Life on Capitol Hill July 2022

July 2022

LifeOnCapHill.com

PIPING, DRUMMING, DANCING

Colorado Youth Pipe Band teaches music talent, life skills

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THE HEART AND SOUL OF DENVER’S FILM CULTURE SieFilm Center welcomes people back to the movies

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PLETHODON EMERGES Meow Wolf, Denver Botanic Gardens partner to create a sculpture garden at Convergence Station

CHANGING THE NARRATIVE American Indian College Fund works to close disparity in college attainment among Native youth

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2 Life on Capitol Hill

July 1, 2022

BUSINESS MATTERS Business Matters is a monthly column featuring business news in the Life on Capitol Hill and Washington Park Profile coverage areas, which is roughly central and centralsouth Denver.

If you are a local business that would like to announce any updates to your operations, email Christy Steadman at csteadman@ coloradocommunitymedia.com.

Closings

Milestones

Annie’s Cafe & Bar Annie’s Cafe & Bar, 3100 E. Colfax Ave., closed on June 26 after serving the community for 41 years.

A post on the restaurant’s Facebook states that the Spice Room Neighborhood Indian Bistro is expected to open in the space in September. The Spice Room currently has a location at 3157 W. 38th Ave. in Denver’s Berkeley neighborhood.

To learn more about the Spice Room, visit denverspiceroom.com.

Off The Bottle Refill Shop Off the Bottle Refill Shop, 220 E. 13th Ave. in Denver’s Capitol Hill neighborhood, celebrated its one-year anniversary in June.

“Over the past year, it’s been lovely to reconnect with the Capitol Hill neighborhood and community,” said David Rouse, who co-owns the shop with Daniel Landes. Rouse added he has spent most of his life in Denver, but had been living in Mex- ico for nearly a decade with a short stint in San Diego. “It’s also fantastic to meet new people who are passionate about making a difference in this messy world.”

Off The Bottle offers a refill station where consumers can bring their own containers and refill them with household essentials such as laundry detergent, allpurpose cleaners and face and body care.

The shop also carries a selection of ecofriendly and sustainable household products, and reusable household supplies.

The shop recently introduced its new products for the summer season, and launched its online store with all shipping being done with repurposed packing materials. Additionally, Off the Bottle is making plans for bicycle pickup and delivery service in Capitol Hill and nearby neighborhoods, and bulk refill and bottle rotation service for short-term rentals.

“I think our guests really value the option to shop with their own containers, creating little to no trash in the process,” Rouse said. “I even recognize certain containers that come in often to be refilled.

I know exactly what and how much is going to go in them. They develop their own little lives and personalities. Makes shopping more fun.”

To learn more about Off The Bottle, visit offthebottlerefills.com.

New openings New Americana Home A new home furnishings shop has opened in Washington Park. New Americana Home is located at 1939 E. Kentucky Ave. Owner Holly Kuhn, author of the book, “New Americana: Interior Décor with an Artful Blend of Old and New,” owned Old Glory Antiques in Platt Park for about 15 years. It closed in April 2020.

“I missed the business, so I decided to give it another go,” Kuhn said, adding she is looking forward to reconnecting with her customers.

New Americana Home features furniture — both antiques and modern for any design style — and home décor items such as artwork, lamps, vases, new and vintage rugs and much more.

Kuhn’s book will also be available to purchase at the store, and she is always happy to help customers with selection and other home décor questions.

To learn more about New Americana Home, visit newamericanahome.com or follow it on Instagram.

Studholme Chiropractic A Platt Park resident of more than 17 years recently moved his business, Studholme Chiropractic, to the area.

Dr. Nick Studholme, D.C., opened Studholme Chiropractic in Niwot in 2000, and moved to Denver after meeting his wife, who lived in Denver.

“We felt like this space was right for us,” Studholme said of the facility at 1600 S. Broadway, which he opened in April. “We really love the neighborhood.”

SEE NEW OPENINGS, P3

Sexy Pizza is closing its Capitol Hill location at 1018 E. 11th Ave. because the landlord has refused to renew the lease, according to a June article by Denverite.

According to Denverite, Sexy Pizza is looking to secure a new spot in central Denver, but until a location is secured, it will operate out of a ghost kitchen in Denver’s Lincoln Park neighborhood.

Sexy Pizza’s website states that the Capitol Hill location was the pizza chain’s first, opening in 2008. Through the years, the pizzeria has expanded to three other Denver locations: 1579 S. Pearl St. in Platt Park, 2460 Eliot St. in Jefferson Park and 2846 Fairfax St. in North Park Hill. Sexy Pizza also has a location in Trinidad.

Sexy Pizza has a commitment to civic and community engagement, its website states.

“Our unwavering commitment to philanthropy and the arts has strengthened our relationship with the communities in which we operate and our reputation as a force for good in the state of Colorado,” states its website.

To learn more about Sexy Pizza, visit its website at https:// sexy.pizza.

Bonnie Brae Tavern The Bonnie Brae Tavern, 740 S. University Blvd., had its last day of service in late June — the same month the establishment celebrated its 88th anniversary.

A neighborhood establishment for drinks and food, the Bonnie Brae Tavern offered its patrons a little of everything from wings, salads, sandwiches and burgers, to pizza, spaghetti, chile rellenos and smothered burritos.

Westword reported that in 2019, a certificate of non-historic designation was issued for the building, and that an apartment building may be in the future for the property.

Etc. Eatery Etc. Eatery, 1472 S. Pearl St. has closed in Platt Park.

The comfort food restaurant opened in summer 2020.

“Apparently, opening a restaurant during a pandemic proved to be more difficult than we had anticipated,” reads a message on the restaurant’s website. “We hope to be back in some manner soon.”

The message adds to follow @Etc.Eatery.

Denver on Instagram for updates.

Tí Café Tí Café, 30 N. Broadway which borders Denver’s Speer and Baker neighborhoods, celebrated its one-year anniversary in June.

The coffee shop is owned and operated by three sisters — Sashaline, Shominic and Shasitie Nguyen.

