All the News About Denver’s Best Residential Community Since 1960 • Volume 63, Issue No. 1 • January 2024
A Rocky Start
Neighbors Vexed By Lack Of Transparency In Plan To House 72 Migrant Families At Mosaic Community Campus By Cara DeGette GPHN Editor
A plan to house 72 migrant families at two former dormitories on the Mosaic Community Campus has generated annoyance and vexation. The criticism is not that migrant families will be moving into the apartments — but rather what City Councilwoman Shontel Lewis and other community leaders term a maddening lack of transparency from the Denver mayor’s office and other key players. Rumors that the families would be moving into the dorms on the Mosaic campus in southeast Park Hill — formerly Johnson & Wales — began making the rounds in late November. The former dorms, Triangolo Hall and Gaebe Hall, are owned by the Denver Housing Authority and include 72 mostly one-bedroom apartments. The Housing Authority bought the buildings in 2021 with the intent to repurpose them into affordable housing. But they have been sitting empty. (Four other dorms
on campus are owned by Archway Communities and are currently undergoing renovations.) On Dec. 11 the Greater Park Hill News reached out to the Denver Housing Authority (DHA) asking for details. The following day, its Director of Communications, Allison Trembly, responded: “Denver Housing Authority is working with key partners such as Jewish Family Service of Colorado and the Denver mayor’s office, to begin housing international families (e.g., migrants and refugees) who are resettling in our community,” Trembly wrote. “With cold weather upon us, families with young children could be moving into Gaebe and Triangolo Halls starting in December 2023. We anticipate the average stay per family to be 3-9 months. DHA is the property owner and landlord. Our partners will seek to assist these families in securing employment, educational opportunities, healthcare services, and permanent housing. “DHA and its partners are committed to keeping the campus com-
Keeping The Message Alive
This month marks 60 years since civil rights leader Martin Luther King, Jr. came to Denver. In this image, King speaks to an overflow crowd outside Park Hill’s Montview Boulevard Presbyterian Church. Read the story about his visit, and his continuing legacy on page 9. Photo by Mel Schlieltz, Rocky Mountain News collection/Denver Public Library munity informed as plans are solidified to ensure that transparency and safety are prioritized throughout the process.” Feeling sideswiped On Dec. 20, Trembly said meal services are being “actively assessed,” and that each unit has a fully func-
tioning kitchen. The average family size will be four, she said. At press time, just before Christmas, families had not yet moved in. Additional details were scant, including from Mayor Mike Johnston. The mayor’s office is a major driver continued on page 6
Inside This Issue PAGE 4
Solace In Winter At Rocky Mountain National Park
PAGE 5
Make 2024 The Year Of Action To Halt Global Warming
PAGE 8
Denver’s National Western Stock Show And Rodeo Kicks Off Jan. 4 With An Annual Downtown Parade Story and photos by Reid Neureiter For the GPHN
Steeped in tradition, Denver’s National Western Stock Show kicks off on Jan. 4 with the annual parade of longhorn cattle being driven through the heart of downtown Denver. Trailing the cattle will be horses, wagons, and marching bands. This
year’s National Western parade Grand Marshal is former Denver Broncos All-Pro middle linebacker Randy Gradishar. Famous for his leadership of the “Orange Crush Defense,” Gradishar was the 1978 NFL Defense Player of the Year. The Stock Show parade starts at noon, moving from Union Station up 17th Street. During and after the parade, the public is invited to enjoy the Stock
continued on page 7
PAGE 14
Git Along Dogies
Show Fair at McGregor Square, featuring miniature therapy horses, music, western royalty, ice skating and a food market. The Stock Show is Denver’s premier winter event, and is held at National Western Complex, about four miles northwest of the heart of Park Hill. With exhibitors and guests from 40 states and 30 countries, it is estimated that the Stock Show injects more than $120 million and more than 1,000 jobs to Denver’s economy. Attendance last year was 702,697, rebounding from 2021 when the event was cancelled because of the
Do You Have What It Takes To Be A Blockworker?
PAGE 13
Longhorn cattle being herded up 17th Street in front of Union Station in downtown Denver during the 2023 National Western Stock Show Parade.
An Update On The Historic House On Montview
At The Library: How This Book Was Hatched
Upcoming GPHC Meetings Community meetings are conducted on the first Thursday of each month at 6:30 p.m., except for July and December.
Meetings are held in person at 2823 Fairfax St. People can also attend via Zoom at greaterparkhill.org/join-us/community-meetings The next meeting is Jan. 4. at 6:30 p.m. The February meeting is Thursday, Feb. 1.
Giving back
Spreading The Love A Resource Guide For What And Where To Give Thousands of our neighbors have been living unsheltered and are struggling for basic services. Many others are new to Colorado, arriving with little to nothing. Not sure where to donate? Here’s a list of resources. Special thanks to Alison Bresler, a Park Hill-based professional organizer, who compiled most of these resources. (Bresler’s company, Create Calm Lifestyle, is at createcalm.com.) Providing critical services to migrant and refugee communities:
trent nestman, d.d.S., M.S. park hill'S bOard-certified
OrthOdOntic SpecialiSt
• The Central Park & Park Hill - Venezuelan Migrant Support Facebook page connects families in Denver with goods and services. • Project Worthmore (projectworthmore.org) • Lutheran Family Services (lfsrm. org). African Community Center of Denver: acc-den.org/in-kind-donations ARC: arcthrift.com/donations
• Click “Find by Location” to find the chapter closest to you
A Precious Child: apreciouschild.org/takeaction/donate-goods/
• Clothing, toys & books, home goods, baby essentials, hygiene products, bikes, school & art supplies, and more
• Current needs: Winter clothing items including hoodies, shoes, hats, gloves and scarves. Details at Denvergov.org/MigrantSupport.
Conducted by Dr. Enrique Lasansky DSA Director of Orchestras
Colorado Coalition for the Homeless: coloradocoalition.org/donateitems
• Gently used clothing, toys, books, personal hygiene, household items, baby bottles, RTD tokens Deja Blue: goodwillcolorado.org/shop/ boutique/
Editor: Cara Degette Manager: Brenda Morrison Ad Sales: Melissa Davis and Denise Fisher Art Director: Tommy Kubitsky
how to find Us
1980 Dahlia St, Denver
TICKETS $20 Adults • $15 Seniors • $10 Children Page 2
Voicemail: 720-287-0442 Email: newspaper@greaterparkhill.org Address: 2823 Fairfax St. Denver, 80207 Website: greaterparkhill.org Facebook: facebook.com/greaterparkhillnews Twitter: @parkhillnews
contact us Story Tips and Letters to the Editor: Cara DeGette: 720-979-4385, editor@greaterparkhill.org
Doors at 1PM • Concert at 2PM Reception to follow
Advertising information: Melissa Davis: ads@greaterparkhill.org Denise Fisher: sales_denise@greaterparkhill.org
givebutter.com/hpIUvI
Deadline for submissions is the 15th of every month
• Towels, blankets, paper towels, trash bags, batteries, shoe boxes, sandwich bags, ping pong balls, cardboard tubes
Denver Rescue Mission: denverrescuemission.org/ways-to-give/ give-items/
• Non-perishable food, clothing, household items, hygiene items
Dress for Success: dressforsuccess.org/ get-involved/donation-drives/
• Old electronics, furniture, clothing, shoes, accessories, books, media, lamps, instruments, crafting, appliances, games, sports & exercise equipment, tools, garden equipment, vehicles Greater Park Hill Community, Inc.: greaterparkhill.org/donate/
• See page 16 for current Emergency Food Pantry needs Habitat for Humanity: habitatmetrodenver. org/restore/donate/
• Furniture, appliances, cabinetry Salvation Army: salvationarmy.org
• Pick up service available Urban Peak: urbanpeak.org/ support#donate-more
• See Support page for volunteer and donation needs Vietnam Veterans of America: pickupplease.org/acceptable-donations/
The Greater Park Hill News is published by Greater Park Hill Community, Inc. (GPHC) on the 1st of each month. Greater Park Hill Community, Inc. makes no warranties and assumes no responsibility for the accuracy of the information contained herein. The opinions expressed in articles are not necessarily the opinions of GPHC. GPHC does not necessarily endorse the companies, products or services advertised in The Greater Park Hill News unless specifically stated. GPHC reserves the right to run any advertisement. Circulation is 13,000 and is distributed in the Park Hill Area by neighborhood volunteers.
who we are
Montview Boulevard Presbyterian Church
Denver Dumb Friends League: ddfl.org/ donation-center/
• Clothing, household, toys, electronics, books, equipment
• High-end/designer clothing for
SATURDAY, JANUARY 20 — 2:00PM
• Non-perishable food, clothing, hygiene products, household items
Goodwill: goodwillcolorado.org/donate/ material-donations/
City and County of Denver Migrant Support
PROKOFIEV’S ROMEO & JULIET BALLET, OP. 64
Denver Dream Center: denverdreamcenter. org/programs/dream-closet-pantry
• Unopened toiletries, baby items, check website for other needs
• Bikes, bike parts, bike accessories, office equipment, electronics
COMMUNITY OUTREACH CONCERT
• Serves all genders and all ages in supportive housing apartments
The Gathering Place: tgpdenver.org/ donate/donate-new-and-used-items.html
• Accepts most items, including clothing, shoes, books, toys, kitchen items, furniture, décor, electronics and household items
Bikes Together: bikestogether.org/support
Join us for a
The Delores Project: thedeloresproject.org/ ways-to-give/current-needs
• Business suits, blouses, slacks, skirts, dresses, blazers, work-appropriate shoes, accessories
• Furnishings, kitchen items, linens
Assistance League: assistanceleague.org
2206 Kearney St., 720-735-9800 www.nestmanortho.com
women (re)entering the workforce
The Greater Park Hill Community, Inc., is a volunteerbased registered neighborhood organization that: promotes the character and vibrancy of Park Hill; provides resources, information and advocacy; and preserves quality of life and the history of the neighborhood through community participation. This newspaper is made possible through the support of our advertisers and members. If you are not already a member, please consider joining the Greater Park Hill Community, Inc.
The Greater Park Hill News
January 2024
Birdland | Mark Silverstein
MARCY EASTMAN 20 years in Real Estate & 21 years in Park Hill
From downsizing to investing, finding a larger space, or buying your first home, I'm here to help you achieve your real estate goals. Let's make the most of 2024 together!
MARCY EASTMAN
Bobbin Along
Realtor® | 720.436.5494 | marcy.eastman@compass.com Follow me on Instagram! marcy_eastman_denver
Long-Billed Dowitchers are plump shorebirds with very long bills, relatively long legs and short tails. Birders marvel at the way they eat, probing deeply into mud and sand in an up-and-down motion likened to the needle of a sewing machine. Long-Billed Dowitchers are monogamous; the males are known to perform flight songs hovering 60 feet in the air with their wings raised, engaging in impressive acrobatic displays. This couple was photographed at Bluff Lake just east of Park Hill by Mark Silverstein.
