a student at Columbine High School when the shooting tragedy happened. “Severely exposed to violence one should never have to,” she said, he ended up hiding in a closet with others. There were about three hours of “that unknowing piece — was he alive?” “That’s the beginning. There was no preparation for schools, teachers, counselors ... Thinking things will go back to how it used to be is a myth — for kids, teachers, parents, community. It was a shattering of what we thought our world was.” As an educator, Mears determined to return to school and embarked on an award-winning Ph.D. thesis project, published as “Experiences of Columbine Parents in Finding the Way to Tomorrow.” A network began that reached across the world.
Carolyn Mears of Littleton won the 2013 Colorado Book Award for her anthology “Reclaiming School in the Aftermath of Trauma: Advice Based on Experiences.” Courtesy photo “But when I speak, I speak as a Columbine mom. I trust people who have lived the experience.” She developed a research method. She had inquiries from around the world about “what did the teachers do?” It was back to the drawing board. She needed to go beyond being a Columbine mom. A federal grant was available to aid in research for Mears, who is a dissertation adviser and adjunct faculty at the University of Denver’s Morgridge College of Education and is a member of the Trauma Certification Board of the DU Graduate School of Social Work. She is called on to speak nationally and internationally about such topics as trauma response and recovery after school shootings, safe school environments, leadership in times of crisis and narrative research. “Everyone on the globe will experience or know someone who has experienced a traumatic event,” Mears said. For her 12-chapter anthology,
she connected with people at Virginia Tech over the shooting there; the Lusher Charter School in New Orleans about Hurricane Katrina experiences; the New York Law School, near the World Trade Center, about 9/11; and the Joleka Center School in Finland, where there was a school shooting in 2007. She interviewed in some cases and included writing by others. Mears asked: “Tell me briefly your story/experience. What did you find helpful?” There were more than 100 interviews and she used her material from Columbine parents. “I really wanted to be sure their voices came through — I don’t own their life experience nor their words. It’s important that people are not victimized.” “It’s a tough read,” she says of her anthology. However, “it’s a book not of sorrow, but of hope.” Readers can find a list of other 2013 Colorado book award winners by going online to coloradohumanities.org, then clicking on a link on the “News/Media” page.
Players and spectators receive drink and food tickets for a variety of beverages to enjoy as well as morsels from restaurants including Brio Tuscan Grille, Opus Restaurant & Aria Wine Bar, California Pizza Kitchen, Kona Grill, Patxi’s and a goody bag. Tournament time is from 2 to 9 p.m. Aug. 2 at 2500 E. First Ave. General admission is $35 in advance or $40 at the door, which includes two drink tickets and a goody bag. VIP spectator tickets are $60 advance, $70 at the door. The ticket includes unlimited drinks, VIP check-in, exclusive seating, personal beverage service and a goody bag. To reserve tickets, go to http://ezregister.com/ events/7380/.
Just in from EaterDenver
TAG Burger Bar is in the planning stages of a second location in northwest Denver, bordering the Highland neighborhood. The casual burger joint led by chef Troy Guard now operates in Congress Park at 12th and Madison. A second location is planned in the former Subway Tavern & Pizzeria Longo’s space at 38th and Lipan. The Larimer Associates, which owns TAG Burger Bar, acquired the family-owned restaurant in September when Longo’s closed its doors after 52 years in business. A massive remodel is planned for the 3,000-squarefoot space starting early September. Considering the age of the restaurant and lack of upgrades in recent years, Larimer Associates decided to gut it and start over with a remodel project that will
likely take six months.
Golf fun for charity
I have had the rare privilege of being asked to participate (a.k.a. play) in the Hyde Park Jewelers charity golf tournament for the 14 years that it’s been in existence. But the night preceding the tourney can be even more of a reunion between athletes and journalists who gathered on July 21 at Elway’s Cherry Creek for an amazing dinner and event led by one of my favorite media personalities, Les Shapiro (host of radio and television). Not only was the dinner amazing, but our lovely “Table 26” was filled with the might and right.
Game day
Because Les Shapiro is so good to me, I got to play as a “celebrity” fifth at Cherry Creek Country Club on Monday for the Hyde Park Jewelers Diamonds in the Rough golf tournament (presented by Rolex, where’s mine?) to benefit Youth Biz, Judi’s House and the Global Down syndrome. My patient teammates included David Blake (from the Colorado state’s attorney’s office and son of Ernie Blake, a blessing to our Denver community for his fundraising efforts), who was the best stick in our fivesome. Penny Parker’s “Mile High Life” column gives insights into the best events, restaurants, businesses, parties and people throughout the metro area. Parker also writes for Blacktie-Colorado.com. You can subscribe and read her columns (Monday, Wednesday and Friday) at www.pennyparker.blacktie-colorado.com. She can be reached at penny@ blacktie-llc.com or at 303619-5209.