“It’s been great serving the Denver community,” the sisters said in an email. “Everyone is very supportive and genuinely interested in learning about our culture SEE MILESTONES, P3

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A group consisting of individuals with the Curtis Park Neighbors Registered Neighborhood Organization and Denver Parks and Recreation have their picture taken in May at the new pollinator garden at Sonny Lawson Park in Denver. The pollinator garden was part of a larger park improvement project that includes repairing the park’s irrigation system and construction of a new restroom.

A ribbon cutting event for the pollinator garden took place on June 3 to coincide with the First Friday Free Jazz Concert.

PHOTO COURTESY OF CURTIS PARK NEIGHBORS

Life on Capitol Hill 3

July 1, 2022

Miscellaneous Country Financial/Denver Fire Department Country Financial has honored the Denver Fire Department with an Operation Helping Heroes award and a $1,500 donation to Denver Fire Station 22, 3530 S. Monaco St., to purchase gear and equipment.

“We truly see how dedicated and hardworking these men and women are and what they do every day to help our community,” said Tera Hodson, an insurance agent with Country Financial, in a news release.

Country Financial is a group of U.S. insurance and financial services companies that offers a full range of financial products and services from auto, home, business, farm and life insurance to retirement planning services, investment management and annuities.

The Operation Helping Heroes program was created in 2015 to support nonprofit events and programs that benefit active-duty service members, veterans and their families. The program was later expanded to include first responders and teachers.

To learn more about Country Financial, visit countryfinancial.com.

Popongo/Denver Broncos The local creators of the Popongo game and the Denver Broncos have entered into a multi-year partnership.

Popongo is a family-friendly game that requires players to toss foam golf balls into cups on a raised platform for points. Jamaican-born Denver resident Errol Anderson, who serves as the company’s CEO, created the game during the early stages of the COVID-19 shutdowns. It launched in December 2020.

Each Popongo game board is one-of-a-kind, handcrafted in the Popongo facility in Denver’s Park Hill neighborhood.

Through the partnership, the Popongo and the Denver Broncos entertainment teams will offer interactive gaming areas for fans to play Popongo during the Broncos’ 2022 Training Camp and in the VIP tailgating areas at every home game.

Additionally, fans can order a Broncos edition Popongo board, which features orange and blue cups and balls.

“The fact that one of the most well-known organizations in the world has chosen to work with our team not only speaks volumes about us as a company, but also what Popongo represents to the community,” Anderson said in a news release. “With the help of the Broncos, we plan on furthering our mission to get more Popongo boards into more elementary schools to help math classes for young students be more fun and engaging.”

To learn more about Popongo, visit playpopongo.com.

MILESTONES FROM PAGE 2

ON THE COVER

and the products we have to offer.”

Tí Café specializes in Vietnamese coffee, which is brewed “using the phin slow drip method,” the sisters said in the email. Additionally, the coffee shop uses robusta beans, which have a “higher caffeine content and a more bold and nutty flavor profile.”

“The slow drip espresso is then blended with sweetened condensed milk.

The result is a creamy and harmonious blend of sweet and bold flavors,” the sisters said.

The three enjoy being able to offer new and different tea options to the community, they said.

“Another exciting moment is when we have people from all over the country stop by to let us know they had us on their list of places to try,” the sisters added in the email. “It’s very heartwarming, and we hope to continue our journey for the upcoming years.”

To learn more about Tí Café, visit www.ti.cafe.

NEW OPENINGS FROM PAGE 2

Studholme Chiropractic serves all active people, and boasts state-ofthe-art equipment for diagnosis and treatment. It is a hybrid rehabilitation/gym-based facility with a heavy focus on sports including running injuries and post-surgical rehab, for example.

To learn more about Studholme Chiropractic, visit denverrunningsolutions.com.

The Plethodon welcomes guests to Meow Wolf Convergence Station in Denver. Soon, the Plethodon Sculpture Garden will be vibrant with alien-like plants and xeriscaping, thanks to the Denver Botanic Gardens.

PHOTO BY CANDICE COLEMAN Story on Page 6.

4 Life on Capitol Hill

July 1, 2022

‘He wanted to learn the bagpipes’

Colorado Youth Pipe Band allows students to learn instruments, dance, life skills

Evan Schrieber, a drum instructor with the Colorado Youth Pipe Band, left, works one-onone with Zivah Palmer.

Aiden Palmer plays the bagpipes during a Colorado Youth Pipe Band rehearsal in June. The pipe band practices year-round at the Washington Street Community Center and welcomes youth from across the Front Range. PHOTOS BY CHRISTY STEADMAN

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BY CHRISTY STEADMAN CSTEADMAN@COLORADOCOMMUNITYMEDIA.COM

f a youth can perform in a competition and play well in front of a judge, it’s likely they will take those skills and be able to succeed at any job interview once they become adults.

Being involved with the Colorado Youth Pipe Band “sets them up for anything they want to do in the rest of their life,” said Jamie Cuthill of Aurora, the band director for the Colorado Youth Pipe Band. “They’re learning life skills.”

The Colorado Youth Pipe Band is a nonprofit governed by a volunteer board and the band director. Youth involved learn the traditions of Highland bagpipes, drums and dance, as well as life skills such as leadership, pride and camaraderie through performance and competition.

“They are tremendous,” said the band’s founder Neil Gillette of the youth. “I’m so proud of what they do and their continuing spirit.”

Gillette, a resident of southeast Denver, has been piping for about 50 years. He started playing the bagpipes when he was 16, despite there not being a youth pipe band at the time.

He formed the Colorado Youth Pipe Band in September 1989 with one goal: to provide a fun, nurturing place for youth.

“Most pipe bands (consist) of adults and don’t have children in them, except youth who already know how to play and already have uniforms,” Gillette said. “I wanted to provide a space for youth.”

The Highland dance section of the band got started in 1997, with the help of Shari Gillette, a dance instructor who is Neil Gillette’s wife.

The band rehearses on Mondays year-round at the Washington Street Community Center, 809 S. Washington St., in Denver’s Washington Park West neighborhood.