Compass is a licensed real estate broker, licensed to do business as Compass RE in Delaware, Idaho, New Jersey, Pennsylvania and Tennessee, Compass Realty Group in Kansas and Missouri, Compass Carolinas, LLC in South Carolina, and Compass Real Estate in New Hampshire, Maine, Vermont, Washington, DC., Idaho and Wyoming and abides by Equal Housing Opportunity laws.
Anastasia Williamson lives and works in Park Hill. She love this neighborhood for its architectural and cultural diversity. That kind of expertise qualifies her as a true Park Hill resident expert. It's why Aanastasia ranks as one of Park Hill's most successful Realtors. Clients know her expertise translates into top dollar for their properties.
Park Hill Album
With every home I sell in Park Hill in 2024, I’ll make a contribution to the Greater Park Hill Community
SOLD ABOVE LIST PRICE
SOLD
SOLD ABOVE LIST PRICE
SOLD
FOR SALE
1634 Locust Street • $1,300,000
2860 Albion Street • $810,000
2944 Ash Street • $1,050,000
2671 Eudora Street • $772,000
1380 Xanthia Street • $495,000
4 Beds | 4 Baths | 3,404 SqFt Stately Colonial
4 Beds | 3 Baths | 2,053 SqFt Pristine Cottage
3 Beds | 3 Baths | 3,632 SqFt Quintessential Two Story
Anastasia's Park Hill SOLDS Speak For Themselves! 2339 Monaco Pkwy 2621 Grape St 2308 Glencoe St 2601 Elm St 1649 Bellaire St 1648 Bellaire St 4512 E. 17th Ave 1775 Leyden St 3075 Clermont St 4114 E. 19th Ave 1612 Bellaire St 1607 Bellaire St 2595 Fairfax St 1558 Clermont St 1647 Clermont St 2816 Dahlia St 2383 Hudson St 2821 Dahlia St 2686 Dexter St 2248 Holly St 1901 Cherry St 2556 Elm St 2615 Elm St 2611 Birch St 2630 Glencoe St 2052 Krameria St 1755 Leyden Street
2884 Albion St 2967 Clermont 2886 Cherry 2646 Birch St 1638 Clermont St 2810 Bellaire St 2605 Fairfax St 2677 Ash St 2560 Birch St 2681 Cherry St 2809 Birch St 2514 Glencoe St 2652 Fairfax St 2609 Eudora St 2800 Birch St 3060 Ash St 2810 Olive St 1623 Bellaire St 2037 Krameria St 2084 Forest St 1536 Clermont St 2224 Grape St 2345 Clermont St 2070 Birch St 2865 Albion St 2530 Bellaire St
2820 Birch St 2614 Glencoe St 2840 Clermont St 1929 Bellaire St 1915 Monaco Pkwy 1544 Leyden St 2920 Cherry St 2621 Grape St 2576 Fairfax St 2581 Dahlia St 2389 Cherry St 2829 Clermont St 2960 Ash St 2556 Clermont St 2681 Cherry St 4545 E. 29th Ave 2530 Glencoe St 2895 Birch St 2955 Ivy St 1610 Locust St 2575 Clermont St 4345 E. 16th Ave 2680 Ash St 2861 Birch St 2854 Cherry St 2091 Hudson St
2645 Ash St 2570 Bellaire St 2616 Fairfax St 4326 Batavia Pl 2845 Cherry St 2947 Clermont St 3035 Bellaire St 2670 Grape St 2655 Elm St 1418 Grape St 2680 Ash St 2271 Clermont St 2817 Albion St 2684 Fairfax St 2894 Dexter St 2855 Ash St 3010 Clermont St 2295 Eudora St 3025 Albion St 2668 Elm St 2936 Albion St 2389 Cherry St 2654 Elm St 2514 Glencoe St 2065 Hudson St 2845 Cherry St
1623 Bellaire St 2855 Dahlia St 2825 Bellaire St 2900 Ash St 2681 Clermont St 2829 Ash St 2251 Ash St 2877 Cherry St 2341 Ivy St 2847 Clermont St 3010 Cherry St 2665 Forest St 2517 Elm St 1669 Newport St 3045 Fairfax St 4660 E 16th Ave 2877 Cherry St 2971 Bellaire St 2531 Clermont St 2894 Birch St 2801 Dexter St 3593 Monaco St 2668 Birch St 2664 Cherry St 2032 Holly St 2819 Ivanhoe St
All properties listed were sold by Anastasia Williamson between 2001 - Present. Data source REColorado & Denver property assessors.
1637 Elm St 2679 Albion St 3610 Magnolia St 1775 Monaco Pkwy 2582 Bellaire St 2233 Holly St 2229 Birch St 2862 Ash St 1855 Cherry St 2637 Eudora St 2542 Ash St 2045 Krameria St 2500 Dahlia St 2943 Birch St 2875 Albion St 2511 Birch St 2349 Forest St 2990 Cherry St 2379 Elm St 2870 Eudora St 2632 Cherry St 1450 Albion St #303 1925 Monaco Pkwy 3050 Bellaire St 2849 Kearney St 1830 Monaco Pkwy
3 Beds | 2 Baths | 2,000 SqFt Beautiful Craftsman Bungalow
3 Beds | 2 Baths | 1,929 SqFt Great Investment
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www.ParkHillSpecialist.com All information deemed reliable but not guaranteed and should be independently verified. All properties are subject to prior sale, change or withdrawal. Neither listing broker(s) nor Kentwood Real Estate shall be responsible for any typographical errors, misinformation, misprints and shall be held totally harmless.
PARK HILL'S RESIDENT EXPERT • PARK HILL'S RESIDENT EXPERT
PARK HILL'S RESIDENT EXPERT • PARK HILL'S RESIDENT EXPERT
PARK HILL'S RESIDENT EXPERT • PARK HILL'S RESIDENT EXPERT
PARK HILL'S RESIDENT EXPERT • PARK HILL'S RESIDENT EXPERT January 2024
The Greater Park Hill News
Page 3
Hikers make their way across a frozen Mills Lake.
Winter Still Life Finding Solace At Rocky Mountain National Park Story and photos by Reid Neureiter For the GPHN
It’s January, meaning ski traffic, meaning Interstate 70 is a nightmare. Here’s an option: When seeking solace in the winter alpenglow, consider Rocky Mountain National Park, just 70 miles to the northwest and an hour-and-a-half drive from Park Hill. Gone are the huge summer crowds with the accompanying required reservation system for entering. Bonus: the Park Service plows the road to the park’s most accessible and scenic area, Bear Lake, a gateway to the relatively short but spectacular snow-covered hikes to frozen Dream, Emerald, and Mills lakes.
January in the Park always means significant snow coverage, but the trails in the Bear Lake area are well-traveled and packed down, generally cancelling the requirement for snowshoes. But come prepared: Some-kind of traction devices for your boots (such as Yak-Trax or micro-spikes) are an absolute necessity, as the trails can become slick and icy. Hiking poles are a good idea too. The Park Service may require all-wheel drive or snow tires to drive the road to Bear Lake. Be sure to dress warmly and prepare for howling winds that sometimes whip over the Continental Divide and sweeps the snow from the lakes, leaving solid clear ice to walk across. The RMNP Facebook page
Frozen Dream Lake.
warns to “use extra caution near any inlets and outlets where water is flowing beneath the ice, as ice on the surface of the water is thinner at these locations. There is no way to know the depth of the ice across any alpine lake.” A one-day pass to Rocky Moun-
tain National Park is $30 and can be purchased at the entry gate. The annual pass allowing unlimited entry to all National Parks and Monuments is $80. More information about planning a winter visit can be found on the Park’s website: nps.gov/romo/index.htm.
January trek to Emerald Lake.
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The Greater Park Hill News
January 2024
Earth In Crisis | opinion
Giant Strides In 2024 Make This The Year Of Action To Halt Global Warming By Tracey MacDermott For the GPHN
At the close of the COP28 global climate summit in Dubai last month many celebrated a deal termed “the beginning of the end for the fossil fuel era.” While this may be considered historic, others have expressed disappointment that an actual phase-out of fossil fuels was not agreed upon. For years scientists have been warning that our planet must remain below 1.5 degrees Celsius of warming to avert climate disasters. In 2018, scientists were calling on world leaders to achieve this by 2030. Sadly, last year the mean global temperature was 1.46 degrees Celsius above pre-industrial levels. 2023 was the hottest year ever recorded. And, the critical COP28, which ran from Nov. 30 to Dec. 12, was — shockingly — led by an oil CEO. Specifically, the oil tycoon is Sultan al-Jaber, the CEO of the Abu Dhabi National Oil Company (ADNOC). His company is planning an expansion of oil and gas — we’re talking upwards of $150 billion worth of expansion. You read that correctly: billion. Yes, an oil tycoon oversaw one of the most important conference regarding our
ever-warming planet. Is it an understatement to call this a conflict of interest? As the conference was ending, the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) called on its members to oppose any phaseout of fossil fuels. Sultan al-Jaber made a shocking statement during the talks — expressing that there is no science to support phasing out fossil fuels would keep us under the important benchmark of 1.5 degrees Celsius. (He later claimed that comment had been misinterpreted.) Ultimately, summit leaders agreed to transition away from fossil fuels. However, the language falls short of requiring a “phaseout.” And it allows individual countries to decide how to reduce their own carbon pollution. Last September, the New York Times summarized the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change with a distressing assessment that we will meet the 1.5 degrees Celsius mark in the first half of the next decade — meaning the goal is quickly slipping out of reach. If our world leaders make immediate efforts to slash greenhouse gases in half by 2030 and stop adding carbon dioxide altogether into the atmosphere, we still have only about a 50 percent
chance of limiting warming to 1.5 degrees Celsius. There is no time to waste. Global climate activist Greta Thunberg reminded us of the impact of not reaching this goal: “If we do not phase out fossil fuels, it will be a death sentence for countless people.” As overwhelming as this crisis is, we cannot lose hope and settle for inaction. What can each of you do? Raise your voice. If an oil executive running a climate conference is as strange to you as, say, tobacco lobbyist Doug Friednash currently sitting on the board of directors overseeing Denver Health, it is time to start calling on our leaders. It’s time to demand immediate action. Call your Congresswoman and U.S. Senators and demand that the U.S. — one of the world’s biggest emitters —take the lead on cutting greenhouse gas emissions. President Joe Biden has pushed through one of the biggest climate packages ever seen, but we need to do more. During the just-completed COP28 conference the U.S. did reveal new rules for cracking down on methane gasses. Let’s make sure we do that
not only across our nation but right here in Colorado. Call on our state lawmakers — who convene this month for the new legislative session — to tighten standards for methane leak detection and prompt repair. Call on Congress to authorize the $3 billion the U.S. pledged to the Green Climate Fund, which is intended to support developing countries goals towards low-emissions and resiliency efforts. As always, the work we do in our community helps drive change and inspires others. We can solve the climate crisis, but we must work together. Make 2024 the year we stop getting further behind. Get loud! Tracey MacDermott is an at-large board member of Greater Park Hill Community, Inc., and former chair. She was trained as a Climate Reality Leader in 2017, and is currently the Statewide Co-Chair of the Climate Reality Project for the 100% Committed Campaign. She can be reached at traceymacdermott@gmail.com.