A bagpipe or drumming student can join the youth pipe band as young as 8, and Highland dance students can join as young as 4. Additionally, the youth can learn to play the bagpipes or drums — tenor, snare or bass — and simultaneously learn to Highland dance.

“It’s a fantastic opportunity for them to get

Cora Delaney practices a jump for a Highland dance routine.

to learn something outside of their general education,” said Misty Delaney of Dacono, whose children have been involved with the band since about 2013 — four are currently involved, and two have aged out. “And it’s an opportunity for them to play, perform and compete with others their age.”

Eight-year-old Kavyn Jenkins of Denver’s Harvey Park neighborhood wanted to learn everything about his Scottish heritage, his mom, Holly Jenkins, said. Then one day, he told her that he wanted to learn the bagpipes.

So about a year ago, she got him involved with the Colorado Youth Pipe Band, and today, Kavyn is learning to play the chanter — the part of the bagpipe that creates the melody. It is a steppingstone instrument to the bagpipes, and generally, all students start out by learning to play the chanter.

Youth don’t need prior experience or a background in music to join the Colorado Youth Pipe Band. The organization is committed to providing ongoing instruction and uniforms, which are band-owned. Bagpipers and drummers wear the Hamilton Hunting Modern Tartan for all performances and competitions.

“You don’t want them in hand-me-down kilts or equipment,” Neil Gillette said. “You want them to look as sharp as the adult pipe bands.”

The Palmer family of Littleton learned of the Colorado Youth Pipe Band a number of years ago. They attended a Denver Brass and bagpipe concert, and per the interest of the children, the concert’s emcee told them about the Colorado Youth Pipe Band.

Today, all four Palmer children — Aiden, 14; Zivah, 12; Uri, 11; and Zoey, 10 — are involved with the band.

“I like the drums because they’re fun to play,” said Zivah Palmer, who has been involved with the band since 2018. “But I also like dancing because it’s a fun form of exercise. I’m not interested in any other types of sports right now.”

Kiowa’s Evan Schrieber, 25, joined the Colorado Youth Pipe Band when he was 11 and played with the band until he aged out at 18, which is when he became a drumming instructor for the band.

“It’s like nothing else they would ever do,” Schrieber said. “It’s very intellectual, and it

Ana Fairbanks-Mahnke, a piping instructor with the Colorado Youth Pipe Band, works with chanter student Kavyn Jenkins.

LEARN MORE

takes a time commitment for the skill. But it’s not just about the instruments — they gain a lot of people skills.”

The Colorado Youth Pipe Band performs and competes at Celtic festivals across the state, and in 2007 and 2013, traveled to Scotland to perform and compete.

The youth also get involved with the community in various ways, said Jackie Cuthill, Jamie Cuthill’s sister, who serves as the organization’s dance co-director along with Cristy Jones.

They perform at a variety of community events — such as Saint Patrick’s Day parades and Memorial Day events — as well as random cheer-up performances in their local communities. For example, one of the youths brought out his bagpipes and played socially-distanced in the streets for neighbors during the COVID-19 pandemic stay-at-home order in 2020.

The Palmers recently performed for a neighbor who had returned home after a stay at the hospital because of various health conditions.

“I always wanted to make this my profession,” said Jamie Cuthill, who joined the Colorado Youth Pipe Band when he was 11. It was 1990, and he was one of Neil Gillette’s first nine students.

Today, the Colorado Youth Pipe Band has about 25 youth involved and is always accepting new members.

Cuthill, 43, has been teaching for about 20 years, and took over as band director when Gillette retired. His goal is to make the Colorado Youth Pipe Band the best band that Colorado has ever seen, he said.

“If we want to keep the art going,” Cuthill said, “we have to get the youth involved.”

Life on Capitol Hill 5

July 1, 2022

The Phelps family enjoys a barbecue meal at the 2022 Denver BBQ Fest.

PHOTOS BY CHANCY J. GATLIN-ANDERSON

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

‘OV

’ N O O E H M T ER

E U C E B R FOR B A

T

BY CHANCY J. GATLIN-ANDERSON SPECIAL TO COLORADO COMMUNITY MEDIA

he fourth annual Denver BBQ Fest took place June 17-19 at Empower Field at Mile High, bringing together expert pitmasters, live bands and barbecue lovers from across the country. In addition to vendors, beer and boat loads of barbecue meat, the event featured a Run for the Ribs 5K race and the Rib Rumble, a contest to see who can eat the most ribs by weight in five minutes.

I am a long-time barbeque fanatic. I’m a Kansas City Barbeque Society Certified Judge and have been judging backyard and professional contests for several years. I’ve judged contests in Colorado, Nebraska, Wyoming, Georgia and Alabama. I am a member of the Kansas City Barbeque Society as well as the Rocky Mountain BBQ Association. Born and raised in Georgia, I have a taste for sweet, smokey barbeque, but I have grown to love all regional barbeque during my time as a certified barbeque judge. To me, Colorado barbeque is the perfect fusion of the sweetness of the south, the Texas heat, the tangy vinegar taste of the Carolinas and the Midwest, and the bold, rich flavor of Kansas City.

THE FATHER OF DENVER BARBECUE

“The variety of barbecue was impressive. I’d like to see an effort to make the event greener — there were so many wasted paper and plastic products. I’d also like to see a lot more interactivity. More learning opportunities would have been great.” — Gregwa Gauthreaux of Denver’s Capitol Hill neighborhood, left, pictured with festivalgoer, Stan Yau.

“It’s a great bonding experience and so nice to get out of the house. It was a little overpriced, but overall, I had a good time.” — Vanessa Mendez of Commerce City, left.

“BBQ? More like BB-WOO. What a great time. Smoked meats get me over the moon.” — Jill Rittersbacher of Denver’s Central Park neighborhood, right.

“The festival was awesome. The ribs I had were incredible.” — Wayne Richards of Parker, left.

“The BBQ I had was really solid. The brisket was really juicy, and the pork belly was absolutely fantastic. I just wish there were more alcohol options.” — Andrew Vasquez of west Denver, center.