Do You Know the Best Time to Sell Your Home?
New Year, New Alarm What Can You Do With Your Dead Smoke Detector?
to toss electronics in the trash in Colorado because toxic materials can leach into groundwater. After your smoke detector Hopefully in the future there wakes you at 2 a.m. with a false will be what’s called an “extended alarm and you discover it has producer responsibility” commitreached its expiration date and ting all manufacturers to address won’t stop chirping until S KUH recycling of their devices. Until ’ T you remove the battery, then, your best bet is to mail what do you do with it? your dead smoke and carbon You will be tempted to monoxide detectors back to O place it in your electronthe manufacturers for proper RECYC ics recycling pile for the disposal. next trip to BlueStar Recyclers. Mark Kuhl is an environmental adBut they don’t take them because vocate who lives in Park Hill with they may contain a small amount his family. His handy recycling tips of radioactive material. Nor does appear every month. A directory of Denver’s household hazardous past columns is at greaterparkhill. waste program, or Staples, or org/sustainability/recycling-direcany other place we take our dead tory/. electronics for recycling. It’s illegal By Mark Kuhl
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The Greater Park Hill News
Page 5
Rocky Start, continued from page 1 of the city’s plans to house migrants, including at Mosaic campus. For example, who will vet the new residents, and what are the details of that process? Who will be responsible for notifying the surrounding neighbors? What plans are in place for likely increased demands on nearby schools, and on local food pantries? In mid-December, Vince Chandler, director of communications for Councilwoman Lewis, said her office has been stymied attempting to learn details of the plan. The campus is in Lewis’s district. “We’ve been fielding questions for the past two weeks, and have been kept completely in the dark,” Chandler said. “It’s another example of a time that the mayor’s office is moving without proper notification to the councilwoman, or to the residents of her district.” Chandler said the District 8 office began hearing rumors about the plan in mid-November. But when the councilwoman attempted to learn more, she was simply told that her approval was not required. “It does feel like we were sideswiped,” Chandler said. He noted the exchange occurred at the time when other members of council have also accused Mayor Johnston of a lack of transparency over housing initiatives in their districts. “This is one more thing,” he said. Most disappointing, he said, is that the majority of the constituents they’ve heard from in District 8, which includes much of Park Hill, have expressed “huge support” for helping migrant families. Tapping into the generosity of the neighborhood could have been an “absolute win.” Sharing the frustration Over the past year an estimated 32,430 migrants have landed in Denver. Many of them are Venezuelans, who fled their country because of extreme economic hardship and political turmoil. In an effort to target liberal cities, Texas Republican Gov. Greg Abbott has chartered buses to transport migrants to Denver — even as the cold of winter has set in. As of Dec. 18, Denver reported 3,656 are being sheltered. Many migrants, however, are living outside, in makeshift tents. An estimated $35 million has been spent in Denver over the last year on emergency migrant relief efforts.
Many groups and organizations, including in Park Hill, have launched coordinated efforts to provide meals, warm clothing, and other essentials, as well as helping those who want to stay in Denver and find permanent housing and work. In the last two months of 2023, Park Hill also absorbed a disproportionate number of Denver’s unhoused population. As detailed in last month’s issue, several former hotels along Quebec Street have been repurposed as part of Mayor Johnston’s House1000 program to provide shelter to Denverites who have been living on the streets, many of them for years. The mayor’s efforts have been supported by Councilwoman Lewis, who has urged compassion from constituents who have been critical about absorbing a disproportionate number of transitionary housing units compared to citywide numbers. While District 8 has done much of the heavy lifting, Lewis has expressed hope that the rest of Denver will step up. “We have shown ourself as a leader in these efforts to be collaborative, to get folks sheltered,” Lewis said in an interview. “So yes, the lack of collaboration [regarding the Mosaic campus plan] has been very disappointing. “I share in the neighbors’ frustration, and I feel the same disappointment that this process has not been collaborative.” The difference of knowing As of press time, Greater Park Hill Community, Inc., the registered neighborhood organization, has not been notified of the migrant housing plan. Nor have residents of the neighborhood immediately surrounding Mosaic campus. By contrast, Adriana Murphy, the head of school for St. Elizabeth’s, a K-8 school on campus next to the dorms, said she was informed of the plan in early December. She notified parents and students on Dec. 8. “By and large we’ve had a pretty positive response,” Murphy said. “Some families have reached out and said, ‘how can we help?’” School officials, she said, are currently waiting for additional information, including a move-in date, before figuring out exact ways to help. Suggestions have ranged from “Welcome to Campus” signs, donat-
ing clothing and providing other necessities. “We knew when we first came on the property [in 2021] that there would be low-income housing,” she said. “We were not aware it would be housing for immigrant and refugee families, but we came on to the campus wanting to be good neighbors and supportive of people who are wanting a fresh start, and wanting to contribute to our community and our country.” ‘This could be such a win-win’ Other would-be partners have been left chafing at the lack of communication. At press time, neither the Denver Housing Gaebe Hall is one of the former dormitories on the Authority nor the mayor’s Mosaic Community Campus (formerly Johnson & office had notified offWales) that will be used to house migrant families for campus neighbors. three to nine months. Photos by Cara DeGette “I’m disappointed,” said Shane Sutherland, the “I don’t think anyone has a probboard chair of GPHC, Inc. “I was lem with trying to help people,” hoping this administration would Martyn said. “Denver is a forgiving have more outreach and keep us city, but to play dumb about this is abreast.” unconscionable.” “I hope that our neighborhood “This could be such a win-win,” he will welcome immigrants, but at the said. “People in this neighborhood same time the Johnston administraare pretty welcoming. It’s the arrotion promised outreach. This just gance that is just so troubling. Their breeds distrust.” approach — ‘we’re going to do this Gary Martyn, who lives less than ask forgiveness later’ — well, it’s a two blocks from the campus, likened cute saying but it gets old after about the lack of transparency as “another three times.” way the city can bungle the simplest of things.”
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January 2024
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Stock Show, continued from page 1
The flag bearer during the singing of the national anthem at the MLK, Jr. Rodeo at the 2023 National Western Stock Show.
COVID-19 pandemic. The Stock Show itself begins two days after the parade, on Jan. 6. With 29 rodeos, livestock judging competitions, dancing horse shows, auctions, exhibitions and booths, the event runs through Jan 21. Specialty rodeos include the “Colorado versus The World” rodeo on Jan. 6, the Mexican Rodeo Extravaganza on Jan. 7, PBR bullriding from Jan, 8-10 and the MLK Jr. African American Heritage Rodeo on Jan. 15. The Pink Pro Rodeo on Jan. 11 is an event in which competitors and attendees are encouraged to wear pink symbolizing the fight against breast cancer. Most of the rodeos include universal crowd-pleasing favorite Mutton Bustin’ events, in which children between the ages are 5-7 and weighing less than 55 pounds try to ride a sheep — just like their bull-riding heroes. This year there will be two
Mutton Bustin’-exclusive events, featuring an hour of nothing but tenacious children holding on for dear life. The nutin’ but bustin’ events will take place in the historic Stadium Arena on Jan. 8 at 6 p.m. and Jan. 14 at 5 p.m. Beyond the rodeos, a number of family-friendly events are scheduled. The NWS Wild West shows on Jan. 13 and 14 feature reenactments of the original Buffalo Bill Wild West shows. The Xtreme Dogs shows on Jan. 15 and 16 will highlight tricks, aerial stunts and unpredictable antics performed by human’s best friend. As the Stock Show’s website advertises, “There is a lot to see, do and smell!” Ticket prices for admission range from $17 to $25 for adults and $4 to $5 for children up to age 12. Tickets and specifics are at nationalwestern.com/tickets/buy-tickets/.
https://mail.google.com/mail/u/0/?tab=rm&ogbl#inbox/KtbxLvHDkBSjPNWtTcZZDfGBVXrGVwdVbV?projector=1&messagePartId=0.2
Your Park Hill Real Estate Expert Local Knowledge You Can Trust
Dave Krohne Realtor® 720.412.5003 david.krohne@compass.com @denverhomesbydave
Most of the rodeos feature Mutton Bustin’, in which young children ride sheep (and sometimes get thrown) in front of cheering crowds. Photo from last year’s show. January 2024
The Greater Park Hill News
Compass is a licensed real estate broker and abides by Equal Housing Opportunity laws. All material presented herein is intended for informational purposes only. Information is compiled from sources deemed reliable but is subject to errors, omissions, changes in price, condition, sale, or withdrawal without notice. This is not intended to solicit property already listed. Photos may be virtually staged or digitally enhanced and may not reflect actual property conditions.
Page 7
Letters To The Editor News To Use
Re: the news story “Finding Shelter” in the December issue. Thank you for the comprehensive coverage on the various housing options for the unsheltered. All of the details are extremely helpful when informing the Central Park community. Carol Hunter, Central Park
Good Explainer
Outstanding article, “Finding Shelter.” Thanks for explaining the situation so clearly and thoroughly. John Lebsack, Park Hill
Another View
private events. How is this beneficial to us, the citizens who own this public park? I urge anyone who would like to see a truly vibrant park to visit Balboa Park in San Diego. It fairly buzzes with activity, from concerts to theatre to street vendors and buskers, and one of the buildings houses the beautiful upscale Prado restaurant. Finally, lest you think I’m one of “them flatland fureigners” recently arrived to our city, let me clarify: I was born in Denver over 70 years ago and grew up in Park Hill. Park Hill-ites, NIMBY-ism is really quite unbecoming for supposed progressives. Sarah McGregor, Central Park
While Woody Garnsey and Penfield Tate III certainly deserve accolades for their past community work, I fail to understand how their “wins” over Park Hill Golf Course and, earlier, the City Park Pavilion, have benefited the Park Hill community. Have any of you been to the golf course recently? If not, let me enlighten you, as I often cycle past it. It’s still a derelict, weed-choked piece of land that now has a big fence around it to keep people out. How is this open space? It’s been re-zoned for golf — oh, yippee, a fee-based, private use with negative environmental impacts. And to think we could have had a park and housing there. As for the pavilion, this lovely building sits empty and unused most of the time. And, terrific, one can rent it to the tune of $900 or so for
Editor’s note: McGregor’s letter is in response to the November, 2023 news story about Woody Garnsey and Penfield Tate III being honored as corecipients of this year’s Babbs Award for community service. Garnsey and Tate led the efforts to protect the cityowned conservation easement at the Park Hill Golf Course, which Denver voters approved last April by a 2-1 margin. The story about Garnsey and Tate can be read at this link: greaterparkhill.org/committed-to-history/ We love your letters, and give preference to those that address an issue that has been covered in the newspaper, or a topic that is Park Hill or Denver-specific. Send letters to editor@greaterparkhill.org, and include your full name, and the neighborhood in which you live. Deadlines are the 15th of each month, for the following month’s issue.