“I thought the event was really fun. It had so many options to choose from. I wanted to try everything.” — Caroline Lowry of west Denver, right.

Denver barbecue legend “Daddy” Bruce Randolph, who lived from 1900-1994, began serving barbecue out of his son’s barbershop on East 34th Avenue in Denver in the early 1960s. His food became so loved by the Denver community that he began to regularly cater events for the Denver Broncos. Eventually, Randolph opened his own barbecue restaurant at 1629 E. 34th Ave. in north Denver. In 1967, Randolph began feeding people in need out of a food truck at City Park during Thanksgiving. By the 1980s, his Thanksgiving events would serve tens of thousands of people each year, and the “Daddy” Bruce Randolph, a Denver barbecue legend and humanitarian. tradition in some form PHOTO COURTESY OF THE DENVER PUBLIC LIBRARY continues today. In 1985, East 34th Avenue was renamed Bruce Randolph Avenue in honor of his humanitarianism. In 2002, the Bruce Randolph School, 3955 Steele St., was founded.

INFORMATION OBTAINED ONLINE ATHISTORY.DENVERLIBRARY.ORG AND BRUCERANDOLPH.DPSK12.ORG.

6 Life on Capitol Hill

July 1, 2022

Plethodon emerges at Convergence Station

BY CANDICE COLEMAN SPECIAL TO COLORADO COMMUNITY MEDIA

When Meow Wolf and the Denver Botanic Gardens united to adopt last March, they might have named their new baby Plantasia.

Instead, the newly-partnered parents welcomed the Plethodon, a cosmic, collaborative sculpture that burst from the ground and decided to perch at the entrance of the Meow Wolf Convergence Station parking lot, 1338 First St. in Denver.

At first, it looked a lot like an animated, oversized, extinct amphibian. But thanks to the Gardens, it’s now alive and teeming with life.

“This project is part of our Horticulture Outreach Program, which works with municipal and commercial properties to create beautiful, sustainable landscapes, while increasing water conservation, pollinator habitat and healthy ecosystems,” said Kevin Williams, the Denver Botanic Gardens’ assistant curator and horticulturist, who created the garden design.

When Meow Wolf commissioned the Gardens to make Plethodon’s new curbside crib a little more appealing with native plants, the Gardens couldn’t have picked a better man for the gig and dig. After all, it wasn’t Williams’ first foray into the wonderfully wacky worlds known as Meow Wolf. Now three locations strong — Santa Fe, Las Vegas and Denver — Williams stumbled across the original location in Santa Fe while on honeymoon.

To learn more about Meow Wolf, visit meowwolf.com. To learn more about the Denver Botanic Gardens, visit botanicgardens.org.

“I was blown away,” Williams said.

“The three hours I spent touring the attraction were among the most exciting times of my life. And when I was assigned this project, it felt like a full-circle moment for me. To create a complex, provocative project for its fans would be a total labor of love.”

Once the seed was planted in his head, Williams had to do his homework on the mythical muse in the bare bed. According to science — fiction or fact, you be the judge — Plethodon is a genus of salamanders that existed 100 million years ago.

Evidently, it didn’t like the Cryogenian age, or any glaciation for that matter, nor did it like change.

So it hid and eventually fossilized.

Once Meow Wolf opened its doors in downtown Denver nine months ago, it erupted from its slumber and emerged on the steps of Meow Wolf Convergence Station.

Which begs the question: How do you accessorize what Williams calls an “alien dream garden?” Well, of course, with extra-terrestriallooking plants that mimic the scale, shape and color of the Plethodon.

“Our goal in creating Plethodon’s xeriscape, or dry landscape which requires little to no rainfall, we selected complex, exotic and some common plants that thrive in the

Kevin Williams, assistant curator and horticulturist at the Denver Botanic Gardens, fell in love with Meow Wolf Santa Fe while on honeymoon a few years back. For him, designing the Plethodon Sculpture Garden at Meow Wolf Denver was a labor PHOTO COURTESY OF MEOW WOLF of love.

Colorado and New Mexico landscapes. And a lot of those plants we selected may look and feel alien because they’re originally from central Asia, Patagonia and southern Africa. They actually drifted here hundreds of thousands of years ago when the continents were much closer together,” said Williams.

Like artemisia, the small silver plants one might spot by Plethodon’s tall tail. Or horbia rigida (rigid spurge), echium amoenum (red

feathers), purple bearberry — and a recognizable one, verbena, which is a popular ground covering. To add to the razzle dazzle, Williams used chunky, broken pieces of concrete to mimic the mulch Plethodon destroyed when it finally rose from hibernation.

And while the plants are very much in their infancy — like children, they need time to grow — Williams says the goal in three-to-five years is to create a wildly manicured garden that partially cloaks the statue.

“We are currently in phase one of a three-phase planting process,” he said. “So far, there are 600 different plants in the Plethodon garden.

Another 400 will be planted in the fall, along with hundreds of bulbs.

And more complex plants to come next spring.”

According to Meow Wolf officials, Plethodon is a gift to the city of Denver. A treasure. A living fossil reminding us that our home is a place with a vibrant and beautiful story that is ever changing. It is a reminder that change is unavoidable and can, if embraced, create luminous and wonderful things, like the Plethodon, that are as beautiful as they are unrecognizable.

No word yet if there are plans to replicate the Plethodon Sculpture Garden when Meow Wolf eventually invades Texas. That said, this bloom with a view will continue sowing the seeds of love and creativity and mystery in Denver, absolutely free to the public.

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Life on Capitol Hill 7

July 1, 2022

The heart and soul of Denver’s film culture Denver Film, Sie FilmCenter working to get audiences back to the movies Kelsey Holmes is the membership coordinator for Denver Film.

BY CHRISTY STEADMAN CSTEADMAN@COLORADOCOMMUNITYMEDIA.COM

T

he setting for one of Kelsey Holmes’ earliest memories is a movie theater. When she was a toddler, she went to see the 1994 Walt Disney film, “The Lion King,” with her sister and her mom.