The 90-year old house at 5013 Montview Blvd. has been qualified to preserve as a landmark. Photo by Cara DeGette
Update On Montview House
My name is Mark Rinehart, and together with my wife Marianne, we purchased the property at 5013 Montview Blvd. a little over a year ago. We purchased a property that had sat vacant for over two years and was deteriorating due to neglect both inside and out with the intention of building our forever home. Park Hill has been our home for over a decade, and it holds a special place in our hearts as the community where we started our family, attend church, and have our children in school. We’ve been actively listening to the diverse voices in the community, and we wanted to provide an update on the status of the property. We understand that some members of the community would prefer to see the house preserved in its current state, but regrettably, we lack the capacity and time to undertake the intricacies of a historic renovation project. My professional background is in media, and Marianne is a nurse. With two young boys under the age of 10 and Marianne coping with the recent loss of her father to cancer, the stress of this process has become overwhelming, and we recognize our limitations in handling something of this complexity. To address concerns and explore potential solutions, we engaged in mediation with members of the neighborhood and Michael Flowers of Historic Denver. Acknowledging the applicants’ strong connections in the historic preservation field and their network of preservation-minded buyers, we are proposing a 45-day pause in the current process. During this period, Michael and the other applicants would have the opportunity to present the property for sale at the price we have invested thus far. In the event that Michael and the applicants successfully secure a preservation-minded buyer willing to purchase the property and restore it to its original state inside the four walls of the current house, Marianne and I are prepared to step back from the project and explore alternative property options. However, should they be unable to secure such an arrangement within the proposed 45-day timeframe, we have requested that they consider withdrawing their application. If anyone reading this has a potential buyer interested in the property, please feel free to reach out to Marianne or myself. We are more than willing to share surveys, plans, and any other relevant information that could assist a new buyer in making an informed decision. Please contact us to discuss real estate disclosures and terms of closing, etc. We sincerely appreciate the community’s understanding and assistance throughout this process. Mark and Marianne Rinehart, Park Hill
Editor’s note: The Denver Landmark Preservation Commission identified the house at 5013 Montview Blvd. as qualified to preserve as a landmark. Several Park Hill residents have filed a notice of intent to pursue protected designation of the house. A story detailing its historical importance and past owners appeared in the October issue, and can be read at this link: greaterparkhill.org/talk-of-the-neighborhood-october-2023/
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The Greater Park Hill News
January 2024
Dick and Lorie Young, in this recent photo with downtown Denver as a backdrop, hosted a reception for King at their Park Hill home 60 years ago. Photo by Cara DeGette
Macedonia Baptist Church’s Maxine Gatewood holds an image of King and others in this 2014 photograph. File photo by Cara DeGette
60 Years This Month Witnesses Recall Martin Luther King, Jr.’s Unwavering Eloquence During His 1964 Visit To Park Hill By Cara DeGette GPHN Editor
When Martin Luther King, Jr. came to Park Hill 60 years ago this month, he mesmerized and energized thousands of Coloradans working toward integration and waging a battle for racial equality. The same month — January, 1964 — Time magazine named King its “Man of the Year” for his influence the year before. He was the first African American recipient of that honor. He had just celebrated his 35th birthday. King’s three-day visit to Colorado included several speaking engagements in Denver and Littleton. Denver paid him a total of $200 for the appearances, which sparked some controversy. The historic tour also included a powerful Sunday sermon that King delivered at Macedonia Baptist Church, a predominantly Black church in the Skyland neighborhood north of City Park. King completed his time in Denver with another sermon at Montview Boulevard Presbyterian Church in Park Hill, where the crowd, in the thousands, spilled onto the street outside. Everywhere, King spoke of the battle for racial equality, promoting the Civil Rights Act of 1964, which passed later that year.
MLK, Jr. Marade Is Jan. 15
Denver’s annual Martin Luther King, Jr. Marade is scheduled for Monday, Jan. 15. The marade (March plus parade) is one of the largest celebrations commemorating the civil rights leader’s birthday. Tens of thousands of participants gather at the MLK, Jr. statue at City Park, and march up Colfax to Civic Center Park downtown. People start gathering at 9:30 a.m., and the march begins around 10:45 a.m. Everyone is welcome. January 2024
larly relevant to King’s visit because the neighborhood was ground zero in the fight for fair housing and public school integration during the time. Park Hill was the first neighborhood in Denver — and was a model for the nation — to resist the blockbusting that occurred when Black families started moving into neighborhoods that had been previously been inhabited mostly by white families. Rather than go along with what is also called “white flight,” many Park Hill residents worked to integrate the neighborhood. One of King’s visits was to Littleton, which was then a far south suburb of Denver where very few, if any, Blacks lived at the time. In a 2006 PBS documentary about King’s trip to Denver, Garrett Ray, the former editor of the Littleton Independent, discussed the significance. “[We knew] Park Hill was making efforts to remain as an integrated community, and Littleton [leaders] said, ‘We need to be looking at this and we need to be ready’,” said Ray. ‘Just a beautiful time’ On Jan. 24, 1964, King addressed the congregation at Littleton’s Grace Presbyterian Church. “We’re struggling in the final analysis to save the soul of our nation,” he said. “We’re struggling also to save the image of our nation. Therefore it is imperative for the nation to work passionately and unrelentingly now to get rid of this cancer of segregation and discrimination.” The visit also included a reception for King at the Youngs’ Park Hill home, with then-Mayor Tom Currigan and other dignitaries. Lorie Young said that it was a fully catered affair, but all King asked for was a cup of tea with lemon. And she had no lemon in the house, so had to run next door and borrow one from a neighbor. King’s trip came less than two months after John F. Kennedy’s assassination, and many were still in shock. Security was tight throughout the visit, the
Youngs said. In a retrospective piece that ran in the Greater Park Hill News 10 years ago, Maxine Gatewood recalled the excitement of King’s Jan. 25 appearance at Macedonia Baptist Church. “We had read about him and seen him on TV and witnessed him in the light of all the stuff that was going on at that time,” said Gatewood, now the church office manager. “To actually have him be at the church — we felt like he was a celebrity.” The church, at 3240 Adams St., was filled to the capacity of 800, and security was tight. Gatewood didn’t remember King’s exact message, just the calm he exuded. “There was a bomb threat during the service, but he handled in a way that he knew everything was going to be all right. “He was a man of God. It was just a beautiful time.” Crowds jammed the sidewalks The last stop of King’s visit, on Jan. 26, was at Montview Boulevard Presbyterian Church at 1980 Dahlia St. Young remembers that Sunday afternoon as snowy, and cold. Still, King drew the biggest turnout the church ever had – an estimated 3,000 strong, including a spillover crowd jamming the sidewalks outside. It was a multiracial gathering, with religious leaders and politicians in the crowd. Shortly before he was to speak, King became locked in the pastor study area due to a tricky door jam. Ultimately, church leaders propped a ladder outside and the civil rights leader climbed out, carrying his robe. He spoke to the throngs outside the church, before going inside to talk to the congregation. Later that year, King was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in Oslo, Norway.
“More and more we must come to see, we must come to see, that the problem of racial injustice is a national problem and not a sectional one,” King said in one Denver speech, as reported in newspaper accounts at the time. “… No section of our country can boast of clean hands in the area of brotherhood. And I think as the movement progresses in the south it must progress in the north and vice versa because if you have the problem anywhere you have some aspects of it everywhere. And injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere.” Editor’s note: The 50th anniversary Park Hill relevance Greater Park Hill News story about According to an account in the Martin Luther King’s visit to ColoJan. 25, 1964 Rocky Mountain News, rado and Park Hill can be read at King hinted at a national boycott this link: greaterparkhill.org/mlk-inof industries that refuse to abanpark-hill-50-years-this-month/ don employment policies that allow racial discrimination. He rejected suggestions that enacting new laws would not change attitudes that condone discrimination. “Legislation can’t make a man love me, but it can stop a man from lynching me,” King told an audience of 600 on a Friday night at the University of Denver. King’s visit was sponsored by the Denver Commission on Human Relations. The organization’s chairman, Dick Young, escorted the civil rights leader to his many speaking engagements and meetings with other local leaders in Denver and Littleton. Keeping The Message Alive “I was just awestruck Ten years ago the Greater Park Hill News published a story marking the 50th anniversary of Martin at how he spoke, usLuther King, Jr.’s visit to Denver. As historic as it was, the event had been forgotten by many over time. The reminder has proven fortuitous. The year after the news story appeared, and each year ing no notes,” recalled Young, who has lived in after that, local elementary school leaders have organized a new Park Hill tradition: The annual students’ MLK, Jr. marade (march and parade). Every January, on the day after King’s birthday, Park Hill with his wife hundreds of kindergartners and first grade students from Hallett, Smith, Stedman and Park Hill elLorie for 63 years. ementary schools gather at Turtle Park. Hand-in-hand, waving homemade signs, the children march “He was just such an to the church, two blocks away. Gathering on the steps, where King stood many years before, they effective speaker.” Park Hill was particu- sing “We Shall Overcome.” File photo by Ali Monroe Larson
The Greater Park Hill News
Page 9
Thank You Neighbors Thanks to your support, participating real estate agents have proudly donated over $40,000 to the Greater Park Hill Community Food Bank since 2015. These community-focused agents will continue this generous tradition in 2024 with a donation of $100 per transaction in Park Hill!