This launched a love of film that has lasted Holmes’ entire life, and now, as an adult, the Capitol Hill resident serves as the membership coordinator for Denver Film.

Based out of the Sie FilmCenter, 2510 E. Colfax Ave., Holmes loves her job, and one reason is she gets to talk about films with people every day.

“That is such a gift to me,” Holmes said. “I am at the center of such a vibrant and knowledgeable (film) community, and it truly is a pleasure.”

Denver Film is a nonprofit organization that got its start in 1978. It is known for its unique programming such as the award-winning Denver Film Festival and

the Film on the Rocks series.

The Sie FilmCenter is the arthouse theater and permanent home of Denver Film.

“As Colorado’s only nonprofit film organization, we are individuals who curate these films personally — not by robot and not by committee like the corporate chains trying to get your attention — to give you a great film experience, not to just grab your dough,” said Keith Garcia, artistic director for the Sie FilmCenter.

The Sie FilmCenter specializes in showing new, independent films and beloved retro films. For the former, these are often films people can’t see elsewhere. The latter provides people with the opportunity to see a film that is perhaps nostalgic, or perhaps it was released before they were born so they didn’t have the chance to see it on the big screen, Holmes said.

“It’s really the trust that we build with our audience,” Garcia said. “Sometimes we’ll have a soldout show of a great classic that only one-third of the crowd had

HOW TO BECOME A DENVER FILM MEMBER Denver Film offers two affordable levels of membership: • Film Buff individual membership for $65/year • Cinephile for Two dual membership for $125/year Memberships are fully tax deductible because Denver Film is a 501(c)3 nonprofit.

Discounts and benefits of membership include: • A discounted $8.25 ticket to any screening. Film Buff gets one discounted ticket and Cinephile for Two gets two discounted tickets.

• Discounts on popcorn, candy and soda at concessions. Members also get all day happy hour prices at the bar.

• Monthly e-newsletter that previews the next month’s programming, events, promotions, etc.

• Access to exclusive, free members-only screenings of films outside of the scheduled theatrical programming.

• Early bird ticket reservations and discounted tickets to the annual Denver Film Festival. Additionally, members get early admittance to Denver Film Festival screenings, allowing them to secure their seats before the doors open to regular ticket holders.

• Discounts on passes to Denver Film’s other festivals and special events such as Women+Film, the Colorado Dragon Boat Film Festival, CinemaQ and Summer Scream.

To learn more about Denver Film, or to become a member, visit denverfilm.org.

PHOTO BY CHRISTY STEADMAN

seen (before), but they know we won’t steer them wrong or waste their time. We take them someplace new, and sometimes, we take them where they want to go. It’s a great relationship.”

Holmes believes it’s also the members that make Denver Film and the Sie FilmCenter so special.

“Our members are so passionate about film and add so much value to this organization,” Holmes said.

“They are our most loyal patrons, and even though they are small transactions, their ticket purchases go a long way in supporting us.”

Denver Film has about 1,200 current active members, but that number does not include people whose membership expired during the pandemic and have not yet renewed, Holmes said.

“We are hoping to reengage with that subset because we would love to see them back at the Sie FilmCenter,” Holmes said.

That’s one reason that Michael Nordine, who first became a member in 2019, recently renewed a member-

ship.

“I’m originally from Los Angeles, which has a vibrant film community, so when I moved to Denver, I hoped to replicate that experience as closely as possible,” Nordine said. “Denver Film is the heart and soul of the city’s movie culture, and I wanted to be part of it.”

Likewise, Gennaro Leo became a member earlier this year with the thought that it is a great way to meet new people who also have a passion for film.

“It’s very difficult in life to find passionate fans of film, especially not knowing anyone in a new town. So to have stumbled upon Denver Film and the community, I am very, very grateful,” Leo said. “If you are looking to be part of a film community in Denver — one that embraces all forms of creativity and creators — the Sie FilmCenter is the place to dedicate your time and energy.”

Members get a lot of perks — discounted movie tickets, concessions and festival passes; member e-newslet-

ter; exclusive free member screenings outside of scheduled programming; and much more — but Holmes says that members enjoy the sense of belonging the most.

“It’s a tightknit group,” she said. Members “are part of a group of people who are just as passionate about film as they are.”

Holmes added that it’s not uncommon for members to know the Sie FilmCenter’s bartenders and the people working the box office by name — and vice versa.

Additionally, the Sie FilmCenter is part of a cultural complex right off Colfax where one can experience literature, music and movies all in a single hub — Twist & Shout Records and the Tattered Cover Book Store, both being local-to-Colorado businesses, are just steps away from the Sie FilmCenter.

“People enjoy the sense of community when they step through the doors,” she said of the Sie FilmCenter. “And there’s something about that exclusive feeling from getting to spend time in a place that’s a hidden gem.”

Cats on Mats yoga returns to Denver Animal Shelter STAFF REPORT

Denver Animal Shelter’s Cats on Mats yoga series has returned after a hiatus during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Certified yoga instructors host the classes as kittens and cats playfully prowl around the room. The cats and kittens attending the yoga class will be available for adoption.

The classes began on June 10 and are offered from 5:30-6:30 p.m. every Friday

through September. They take place in the Denver Animal Shelter’s Community Room, 1241 W. Bayaud Ave. in the Valverde neighborhood.

A seated, accessible Cats on Mats yoga class is offered once a month: July 8, Aug. 5, and Sept. 9. This class is open to anyone but is designed for individuals who use wheelchairs, have balance difficulty or prefer to be seated during class.

The yoga class and postures

will be adapted to the class participants’ level of function.

Tickets cost $20 and can be purchased online. Proceeds benefit Denver Animal Protection.

Cats on Mats classes are limited to 20 people and participants should bring their own yoga mat.

To learn more about Cats on Mats or to purchase a ticket to a class, visit tinyurl.com/DASCatsOnMats.