Page 10
NATALIE HENGEL The Agency
CAROLYN DOOLING Compass
JAY EPPERSON Compass
LAURA HUDGINS Compass
KELLY HUDSON Compass
DAVID KHRONE Compass
ANASTASIA WILLIAMSON Kentwood City Properties
COMBS SELLS HOMES Kentwood Real Estate The Greater Park Hill News
January 2024
BEN FIEDLER Denver Luxury Homes
NINA KUHL HomeSmart
ROBERTA LOCKE Home Smart
ANN TORGERSON HomeSmart
JOHN WYSZYNSKI Gerretson Realty
NILMINI HECOX LIV Sotheby’s
CHRIS MERMAN LIV Sotheby’s
SCOTT PETERSEN LIV Sotheby’s
joining together to support our community
CHRISTINE DUPONT-PATZ RE/MAX of Cherry Creek
TEAM HETTERICH RE/MAX of Cherry Creek
THE ELEVATED TEAM RE/MAX of Cherry Creek
CHARM GILMORE Roet Realty
EMILY ROET Roet Realty
MARY GERWIN PorchLight Real Estate Group
SHAYLISA TURNER PorchLight Real Estate Group
JESSICA AVERY PorchLight Real Estate Group
BEN LUSZ PorchLight Real Estate Group
ALLISON NUANES PorchLight Real Estate Group
NIKKI WIEDERAENDERS PorchLight Real Estate Group
January 2024
The Greater Park Hill News
Page 11
Bundles Of Thanks The Greater Park Hill News utilizes a unique delivery system that includes nearly 400 volunteers who assist with the distribution of our publication. It is truly a community effort. We are grateful for the help of all our volunteers and take pride knowing we live in such a tight-knit community that rallies around the community paper. Every month, volunteers gather at the Greater Park Hill Community office on Fairfax Street for a few hours
Carol Ahnen Jody Allen-Smith Mark Almquist Micki Amick Greg & Vicki Anderson Robin Angst Jamie Archambault Brian Aucone Reagan Baker & Family Greg Barnes Maria Barreto Brad Barrett Oliver Bast Ann Baumgartner Christine Bejarano Ruby (Katie) Belcher Howard Belon Carolyn Bennoit Bonita Bird Jill Bishop Lindsay Black Walter Blake Kent Boesdorfer Hank Bootz Andrea Bott Karyn Brandt Diedre Bricker Julie Buck Rachel Burbank Sharon Burke Stephanie Calabrese Mary Carnegie Stephanie Ceccato Matt Cecere Emily Clark Rachel Coates Sondra Coker Heather Colliander Matthew Collver Nora Colter Janine Conklin Elaine Connell Catherine & Kevin Cray Veronica D’Annibale Wiley Daniel Linda Davis Cara DeGette Dana Delaney Haleigh Delmoro Sally Dischinger Celsa Dominguez Sara Donnelly Tom & Kelly Donohoue Bernice Donohoue Shawn Dresser Matt & Lindsay Dunbar Page 12
Martha Douglas Christine DupontPatz Jenny Dyer Mark Dysart Peg Ekstrand Dan Barnett Sam & Cindy Ellis Jean Ercolani Mona Estrada Julia Evans Andy Ewing Kola Fadeyi Erin Fahres Larsen Family Jack Farrar
to assemble stacks of newspapers and bundle them for distribution. The bundles are then delivered to the doorsteps of the blockworkers, who deliver papers to their neighbors’ doorsteps. This is how the Greater Park Hill News is distributed. It is a group effort and we are so grateful for your support! If you’re interested in volunteering, contact newspaper manager Brenda Morrison at newspaper@ greaterparkhill.org or call 720-287-0442.
Kevin Hallman Lisa Halstead John Harhai David Harris Amy Harris Shanta Harrison Duke Hartman Jennifer Heath Nam Henderson Michael Heringslack Lola Hershberger Margerie Hicks Everly Hildebrandt Dave Hill Laura Hill Shari Hill
Lynn Kalinauskas Tiffany Kampsnider Chris Kannen Lee Kastberg Jeff Kean Lynda Keavney Jackie Keller Kizzy Kelley Brian Kelly Tim & Sally Kennedy Sue Kilgore Ryan Kilpatrick Mark Kintner Frances Koehn Robb Kolstad
Carol McDermott Frank McLaughlin Craig McQueen Megan McQuinn Chris Merman Lori Midson Stuart Miller Juniper Miller-Cole Stacy Minjarez Laurel Mohr Paul Moore Tom & Kim Mordick Emily Morgan Brenda Morrison Adam Mueller
Thank you to the following volunteer bundlers in 2023: Hank Bootz Martha Douglas Denise Fisher Maria Flora
Libby Reinhardt Karl Reuter Barbara Reyman Carrie Richardson Jimmy Riley Becky Rold Adam Jacobs Rold Lisa Roll Moore Joan Root Deb Rosenbaum Jeff Rosensweig Allison Rosenthal Maple Ross Mary Salsich Bob & Barb Sample Andrew Sanchez
We are thankful and grateful to these blockworker volunteers for delivering the Greater Park Hill News to the doorsteps of their neighbors in 2023. Without their volunteer service, the neighborhood distribution of our publication would not be possible. The Greater Park Hill News is unique in that it relies on volunteers in the community to deliver our paper on their block or an adopted block in Park Hill. If you receive the paper on your doorstep, it is because of one of these fine volunteers. Want to join the fun? Check out the online map at gphndelivery.greaterparkhill.org. The map shows blocks in Park Hill that currently need blockworkers. Then, pick a block or two, sign up and get started. It’s that easy!
Gemma Fedele Margie Feinberg Sarah Felsen Harriett Felton Maria Flora Tommy Flowers EJ Footer Susan Fortney Josh Frank Mike Friel Regina Friend Dave Gahlert Simone Garcia Lisa Gardner Lori Gardner John Gavel Mary Gerwin Mario Giardiello Dan Goe Ellie Gora Mary Gorham Rose Gotseff Elaine Granata Ted Griffith Emily & Matt Groves Ernestine Hall Jacqueline Hall Carol Haller
R.H. & Ronnie Hinkson Leslie Hirsch Kirstin Hoagland Jody Hodges Gisela Hollon Chuck Holum Sandy Hoops Beth Hopkins Stephanie Hoy Robin Hunt Joel Hunter-Pirtle Andy Hwang Meg Ingram Julia Jackson Betty Jamison Bill & Mary Frances Jaster Jocelyn Javernick Tom Jensen Kirstin Jensen Christa Jimenez Jimmy Johnson Allison Johnson Ashley Johnson Will Johnson Matt Jordan Michele Joyce Vera Kalba
Elin Kondrad Tom Korson Gretchen Kurtz Joanne Labadie Bill Lakers Megan & Louis Landry James & Rachelle Larcus Barbara Larsen Elisabeth Lawrence Nel Lenhart Paulina Leon Tony Livaudais Roberta Locke Johnnie Lofton David & Lisa Lucas Lauren MacMillan Cathy & Dave Manchester Beverly Marasco Sophie Mariam Lisa Martinez Reuben Martinez Gary Martyn Jennifer & Bill McCafferty Margaret McCaskill Claurice McCoy
Norm Mueller Sarah Murphy Sammie Muzikowksi Christina Naff Steve Nelson Linda Nestor Megan Nyce Elizabeth O’Rear Keith & Kyle Olivera Samantha O’Neil Dunbar Lesa Paige Jordan Parman Jessica & Jeff Pearson Becky Perkins Franklin Pesantez Kara Petillo Janice Phillips Danny Pier Mike Quigley Paola Ramirez Mauricio Ramirez Kym Ray Linda & Paul Redstone Judy Regan
Bryan Saunders & Family Cindy Sawyer Doug Schuler Judy Schulman Karin Schumacher Art Schuster Michael Scott Susie Seawell Katrina Sellers Janet Shafer K & Jason Shiroff Lynn & Rich Shults Jacqui Shumway Diane Sieg Eric Sikkema Kathy Simpson Robyn Sims Jim Smith Elvin Smith Eloise Smith MK Smith Kelly Smith & Family Madison Spangler Cheryl Spector Milo, Jasper, & Lorrie Spoering Melissa Stearns
Mary Salsich Brian Shaw Shoshi Shaw Mike Quigley
Sara Stoloff Troy Stribling Amy Sumner Jim Sund Steve Sushinsky Sophia & Alyssa Swanson & Family Donna Swartzendruber Mark Swinerton Debby Sycamore Frank Tapy Corey Taylor RT Taylor Celia Taylor Courtney Taylor Chris Thomes Forrest Thornily Troy Tomsyck Wallace & Yvonne Toulette Jackson Turnacliff Carl Turner Dick Turner Valissa Tsouraris Leslie Twarogowski Gloria Valdez Jamie Wagner Clint Walker Mary Ann Welch Justine Wentworth Caron Wetter Anne Wheatley Melani Whitcraft Jennifer Whitlock Joshua Willett Trevor Williams Renee Williams Chris Williams Jeannie Willis Polly Wirtz Sue Wofford Jude Wolf Jalik Woods Marsha Woodward Tom Wordinger Thomas WorleyMorse Meghan Wren Ben Wright Ronald Wright Susan & Guy Wroble Ann Yates Nan Young Dick & Lorie Young Connie Zahn 2023 Graduating Class Denver Children’s Home
The Greater Park Hill News
January 2024
A sampling of current and former blockworkers, from left: Ben Wright, Luke Cincotta, Ann Long (former longtime blockworker coordinator extraordinaire), Everly Hildebrandt and Aubrea Argueta. File photos
Editor’s note
Ode To Blockworkers Volunteers Deliver The News Of The Neighborhood. You Too Can Become A Newspaper Superstar In 2024 By Cara DeGette Editor, GPHN
Here’s a puzzler to start off the year: Who is the most important person at a newspaper? I often pose this question to journalism students. Some say if it weren’t for reporters and writers, there’d be nothing to read. Others argue that photographers make those stories come alive. Editors pull the whole package together — surely they are the center of the universe. Cash-savvy students point out that advertisers hold the golden key. Their dough makes the whole operation possible. No doubt it is a stumper of a question. All of these components are critical. But to me, no one is more important than the person who delivers the paper to your doorstep each month. If it weren’t for that person, no one could read it. At the Greater Park Hill News, our delivery people are called blockworkers — these are the people who deliver the newspaper to your doorstep and your favorite local businesses every month. The blockworker program has been in place since the newspaper first began publishing, way back in 1960. Then, the Civil Rights Movement was gaining steam. Our neighborhood leaders were trying to figure out ways to halt redlining, promote integration, and make sure Park Hill was a place where everyone
is welcome. Having a newspaper was part of that democratic ideal — and one that continues in 2024. The concept of blockworkers — then, and now — is not just someone who delivers the paper. Sure, blockworkers bring the news of the community, but they also are emissaries, promoting a sense of neighborliness that Park Hill is known for. And, they are all volunteers. A current list of our on-the-job superstars is on the preceding page. Here’s how it works: Every month we make a newspaper. We fill it with news and feature stories, opinion columns, photographs, as well as advertisements from awesome businesses showcasing who they are and what they do. The issue is sent to the printer. A day or two later, the printer drops off stacks of the finished product to our office, at 2823 Fairfax St. A handful of volunteers then breaks the newspapers into smaller bundles. Those bundles are taken to businesses in and around Park Hill. Bundles are also dropped off to blockworkers all over the neighborhood. The blockworkers then take those newspapers and walk or wheel around their square block. They leave a newspaper on each doorstep for their neighbors — a morning or afternoon stroll that takes maybe 20 minutes every month. Currently 13,000 newspapers are distributed this way to homes and
From left, Margie Feinberg, Janet Shafer, Lynda Keavney, Emily Clark, Janice Phillips, Bernadette Kelly and newspaper Manager Brenda Morrison. Photo by Cara DeGette
businesses in and around the neighmost sections of Park Hill, east of borhood. Monaco Boulevard from Colfax to The system works pretty well, as 38th Avenue. But there are opportulong as every block has a volunteer. nities all over the neighborhood. But here is where things sometimes Now, here’s a novel idea: You do get tricky. not need to live on the block where Some blockworkers have been at it you live to be a blockworker. If you for years — even generations — and already receive the newspaper at every month the Greater Park Hill your house every month, you can News gets delivered like clockwork. sign up to deliver the paper to anHowever, delivery in some parts other block — one that isn’t already of the neighborhood has been less covered. reliable, particularly where there is a Check out the online map and higher turnover of people moving in consider the possibilities. And then and out. take the plunge: Resolve to make Late last year our newspaper 2024 the year you join the VIP list, manager, Brenda Morrison, develand be a champion for community oped an online interactive map to news. make it easy for people to identify parts of Park Hill that need blockworkers. Check it out, at gphndelivery.greaterparkhill.org. The map breaks the neighborhood into 16 geographic sections. Each shows where volunteer blockworkers are currently needed. A handy online form gets you started. At left, Janine Conklin; at right, Lauren MacMillan, with Right now, the highest her grandma Betty MacMillan. File photos needs are in the eastern7/12/23, 3:49 PM Ad2.jpg