The Cats on Mats yoga series has returned to the Denver Animal Shelter. Classes are offered weekly through September. COURTESY PHOTO

8 Life on Capitol Hill

O

VOICES

Give something away on July 15

ne of my favorite pastimes is to go, what I call, thrifting. I love spending a couple of hours on a day off treasure hunting at a thrift shop.

Though I don’t always find something I will treasure for life, almost FROM THE always I find something unique or EDITOR that has value to me. Rarely do I go home empty handed.

But along with a love for thrifting comes the need to occasionally re-organize and declutter.

National Give Something Away Day is July 15. I have already begun the task of cleaning out my closet of fall and winter clothes to away, and I’ll be moving on Christy Steadman give to the spring and summer clothes soon.

But celebrating National Give Something Away Day doesn’t have to involve taking a large garbage bag full of clothes to the thrift store. The day can be marked with simple, kind gestures — giving your co-worker the paperback copy of a book you love but read years

I

July 1, 2022

LOCAL

ago, gifting some baby clothes that your child has grown out of to an expecting mother or preparing a homecooked meal for a neighbor and letting them keep the serving dish that has been stored in your kitchen cupboard and rarely used.

These small gestures can go a long way toward brightening somebody’s day.

Of course, there are more charitable ways to celebrate National Give Something Away Day as well. Years ago, I had a friend from college who was moving out of the country for a while, so she threw a naked ladies party. No, it is not the type of party its name implies. In fact, quite the opposite. Probably a better name for it would be friends’ clothing swap, but I guess the words “naked ladies” grabs more attention.

My friend invited her friends of all different shapes and sizes to her apartment for a Saturday night get-together. She gave us plenty of notice in advance of the party because she asked all of us to go through our closets and set aside the gently-used clothing we no longer wore or wanted. The one rule was you couldn’t take home anything that you brought.

Once everyone arrived, all the clothes we brought

were put in a few big piles on the floor in the middle of the living room. There was quite the variety of clothing, and a lot of it. Everything from pajama shirts to professional attire — I even got the dress I wore to my college graduation from that party.

We spent a few hours going through everybody’s things, munching on finger-food snacks, taking turns trying clothes on in my friend’s bedroom and getting others’ opinions on how we looked. After we had finished making our selections of what to take home, we put on one of our new outfits and walked to a local bar for an after-party drink.

The party itself was a lot of fun, but the best part about it was the charitable aspect. The weekend following the party, my friend donated all the unclaimed clothes to a local women’s shelter.

Donating to charities — no matter if it be in the form of volunteering time, giving monetarily, giving new or gently-used items to someone in need or attending a fundraiser event — simply feels good.

And, if like me, you decide to go the route of giving away a bunch of clothing on National Give Something Away Day, you can always re-up your closet on Aug. 17, which is National Thrift Shop Day.

A look at the past year’s accomplishments

t has been my honor to serve the City Council District 5 community over the last three years. Throughout my time, I’ve committed to bringing the voice of the people back to city government. As we embark on summer adventures, I want to GUEST take a moment to reflect on my COLUMN accomplishments over the last year. The following provides a snapshot of completed and current projects and initiatives my office has been working on to respond to the needs of our residents.

a top priority in 2021. On June 6, Denver City Council approved the Expanding Housing Affordability project, which requires new residential developments of 10 units or more to designate a percentage of the units as affordable. The program also raises linkage fees that support the city’s Affordable Housing Fund and incentivizes adaptive reuse to help stop the scrapes we see in our neighborhoods. This legislation will create many more deed-restricted affordable units in Denver, and directly addresses the need for more affordable housing in our city. More information on the project can be found on denvergov.org/affordabilityincentive.

Gun buyback program Crime in Denver has risen Councilmember over the past several years, and Amanda Sawyer we have seen an uptick in senseless acts of gun violence both in our community and across the country. My office is dedicated to making Denver a safer place to live and work. To support public safety improvements being implemented by the Denver Police Department, I created a gun buyback program in partnership with Colorado Springs-based nonprofit RAWtools, the City of Aurora and the Denver Broncos. The purpose of the program is to help reduce incidents of gun violence in our community by reducing the availability of weapons being stolen from cars and homes and used in other crimes. We are providing monthly opportunities for residents to anonymously exchange their unwanted firearms for gift cards. To date, more than 360 weapons have been turned in, melted down, and turned into garden tools. Details can be found online at denvergov.org/district5.

Redistricting Denver City Council recently approved a new council map outlining the city’s 11 city council district boundaries. The new map achieved the desired outcomes of District 5 residents, incorporated feedback from neighborhoods across the entire city, and fulfilled all the charter and resolution requirements that direct the process. I believe the 2023 map does an excellent job of balancing the varying interests identified. Residents will vote for a councilmember in their new district in April 2023, but their current councilmember will continue to serve them until July 2023 when the new mayor and city councilmembers are sworn in. See the approved map at tinyurl. com/2023map.

Expanding the Housing Affordability Project Affordable housing is one of our city’s great needs, and District 5 residents identified it as

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Traffic safety improvements To address concerns around traffic safety, my office conducted three traffic studies in partnership with the engineering firm, Fehr & Peers, and DOTI. Taking community feedback into consideration, we prioritized traffic calming measures that will enhance walkability, create safer street crossings and fill sidewalk gaps to better connect transit stops and nearby schools. DOTI will

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install these improvements over the next several years. Some improvements include a stoplight at Alameda Avenue and South Newport Way, a rapid flashing beacon crossing at East Sixth Avenue Parkway and Clermont Street, road-narrowing pinch points at East 14th Avenue and Glencoe Street, sidewalks and bike lanes in several areas of the district, and parking improvements along Dayton Street. Find more details at denvergov. org/District5.

Looking ahead to the next year, our team will continue our work to serve the residents of District 5. Stay tuned for updates on the following projects and legislation: • Supporting small businesses in East Colfax by implementing security measures recommended

by Denver Police Department through Crime Prevention Through Environmental Design assessments.

• Saving residents money by exempting diapers, including incontinence products, from Denver sales tax.

• Ensuring Denver voters have access to clear information on their ballots by updating Denver’s voting timelines, ballot titles and Bluebook requirements.

• Making owner-opposed historic designations fairer by aligning city council’s hearing requirements with the Historic Preservation Commission’s hearing policies.

• Implementing the East Area Plan recommendations to reduce car-centered uses and promote ground floor activation through a legislative rezoning.

As always, please don’t hesitate to reach out to our office if there’s anything we can do to support you.

Amanda Sawyer represents District 5 on Denver City Council. She can be reached at DenverCouncil5@denvergov.org or 720-337-5555.

Columnists & Guest Commentaries Columnist opinions are not necessarily those of Life in Cap Hill.

We welcome letters to the editor. Please include your full name, address and the best number to reach you by telephone.

Email letters to csteadman@coloradocommunitymedia.com Deadline 5 p.m. on the 20th of each month for the following month’s paper.

Life on Capitol Hill 9

July 1, 2022

American Indian College Fund connects students to opportunity

BY CHRISTY STEADMAN CSTEADMAN@COLORADOCOMMUNITYMEDIA.COM

It has been a couple of generations since Tori McConnell’s native language of Yurok has been spoken fluently among family.

“It was not passed down because often, it was seen as a burden, not a benefit,” McConnell said.

One reason Indigenous languages were not passed down can be attributed to the Indian boarding school era. During this time — which began around the mid-1800s and lasted until 1978 with the passing of the Indian Child Welfare Act — Native American children were forced to go to an Indian boarding school to assimilate to American culture. These schools were government- or church-operated boarding schools and were often run as military organizations. Children were expected to convert to Christianity, wear uniforms and were punished for speaking a tribal or native language.

McConnell, 22, of Eureka, California, graduated from University of California-Davis with a Bachelor of Arts in Native American studies.

She is an artist currently working on learning the

craft of traditional weaving and a Káruk language apprentice under Master Speaker Julian Lang and she’s active with the Advocates for Indigenous California Language Survival organization.

McConnell’s goal is to speak her native language fluently, teach it to her family and pass it down to future generations.

Prior to attending college, McConnell felt a disconnect to her heritage, she said.

“Native American studies provided a life path of not being afraid to embrace what is most important to me,” McConnell said. “It helped me discover my passion for my heritage — and healing — through cultural revitalization, leadership and potential.”

McConnell was able to attend college thanks to a scholarship she was awarded from the American Indian College Fund. Headquartered in Denver, the AICF is a national nonprofit that serves Native American and Alaska Native students and helps them obtain a college education.

There is a “huge disparity” in college attainment among Native American and Alaska Native students, said Dina Horwedel, director of

public education for AICF. The 2019 U.S. Census Bureau data reveals that only 15% of Native American and Alaska Native people age 25 and older have a bachelor’s degree or higher. This is compared to 32.1% for the overall population.

There are many reasons for this, Horwedel said, including the inability to afford tuition in addition to living in remote areas.

“Our goal is to eliminate this disparity,” Horwedel said. “We’re committed to ensuring that students can financially attend (college) and ensuring their success because that benefits an entire community.”

To do this, along with the scholarships, the AICF offers numerous programs ranging from college tours for high schoolers, mentoring and career search assistance for college graduates.

On June 15, AICF hosted a culinary event on the University of Denver campus during which attendees had an opportunity to taste high-end Indigenous cuisine prepared by acclaimed Native chefs — with assistance from culinary students studying at Navajo Technical University, a public tribal land-grant university in Crownpoint, New Mexico.

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To learn more about the American Indian College Fund, visit collegefund.org.

Tori McConnell, center, holds her diploma on graduation day in May. McConnell, who graduated from the University of CaliforniaDavis with a Bachelor of Arts in Native American studies, is pictured with Michelle VillegasFrazier, director of UC Davis’ Native American Retention Initiatives, on the left; and Ines Hernández-Ávila, professor of Native American Studies at UC COURTESY PHOTO Davis.

“Many people have never heard of Indigenous cuisine,” Horwedel said. But “Denver is a hot, emerging foodie scene, and people in Denver are interested in learning and experiencing Native cuisines.”

Along with the dining portion of the evening, the event’s purpose was to intro-

duce people to the culture and traditions of the food, raise awareness of tribal colleges and the work the students are doing and highlight the work being done to revitalize Native American cultures and traditions.

“We’re making steps toward having Indigenous knowledge being valued just as much as Western knowledge,” McConnell said. “The world is being improved, thanks to Indigenous knowledge.”

But concerning education, McConnell said there is still a lot of trauma from the Indian boarding schools and a lot of work to be done concerning education for Indigenous people.

“Education today can better a person, rather than traumatize them like in the past,” McConnell said.

“When we pursue an education, we’re making a choice to change the narrative.”

For McConnell, attending college taught her to realize the true history of “why things are the way they are,” but also provided the space for healing, and the opportunity to see things with a new

10 Life on Capitol Hill

July 1, 2022

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Life on Capitol Hill 11

July 1, 2022

Behind the curtain at Buntport Theater Five involved with the theater’s success

BY DIANNE BLOMBERG SPECIAL TO COLORADO COMMUNITY MEDIA

“I have never taken theatre seriously,” said Hannah Duggan. “I just do it and enjoy it.”

Duggan, a 1994 graduate of South High School, is one of five co-owners of Buntport Theater located in Denver’s Lincoln Park neighborhood, which is known for its quirky productions and has been featured in The New York Times, the Huffington Post and more.

Her mom, Melody Duggan, a retired East High School theater teacher, said, “I think theatre is the most integrating art of all the arts.

I taught that to my students at East and I think Hannah saw that in my work.”

Hannah Duggan, along with Brian Colonna, Samantha Schmitz, Erin Rollman and Erik Edborg, have been co-creating multi awardwinning original plays at Buntport Theater since 2000.

Buntport, a nonprofit theater, presents wildly creative productions by the five owners working equally — no one is the star. It has

Owners of Buntport Theater, from left, Samantha Schmitz, Brian Colonna, Hannah Duggan, Erik Edborg and Erin Rollman stand in front of a mural for a photo op near the theater, which is located in Denver’s Lincoln Park Neighborhood.