#1 Charter School in Math #3 Charter School in English Langauge Arts
January 2024
The Greater Park Hill News
Page 13
At The Library
Birds of a Feather
Local Author/Illustrator Team Sarah Pedry and David Obuchowski Share The Story Of How Birds Sleep Was Hatched
The expression birds of a feather flock together means that people who are alike tend to do things together. I like to think that our monthly kids’ book celebrations bring together kids and families who like to read books. One way to celebrate books is to talk to those who create them. This month we are excited to offer a chance for our customers to talk to the Park Hill author and illustrator team, Sarah Pedry and David Obuchowski, who will present their picture book, How Birds Sleep. I had the opportunity to talk to Pedry and Obuchowski about how the book came about, and they happily shared their recollection of how the idea for the book was hatched. “My interest in birds started when I was at home with two young children,” Pedry said. It was hard to get out into the wilderness the way I used to, and I missed it. But when I started to focus on the nature that was close at hand, I realized just how much was going on right outside my door. Birds are always present here, and they bring different joys with every season.” That’s when, says Obuchowski, interest intersected with serendipity. “Sarah found an old, rather obscure academic book from the early ’80s in a used bookstore called Birds Asleep by a naturalist named Alexander Skutch. He spent years in the field, documenting his observations. Sarah was thrilled, and I think her first reaction to it was that the subject matter would be perfect for a children’s book.” Pedry recalls how, “The more I’d learned about birds, the more I wanted to know. I’d studied their names, calls, behavior, anything I could find. So, when I came upon Birds Asleep, there was a moment of shock: I couldn’t believe I had never thought about this aspect of their life before. I pictured the birds around
me just sitting quietly in a tree at night. But, was there more to it than that? The answer, of course, is that there is much more to it. And I knew this was information I had to share.” Obuchowski thinks this speaks to the power of books. “Birds Asleep became one of our major sources in terms of research,” he said. “But more than that, it’s such a clear example of the impact books can have. They not only entertain or teach, but they inspire, and they can create a whole life-changing domino effect, all from picking up a book you’d never even heard of.” All of us might find inspiration in books. But there’s plenty to be found simply by strolling Park Hill or looking out of our windows. As Obuchowski says, “In our own yard, we see hawks, crows, magpies, bluejays, robins, chickadees, flickers, goldfinches, sparrows, juncos, starlings, grackles, doves, wrens, towhees, nuthatches and probably even more. One of the things we really like to emphasize and hope to communicate in this book as well as others is that people can love and enjoy nature no matter where they are — even in the city.” Pedry and Obuchowski’s curiosity and hard work have paid off with recognition by several organizations. The School Library Journal identified How Birds Sleep as one of the best nonfiction titles for elementary grades and The National Science Teaching Association has named it one of the Outstanding Science Trade Books of 2023 for young readers. The authors will present the book at the January Kids Book Celebration at the Park Hill branch on Thursday, Jan. 18 at 4 p.m. We will also have some fun bird-related activities. Copies of the book will be raffled off at this event to 12 lucky attendees. Pedry and Obuchowski will be happy to sign books at the end of the event.
I’ve got you covered in Park Hill.
Park Hill author and illustrator team Sarah Pedry and David Obuchowski. Photo courtesy of Dawn Mendel
January Programs Park Hill Branch
Baby Storytime | Thursdays 10:15-10:45 a.m. (Note new earlier start time)
Stories, songs, rhymes and fun for babies ages 0-18 months and their parents or caregivers. Toddler Storytime | Fridays 10:1510:45 a.m.
Stories, songs, rhymes and fun for toddlers ages 18-36 months and their parents or caregivers. Teen Advisory Board | Every other Tuesday 4:30-5:30 p.m. Writing Circle | Thursdays 1:30-3:30 p.m.
Group-led adult writing group.
No Strings Attached Book Chat | Saturday, Jan. 6, 11 a.m.-12:30 p.m.
Read whatever you want, attend whenever you can.
Kids Book Celebration | Thursday, Jan. 18, 4-5 p.m.
See How Birds Sleep interview with the authors at left. Death Cafe | Monday, Jan. 22, 2-3:30 p.m.
Death Café is an international movement that invites people to gather, normalize conversations around death, to make the most of LIFE. This is not a grief support group or counseling session. Respect for all views is a priority.
Tea Time Travel Tales | Wednesday, Jan. 24, 11 a.m.-12:30 p.m.
Listen to neighbors travel tales while sipping tea and having a nosh.
Pauline Robinson Branch Pauline Robinson is offering limited services at the Hiawatha Davis Jr. Recreation Center while the library building is under renovation. Visit us at the recreation center, at 3334 Holly St., Monday through Thursday, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Services provided include: • Internet access with Chromebooks • Printing and copying documents • A cart of free books and DVDs for you to browse • Digital navigator appointments on Tuesdays from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. • Bookmobile visits on Wednesdays from 1-2:30 p.m. • Community Resource Navigator on Thursdays from 10-11 a.m. Greater Park Hill has two public libraries: The Park Hill branch library is at 4705 Montview Blvd. For hours of operation and additional upcoming programs, visit denverlibrary. org/events/upcoming, and select the facility you are planning to visit. The Pauline Robinson branch library is at 5575 E. 33rd Ave. It is currently closed for renovations. See listings above for current location and library services. All Denver Public Library Branches will be closed on Monday, Jan. 1 and Monday, Jan. 15 due to holidays.
MERMAN
CHRIS
By Dawn Mendel Park Hill Branch Librarian
Your neighbor with vast experience buying & selling historic Park Hill properties. Simply scan the QR code and receive a FREE home value analysis!
303.358.4294 cmerman@livsothebysrealty.com chrismerman.com Page 14
The Greater Park Hill News
January 2024
Open Book | opinion
New Year, New Me My Wildest Hopes And Plans For 2024 By Anya Nitczynski For the GPHN
One of my very first memories is from the Fourth of July when I was probably around four years old. I remember asking my mom when the Park Hill Parade was going to start and her telling me in an hour. I didn’t really know what or how long an hour was, and once the parade finally started, I decided an hour was an absolute eternity. For years afterwards I truly believed it. Since getting older, hours don’t feel quite as Fran, long to me and months call me. pass in what feels like split-seconds. A year, though, still feels somewhat gargantuan to me. At my age, so much can change in a 12-month span that I feel like an entirely new person every January. And so, here we are: 2024. Like every new year, it feels like I’m looking out a wide open window of endless opportunities. Here are a few of my wildest hopes and dreams for the year ahead. 1. It’s a Big Election Year! Even though November is going to be nerve-wracking, I’m excited for the general incitement of political discussion that is guaranteed by election season. When politics are on everyone’s minds, our worldviews expand beyond just who will win the presidency. Valuable conversations about worldwide problems become common. While I’m still too young to vote, some of
my friends can and I will certainly be bothering them about it until I know for a fact they got their ballots in and made their voices heard. 2. The author Fran Lebowitz and I have a two-year streak going of meeting every year, and I certainly don’t intend to break it. Fran, call me. 3. As far as the cultivation of creativity and art goes, last year was encouraging for me. I can’t pinpoint a specific reason why, but 2023 felt like most of the people around me were more excited to be alive and conscientious and able to create than in years past. I hope this continues. No matter the medium or subject matter, we are lucky to be in the here and now, creating art we care about. I’m not talking painting the Mona Lisa or composing a symphony — for me it’s things as simple as catching up on all the classic movies I hadn’t watched yet. Or catching Dr. Strangelove for the first time on the big screen. The point is to listen to music and read books and go on hikes and take in as much humanity as you can. 4. The last hope I have for 2024 is less abstract and also less realistic. It’s to finally clean out my junk drawer. Anya Nitczynski is a junior at Denver School of the Arts. Her column appears monthly.
Gardens And Verses
January Tips “Anyone who thinks that gardening begins in the spring and ends in the fall is missing the best part of the whole year; for gardening begins in January with the dream.” — Josephine Neuse
Digs Trees, sign up this month at theparkpeople.com so you will receive notice in time to apply. Northeast Park Hill is a target area for lower canopy, $10 trees.
This year’s Park Hill Garden Walk • Recycle/compost your Christmas is set for June 9. To volunteer or tree and greens. Save wreath forms suggest local gardens or artists that to make your own next year, or could be featured, please contact give to those who will use them. Patty Mead at prmead416@gmail. • Brush heavy snow off shrubs and com or Carla Finch at carla.j.finch@ conifers to protect them from limb gmail.com. breakage. • Late in the month, prune evergreen shrubs (yew, holly, and boxwoods) and evergreen trees (spruce, fir) when they are still dormant and before new growth begins. • If soil is workable and dry, then deep water when the daytime temperature will remain above 45 degrees for several hours. Water slowly so that it soaks 8–12 inches into the soil. • Plan your garden and shop for new seeds and plants. • Repot houseplants that have outgrown their pots. • Continue to fill your bird feeders. The birds need nourishment to get through the winter. Consider a heater for your birdbath. Berberis repens • If you want a tree from Denver in winter, by Micki Amick January 2024
The Greater Park Hill News
Your Neighborhood Market
Fresh. healthy. Delicious.
Gelato Bar • oven-FireD Pizza • seafooD and meat counters • Wine ooDles oF Grab ‘n Go • Desserts • aisles oF sPecialty proDucts
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7059 E. Lowry Blvd. Page 15
GPHC Command Central
Calendar Reset
2024 Will Be A Whirlwind. Come Join The Fun By Lori Midson Executive Director, GPHC, Inc.
One of our emergency food pantry volunteers sent in a proper holiday letter and handmade card that detailed her 365 days of 2023 in six succinct, often hilarious, paragraphs. The first line of the first paragraph went like this: “A display of ego, bragging, a way to touch base? Is anyone even remotely interested in what I’ve done this year? Maybe not, but for me, it’s a way to recap and ponder my year.” What she said. This is where I brag about Greater Park Hill Community, Inc. (GPHC) and the work we do to build and engage our community. It’s also where I encourage you to become a member, volunteer, donate food and funds, attend our community meetings and events, support the Greater Park Hill News and celebrate our victories, big and small. Here are reasons why you should join us as a valued member: • GPHC is Park Hill’s Registered Neighborhood Organization with a 50-year-plus history as an effec-
tive neighborhood advocate passionately invested in fostering the Greater Park Hill community. • We host numerous communitybuilding events each year, including the Park Hill Home Tour & Street Fair, Fourth of July Parade, Park Hill Garden Walk, Park Hill Yard Sale and Park Hill Community Fall Festival. • We identify challenges and interests in our neighborhood and work alongside residents and city leaders to facilitate input. • We operate five no-cost food programs, including an all-volunteerrun food pantry. Our food pantry visits in 2023 increased by more than 400 percent over 2022. We distributed upwards of 40,000 pounds of food and 39,000 meals to more than 4,300 in-need individuals and families. • We grow a community garden, and share the bounty at our seasonal farm stand. We also distribute seeds and seedlings every spring so neighbors can grow their own gardens. • We spend every November filling
Food Pantry Needs We accept donations between 9:30 a.m. and 3:30 p.m. on Mondays and Wednesdays and between noon and 5 p.m. on Tuesdays. Our office is 2823 Fairfax St. We also accept donations by appointment. If you’d like to schedule a donation outside of our office hours, please send an email to director@greaterparkhill.org, or call 303-388-0918. If you’re at the grocery store, please consider donating a few items from the list below. • Canned fish, chicken and Spam • Pasta sauce • Canned chili and hearty soups and stews • Canned refried, pinto, navy and kidney beans • Canned pineapple and peaches • Canned vegetables • Shelf-stable pasta and rice dinners
• Salt, pepper and jarred spices • Instant coffee • Bagged coffee • Tomato paste and tomato sauce • Canned salsas, chipotle peppers and chilies • Cereal plus pancake, corn bread and biscuit mixes • Milk, butter, cheese and eggs • Chicken thighs and drumsticks • Apples, oranges and bananas • Toilet paper, paper towels and Kleenex • Travel-size toiletries • Gloves and socks • Reusable shopping bags Please be mindful of food expiration dates. Out of respect for our pantry families, we will not accept expired food items. And please do not leave donations outside our office door. Thank you for abiding by these guidelines.
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more than 500 boxes with Thanksgiving essentials to ensure that our own pantry families, Park Hill Elementary School students and low-income seniors have a proper Thanksgiving dinner. • We have an aging building that we love, but it’s always in need of TLC: paint, masonry work, new carpeting, additional shelving and bookcases, tables and chairs. • We publish the award-winning Greater Park Hill News, which is expensive to print and distributed for free to more than 13,000 residents and businesses in and around Park Hill. This critical neighborhood resource is bundled and delivered by volunteers. • We provide community outreach via our monthly electronic newsletter, which includes advance notice of upcoming events, news and announcements, community meeting updates and more. • We host monthly community meetings at our office on the first Thursday of most months that feature presentations by commu-
nity residents and leaders on topics from construction updates and traffic concerns to crime and safety initiatives and land preservation. • We are fierce advocates of sustainability practices and strive for a healthier planet. We offer a directory on our website with tips for reducing waste, as well as resources for responsibly disposing of many household items. We also hold several neighborhood cleanups throughout the year. And our building is now 100 percent solar powered! We’re gearing up for another tremendously busy and productive year — but we need your voice and participation along the way. Please consider becoming a GPHC member if you haven’t already. I hope 2024 brings optimism, peace, spontaneity, happiness and joy. And thank you for being a part of ours. Happy New Year! Thank you, as always, to our donors and volunteers for your kindness, in-kind and financial contributions, involvement and dedication to GPHC. You are appreciated.
GPHC donors and volunteers Businesses, Chruches and Duane and Jean Gall Jennifer Dyer Groups
Nina and Mark Kuhl Allison Nuanes Laura Olson Cameron Emmons Blessed Sacrament Catholic Glenna O’Neal Steve Farley Church Sally O Ortiz Ben Fiedler Cake Crumbs Bakery and Denison Penney Anne & Joe Frank Cafe Phillip and Teresa Campbell Marian Frank Callie’s Cannibis Shop Julia Pigford Joel Fresquez Ceremony Barber Shop Isaac Pike Florence Garbini City and County of Denver Louis Plachowski and Bridget Georgia and Woody Garnsey Curtis Park Deli Walsh Celine Garrett Dahlia Campus Farms and Polly Wirtz and Gary Klein Brian Gersen Gardens Erika Power Bobbi Gillis Food Bank of the Rockies Samantha Lehni Reeves Messiah Community Church Josh Gipper Richard and Ilona Horwitz Amy Golden Mayfair Liquors Gloria Richardson Lisa Haddox Mobile Mini Steven and Joan Ringel Linda & charles Hamlin Montview Boulevard Emily Roet Amy Harris Presbyterian Church Mary Salsich Janet Hazlett Montview Community Maria Sandoval Liz & Jim Heatwole Preschool Nancy Schoyer Natalie Hengel Palmer Elementary School Heather Selph Team Hetterich Park Hill Branch Library Betsy Shields Adrienne Hill Park Hill Congregational Heather Shockey Heidi Hine UCC Beverly and Peter Skram Park HIll Elementary School Ann Torgerson Kait Speth Bob Homiak and Susan Park Hill United Church of Shannon Spezialy Schneider Christ Mary Jo Starmer Teresa Hyland Park Hill United Methodist Christopher Stewart Jessica and Jeff Pearson Church Kevin & Kristin Thomas Pediatric Nutrition Lab at CU Joncee and Glen Feakes Suzanne Thomsen Pat Joyce Medical Center Wendi Torres Bill Juraschek Starbucks Shaylisa Turner Blair Knicely St. Thomas Episcopal Warren Volz Sara Labadie Church Jane Wainwright The Blackbaud Giving Fund Lana and James Cordes Rachel Weinberg Ann Lee Nicole Wiederaenders Individuals and Families Troy and Jessica Lerner Linda Will Sharon and Joe Little Jessica Avery Anastasia Williamson Mary Jo Lorenz Penny Ashley-Lawrence Sue Wofford Natalie and Patrick Love Nichole Barnes Judy Wolfe Mark & Debra Lovel Cathy Bauchwitz Kaitlin Wolff Ben Sachs and Debra Knapp Ben Lusz Beth Wright Tracey Macdermott Holly Bennett and John John Wyszynski MacKenzie Hardt Lebsack Nan Young Jason Manegold Beth and Jim McBride Connie Zahn Bonnie Martin Simon Blamires Debbie Zucker and Brian Matthew and Elizabeth Jennifer Calderone Field Spohn Inga Calvin Food Programs Volunteers Kathleen Mayer Amy Campbell Beth Jim McBride Sara Carlson David Addor Christina McKasy Elizabeth Case Bruce Campbell Randy & Babette McQueen Emily Clark Christine and Daniel Allen Chris Merman Chuck and Becky Morris Linda Davis Dani Meyers Keith Combs Larea Edwards Patti Monheit Charlie & Jean Curlee Claudia Fields Harriet Mullaney David and Patty Roush Carol Flank Christina Naff Abigail Dice Amber Goodall Nancy Brauer and Jeffrey Marie Dienhart Betsy Post Kent Anonymous Donors Mark Pressey Nancy Connick and Diane Carolyn Dooling Deb Rosenbaum Jankowski Carole Robertson Martha and Bruce Douglas Heather Selph Chris and Erin Nielsen Nancy Downs
The Greater Park Hill News
January 2024
Bugland | Mark Silverstein
Who We Are, What We Do The Board of Directors of GPHC, Inc.
Year Of The Dragon Fly
OK, it is actually the Chinese Year of the Dragon (no fly). But that got us to thinking: Dragonflies looks nothing like dragons, so why do they have that name? The answer is steeped in Romanian folklore and the story of St. George. According to legend, St. George wounded a dragon. Enraged, the Devil turned St. George’s horse into a giant flying insect. The Romanian word drac means both “Devil” and “dragon,” and so the insect became a dragonfly. This Band-winged Meadowhawk dragonfly was photographed at Bluff Lake by Mark Silverstein.
Greater Park Hill Community, Inc., is a volunteer-based registered neighborhood organization that promotes the character and vibrancy of Park Hill, provides resources, information and advocacy, and preserves quality of life and the history of the neighborhood through community participation. If you have an issue you’d like to discuss about the neighborhood, reach out to your board representative (listed at right). Unless indicated, representatives can be contacted via the main office, at 303-388-0918 or info@greaterparkhill.org. GPHC world headquarters is 2823 Fairfax St. If you are interested in volunteering or serving on a committee, contact current GPHC Board Chair Shane Sutherland at chair@greaterparkhill.org.
• Board Chair Shane Sutherland • Secretary Bernadette Kelly • Treasurer Heather Shockey • District 1 Amy Harris • District 2 Brenda Morrison • District 3 Heather Shockey • District 4 Currently vacant • District 5 Sophie Milam • District 6 Phebe Lassiter • District 7 Jon Bowman • District 8 Nam Henderson • District 9 Doug Schuler • District 10 Colette Carey • At Large Maria Flora • At Large Shanta Harrison • At Large Tracey MacDermott • At Large Laurel Mohr • At Large Louis Plachowski: lplachowski@gmail.com • At-Large Leslie Twarogowski • Youth Chair Rick Medrick • Blessed Sacrament James Groves • Park Hill UMC Jacqui Shumway
Park Hill Vet
Commit To Your Kitty Resolve For A Healthier Cat In 2024 By Margot Vahrenwald, DVM For the GPHN
2023 is the Year of Dragon in the Chinese calendar, but I challenge pet owners to make it the Year of the Cat. And, more specifically, make it the year that you commit to your kitty or kitties getting regular veterinary care. Why? Because veterinary studies continue to show a decline in cats receiving preventive care, such as annual nose-to-tail physical examinations, screening for infectious diseases and regular preventive diagnostic screening Cats … are for changes indicative of loss of kidney masters function and more. of hiding For many years symptoms and and worsened by the compensating pandemic, we have until they just been seeing sicker can’t. feline patients at
presentation, owners noting duration of changes in weeks and months rather than days, often giving us less options for supportive care and treatment. Additionally, we see rising rates of feline diabetes and an increase in severity of dental disease, often leading to more extractions to resolve the pain and infection in those patients’ mouths. All cats, including indoor kitties, need regular veterinary care. Being an indoor cat protects against many of the killer risks of being outdoors, but it does not mean that your cat cannot or will not get sick from a variety of causes. An indoor cat has the same risk for developing several infectious diseases or cancer as an outdoor cat and has a much higher risk for the development of diseases associated with obesity such as diabetes. January 2024
Preventive care means having your feline friend or friends get at least an annual veterinary check-up and, if older than 10 years, twice yearly. Cats, despite cushy indoors lives, are masters of hiding symptoms and compensating until they just can’t – so often by the time we notice changes at home, they have been ill for a while. Regular examinations allow the detection of changes much earlier. That allows more treatment options, including many that are significantly less costly than when the pet is really ill and may need aggressive care or even emergency treatment. Yes, sometimes getting to the vet with a recalcitrant cat is a challenge, but you can do it. Your veterinarian can give some help in the best way to load up to come to the clinic or hospital and provide calming previsit medications. And, for the really stressed cat, a house call vet can come to your home for an examination and early detection blood work. Lastly, all cats need vaccinations – municipal laws in every city and state require all cats to be vaccinated and regularly reboostered against rabies. Other vaccinations should be tailored to each cat’s risks and lifestyle to help maintain appropriate immune protection. So get that furry dragon, um, ur, cat scheduled for their preventive care examination today. You will have a happier, healthier companion this year and into the future.