PHOTO COURTESY OF HIP PHOTO COMPANY

endured and flourished over time, and recently celebrated its 50th original play.

Behind the curtain, family and teachers influenced these dedicated creatives.

Why has it endured? Mothers know best.

“The Buntport crew aren’t starstruck. They didn’t start this theater as a jump-off to Hollywood or Broadway. And they respect each other’s gifts,” Melody Duggan said. “They stick to their mission statement.

Also, they have fun while doing it.”

The theater’s mission statement sits at the core of every production: “Buntport Theater Company believes that it is necessary to cre-

ate new works. In order to ensure utmost accessibility, we stress affordability, variety, abundance and filtering creations through many minds. We believe that collaboration on every level of operation is a strong and vital model for arts organizations.”

All the members of the company have a story of influence to tell.

Besides her mom, Hannah Duggan remembers her South High drama teacher with gratitude.

“Randy Thomas taught us how to be creative with people of all kinds, shift with the energy of others, and taught us a sense of community in the theater,”

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Hannah Duggan said. “That set me up really well.”

Rollman’s dad, David Rollman, directed and performed in local productions.

Her high school teacher, Rive Collins, from The Colorado Springs School inspired her.

“I started doing theater at a very young age,” she said. “I don’t remember not doing it.”

Edborg was inspired by his brother, David.

“He was always a wonderful mimic,” Edborg said.

“When we were young, he would impersonate the Muppets and Inspector Clouseau. He showed me how much fun it could be to perform.”

Dan Haliburton-Link directed plays at Foothills Academy in Wheat Ridge, Schmitz’s high school.

“He inspired me to continue with theater because he made it fun, challenging and a little wild at times. He was a hero,” she said.

For Colonna, it was “a teacher named Linda Case that made the whole thing inclusive, fun and exciting. I think of her as old school, a show person, a triple threat. Every once in a while, if the theater gods allow, I’m definitely a single threat.”

The first time Melody Duggan watched a Buntport production was more than 22 years ago.

“I was blown away at how creative those kids were in their version of Beowulf,” she said.

Melody Duggan retired from East High School in 2015 after teaching drama for 23 years.

“Being a performer is in our bones, I guess,” she said.

In the 1970s, Hannah Duggan’s mom was a musician in the regionally popular Family Jam band. And Melody Duggan’s mom, Harriett Anderson, was a guitarist who performed regularly in the 1940s with bands like Sons of the Pioneers.

Performance is not the only thing Hannah Duggan inherited from her mom.

“I watched my mom at East work with challenging resources sometimes.

When we started Buntport, most of what we used was donated, like stage lights from the 1950s. We still use those today. I learned you don’t need fancy stuff if you work it right,” she said.

Melody Duggan added: “Today, I still see the fun Hannah has, and I see myself in her.”

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12 Life on Capitol Hill

July 1, 2022

IMAX film allows viewers to soar alongside birds “Wings Over Water” showing at Denver Museum of Nature & Science through July 18

BY BRUCE GOLDBERG SPECIAL TO COLORADO COMMUNITY MEDIA

This IMAX film is for the birds.

It’s also for the many people helping avians maintain their lifegiving wetlands in Canada and the western United States.

“Since 1970, we have lost 3 billion birds, about one-third of our continental bird population,” said Chris Dorsey of Denver, one of two executive producers of the “Wings Over Water” project. “We wanted to brand the wetlands. We want the people of North America to see the prairie wetlands are every bit as important as the Amazon, the Everglades, the Serengeti. We’re trying to raise awareness of the importance of that ecosystem.”

“Wings Over Water” is showing until July 18 at the Denver Museum of Nature & Science. The 3D, high-definition format allows viewers to feel as if they’re flying right alongside the birds as they travel through a 300,000-mile ecosystem that includes western Canada, North Dakota, South Dakota, Montana, Minnesota and Iowa.

The film focuses on the lives and

travails of bird families from three species: the sandhill crane, the yellow warbler and the mallard duck, all of which depend on the prairie wetlands for survival. It stresses their remarkable reserves of energy as they traverse mountains, deserts, cities and forests, as well as their mating habits, nest protection, food sources and more.

“There’s an extraordinary sequence with a great horned owl and a nesting mallard,” said Dorsey. “It’s an extraordinary scene, and a horned owl comes at you in 3D. But it also talks about how difficult it is for nesting birds to evade predators - owls, eagles, hawks and more. We tell that story in a powerful sequence.”

Helping Dorsey with the development of the film concept was Charlie Potter, president and CEO of the Max McGraw Wildlife Foundation in Chicago.

Dorsey’s friend, actor Michael Keaton is an avid outdoorsman and not only narrated the film, but also wrote the foreword for the companion book, “Wings Over Water: The Vital Magic of North America’s Prairie Wetlands.”

Dorsey said the two go flyfishing together and added that Keaton contributed a lot of time to the project.

Singer Huey Lewis and famed broadcaster Tom Brokaw are also among Dorsey’s outdoorsy

Denver’s own Chris Dorsey is one of two executive producers of the “Wings Over COURTESY PHOTO Water” IMAX film.

acquaintances. Lewis allowed the filmmakers to include “The Power of Love,” perhaps his biggest hit, in the film.

Coloradans also have a role.

Ducks Unlimited, which has a large chapter in Denver, was involved in the project.

“Ducks Unlimited has about 700,000 members across the United States and Canada, and has worked on the prairie wetlands for about 85 years now,” Dorsey said. “There’s a lot of Denver connections to the film.”

The IMAX film, “Wings Over Water,” is showing until July 18 at the Denver Museum of Nature & Science. COURTESY IMAGE

To learn more about the “Wings Over Water” film, visit wingsoverwaterfilm. com.

To see “Wings Over Water” at the IMAX Theatre at the Denver Museum of Nature & Science, 2001 Colorado Blvd., visit dmns. org/visit/imax/. The film’s runtime is 44 minutes, and there are daily viewing times available through July 18. Entry requires museum admission and a special ticket.

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