The Greater Park Hill News
The challenges facing today’s retirees are unique. Higher inflation, skyrocketing healthcare costs, longer life expectancies, and complex Social Security rules all make much of the conventional retirement wisdom of the past obsolete. In this new era, it’s crucial that you take a fresh look at the challenges ahead and create a comprehensive plan to address them. For 30 years, we’ve been working with people like you to address the challenges of the transition from accumulating their nest egg to using it to support their retirement lifestyle. Get in touch today to schedule a complimentary consultation.
Dr. Margot Vahrenwald is the owner of Park Hill Veterinary Medical Center at 2255 Oneida St. For more information, visit www.parkhillvet.com. Page 17
Greater Park Hill Resources Active Minds
The organization’s mission is to expand lives and minds by providing outstanding educational programs. Check out free lectures on topics ranging from music to history, current events to foreign affairs, including in and near Park Hill. A complete schedule of upcoming events is at activeminds.com
Art Garage
A
EXPERIENCE
FOR
Latest Trends • Amazing Stylists • Fun Vibe Personalized Styles • Convenient Location
6100 E. 23rd Ave., artgaragedenver.com, 303-377-2353. The Art Garage is a nonprofit visual art community center whose mission is to offer arts-based programs that inspire, empower and promote creative self-expression by people of all ages, backgrounds, and ability levels. Check out ArtGarageDenver. com for details.
Call: 720-408-9361 Follow: @TheKnottyKids Book: TheKnottyKidsSalon.com Visit: 2848 Fairfax St, Denver (Park Hill Commons near Sexy Pizza)
Blunders and Beers
Blunders and Beers is a Park Hill Chess Club that meets the second and fourth Wednesdays of each month at Longtable Brewhouse, 2895 Fairfax St., beginning at 6 p.m. All skill levels are welcome. Bring a board if you have one.
Are you interested in genealogy? Your family history? American history? The Frances Wisebart Jacobs Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution meets regularly in the area. Contact Kathy Kelly at kkellyfwj76@gmail.com for details. 3921 Holly St., 2.Dist@denvergov.org, non-emergency number is 720-913-1000. For emergencies, dial 9-1-1.
Judy Wolfe, 1977
Licensed General Contractor
303.324.6250 • kujawaconstruction.com Page 18
A community choral group that performs music from diverse cultures and traditions, and nurturing the musical abilities of all who wish to sing. Rehearsals every Thursday at 7 p.m. at St. Thomas Church, 22nd and Dexter. Email Sandy at owsmanager@yahoo.com or go to OneWorldSingers.org for more information.
Park Hill Community Bookstore
Established in 1971. Denver’s oldest nonprofit bookstore. Used and new books. 4620 E. 23rd Avenue. 303-355-8508. Members and volunteers get discounts and book credits. Check parkhillbookstore.org for current hours of operation.
A recreational group of road cyclists that roll from Park Hill once or twice a week. Check the current status of their rides on the Park Hill Peloton Facebook page.
Denver Public Schools
dpsk12.org Check the website for resources and updates. Call the helpline at 720-423-3054 for support in many languages.
Sie Filmcenter
2510 E. Colfax, denverfilm.org, 303-595-3456.
greaterparkhill.org/faith Greater Park Hill’s faith community, home to over 30 places of worship in just four square miles, is as diverse and robust as the neighborhood itself. The GPHN maintains a list of Park Hill’s places of worship at the website above. Contact individual places of worship for information about their current state of operations.
Greater Park Hill Community, Inc.
2823 Fairfax St., greaterparkhill. org, 303-388-0918 GPHC neighborhood association community meetings are conducted
Serving Park Hill and saving marriages since 1979.
One World Singers
Park Hill Peloton
Faith Community
Jay Epperson, Realtor® 303.886.6606 jay.epperson@compass.com
denverlibrary.org See the “At the Library” feature on page 14 for updates and resources offered by the Park Hill and Pauline Robinson branch libraries. The Northeast Park Hill Coalition hosts its monthly meeting the second Thursdays of the month. Location varies. Check the group’s Facebook page @ Northeast Park Hill Coalition for updates.
Denver Police District 2
Thank you, Judy Wolfe for your remarkable 40+ year journey of guiding families home in Park Hill!
Libraries
Northeast Park Hill Coalition
Daughters of the American Revolution
Book Today!
virtually and in person on the first Thursday of the month, except for December and July. The next meeting is Thursday, Jan. 4 at 6:30 p.m. at 2823 Fairfax St. Check greaterparkhill.org/join-us/community-meetings/ for information on how to participate. The February meeting is Feb. 1.
Free Zoom Tai Chi
Free morning beginner Tai Chi classes on Zoom every Friday at 10 a.m. and Wednesday at 6 p.m. Register at taichidenver.com/beginnertai-chi-zoom-class/. Longtime Park Hillians Jacqui and Joe, who teach the class, will send you the link to join.
Walk2Connect
www.walk2connect.com Park Hill Sunrise Walking Trips happen every Tuesday from 7:15 a.m. to 8:15 a.m. Meet in front of Honey Hill Cafe at 23rd & Dexter Street for a casual, conversational-paced community walk. Everyone is welcome.
Submit your neighborhood events and resources to editor@greaterparkhill.org Deadlines are the 15th of the month, for the following month’s issue.
MAYFAIR VISION CLINIC
Adult and Children’s Vision • Complete Visual, Eye Health and Glaucoma Testing • All Types of Contact Lenses • Frames with One Year Guarantee • Most Insurances Accepted • Free Adjustments and Minor Frame Repair • 15% Discount for Senior Citizens
Dr. Janice I. Jarret 1336 Leyden
Across from Safeway
303.333.9898
The Greater Park Hill News
January 2024
2/22/23, 11:19 AM
GPHN Classifieds ELECTRICIAN 1-Turn Electrical Contractor, Senior discount; bonded and insured. Jason, 720-275-8299
GUTTERS
Gutter Cleaning, repairs, and replacement. Gutter Cleaning prices start at $150 – House, Garage, Porches, and walks. 303-907-9223/skmehaffey@gmail.com
MASONRY SERVICES
Masonry Services- Brick, Stone, Concrete repairs, restoration, tuckpointing, chimneys, retaining walls, city sidewalks; planter boxes. 303-907-9223/ skmehaffey@gmail.com
PAINTING
PREMIER PAINT WORKS since 1993. Denver’s Residential Paint Specialists. Int/Ext Neat, conscientious craftsmanship by polite, respectful, honest & fully insured crew, impeccable references. Call or text John at 720-849-3921. Interior and exterior painting. Prep, power washing, professional. Owned and operated by Park Hill resident with over 20 years of experience. Free estimate. JR Painting 720-485-7207 or jpabz04@gmail.com Painting: Interior, exterior, small jobs welcome; sheetrock repairs and texture. 303-907-9223/ skmehaffey@ gmail.com
PLASTER REPAIR
THE WALL REBUILDERS Interior plaster (and drywall) repair. We repair cracks, holes, crumbling walls, etc. Specializing in older homes, though
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we fix houses of every age. Dan and Laura Pino 303-698-1057
ROOFING
Roofing: Repairs, Inspections, Flashings, Hail Damage, and reroofing licensed, bonded, and insured. Gutter replacement and cleaning. 303-9079223/ skmehaffey@gmail.com
SKI & SNOWBOARD CARE
www.centralparkskiboardtuning. com Ski and snowboard waxing and tuning. Free pickup and delivery to residence. Visit website or text Brett 303-929-7294
OpEn EvEry DAy At 7Am Wine and local beers • Happy Hour daily
Full indoor and patio seating available.
TREE TRIMMING
Tree trimming and trash removal. General yard work and clean up. Gutter cleaning. Please call 303-429-0380
TUCKPOINTING
Over 25 years of experience. Fully insured. Mortar color and brick matching, broken brick replacement, cement chimney crown replacement. 12 years Chicago union experience. Mr. Chimney and Home Masonry Repair. Call Chuck Bahnsen 303-9487999
WINDOWS
Double-hung window RESTORATION includes replacing sash cords (ropes) and removal of excess paint on wood and metal plus lubrication for smooth opening and closing. 40-year resident of PH. Contact David - 720550-2786 Window and Gutter Cleaning. Call Bob at Twin Pines Window Cleaning, 303 329 8205
4628 E 23rd Ave, Denver CO 80207 www.honeyhillcafe.com • 720 242 6048 https://mail.google.com/mail/u/0/?tab=km#inbox/FMfcgzGrcjRLtQCNCxRhfgnJcvtMHPFB?projector=1&messagePartId=0.1
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JR Painting & Remodeling 720-485-7207 jpabz04@gmail.com
12/5/23, 1:23 PM
Interior & exterior painting • Paint preparation and powerwashing • Complete bathroom & kitchen remodels • Ceramic tile and laminate flooring installation.
Owned and operated by Park Hill resident with over 20 years experience. Free estimate. Senior citizen and veteran discount.
5x1.75PHJan2020.jpg
To advertise in the Classifieds contact newspaper@greaterparkhill.org 720-287-0442 (voicemail). the deadline for submission is the 15th of every month
Twenty years of experience working with Denver’s classic homes Numerous Park Hill references Design and Renovation Specialists
720-338-0748
www.CitySideRemodeling.com
HOUSE CLEANING
Providing 25 years of personalized cleaning service in Central Park & Park Hill
Deep & Detail-Oriented Cleaning • Offices/Homes/ Apartments/Airbnb • Move-in/Move-out • Eco-Friendly Cleaning Products (upon request) • Magnificent References
Paulina Leon 720-628-6690
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Bringing Color to Park Hill
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December - March 2024 Scan for more information.
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The Greater Park Hill News
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We’re Getting Busy, Call Today!
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On the Market 1815 Dahlia St.
$775,000 On the Market
201 Zephyr Way Unit #2308, Winter Park
$634,900
UnDer COntraCt 738 S. Grape St.
$679,950 ClOSeD 2118 eliot St.
$1,254,000 with over 45 years in Denver real estate, we’re here to help you navigate this ever-evolving market.
Keith Combs 720-218-9614 Jaden Combs 303-324-1437 www.Combssellhomes.Com
Thanks, Denver! Recycling is up. New services in Denver make it easy for you to reduce what goes to the landfill and protect the environment with weekly recycling. Go online now to learn more about Expanded Waste Services and how we can be Better Together.
4.1312 in
Questions? Scan the QR code for more information, including details about income-based rebates, and managing your account. denvergov.org/bettertogether | Call 311 (720) 913-1311
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The Greater Park Hill News
January 2024