September 2022 LifeOnCapHill.com
Ace StationHardware-Alameda
The Roots Collective The Roots Collective is celebrating its grand debut with a Metaphysical Fair from 6-9 p.m. on Oct. 8. The Roots Collective consists of three businesses located in Capitol Hill’s 1400 block of North Ogden Street. All are owned by Denver resident Nikki Hazamy, pictured above. The businesses are: The Corner Beet, a vegetarian restaurant that opened in August 2014, cornerbeet.com; Rooted Heart Yoga & Wellness, which was established in November 2018, rootedheartyw.com; and Balanced Root Apothecary, which had its soft opening in March, balancedrootapothecary.com.Hazamymoved to Denver from Detroit in 2013. She started out selling juices on the corner of 14th and Ogden when the current building’s current landlord approached her and offered her a quaint corner space to house the juices. This led the way to establishing The Corner Beet. Hazamy continued her vision of offering holistic health to the community with the opening of Rooted Heart Yoga & Wellness and Balanced Root Apothecary, completing the collective.Theapothecary offers organic, handmade products made by local small business and vendors. “Every person who has walked through our doors, whether it be the Corner Beet, Rooted Heart of Balanced Root Apothecary, has been an integral part creating this collective,” Hazamy said. “When you find balance, you find healing, and we hope The Roots Collective can be exactly that for you.”
The Glam House celebrated its one-year anniversary of opening its Capitol Hill location, 1433 N. Ogden St., in August.
The Capitol Hill location is the salon’s second location. The Glam House got its start in 2016 when owner and founder Alexandria Grado started serving customers out of the basement of her southeast Denver home. In September 2018, The Glam House expanded to its first storefront location at 4085 E. Mississippi Ave. in Denver’s Belcaro neighborhood.
According to the news release, the Carlsons will be investing in an IT infrastructure services company called DilSe.IT, which delivers services to more than 120 customers including more than 40 Ace Hardware stores.
“It is an exciting time for Denver’s growth right now, and soon our location will become a multi-story residential development,” Carlson said in the news release. “During the pandemic, we were an essential business and experienced record sales volume, and we’ve continued to do well the past couple years even with rapidly rising labor costs, growing crime and shoplifting affecting our business. However, a combination of factors including continued supply chain challenges, increasing prices and the redevelopment of the shopping center where we’re located have made it obvious that it’s time for us to make a change.”
The Saucy Noodle Ristorante — a Denver restaurant known for its slogan, “If you don’t like garlic… go home!” — closed in August. The Saucy Noodle operated at its 727 S. University Blvd. location for nearly six decades.According to a message on the restaurant’s website, the closure is attributed to an eviction by the landlord. Westword reported that a Certificate of Demolition Eligibility Application notice was posted on the restaurant’s front door, and that the building was purchased by a property developer on July 15 this year. “For 57 years, we have had the privilege of sharing with you our family history, recipes and oversized meatballs, and we are so grateful to have had this opportunity to cement ourselves as a part of Denver’s history, while meeting so many wonderful people along the way,” the message on the Saucy Noodle’s website reads. “We will never forget the many thousands of memories that have been made here, and we are endlessly grateful to have shared them with you.”
The Glam House performs all hair color, cutting, extension and barber services, specializing in balayage color services and various types of extensions to best suit a person’s hair type and goals.
The Golden Triangle branch had been serving the community for more than 40 years, according to the bank’s website. It was one of three branch locations. The other two will remain open. They are located at 800 E. 17th Ave. in Uptown and 530 S. Holly St. in Washington Virginia Vale.
Zaidy’s Deli & Bakery
To learn more about The Glam House, visit theglamhouse.com.
The Bank of Denver The Bank of Denver closed its Golden Triangle Branch at 606 W. Colfax Ave. on Aug. 31. In May, BusinessDen reported that the reason for the closure was because the branch had experienced a decline of customers during the past two years.
MILESTONES,
In August, Zaidy’s Deli & Bakery celebrated the one-year anniversary of reopening in its new location at 600 S. Holly St. in Denver’s Washington Virginia Vale neighborhood.TheJewishdeli had a 35-year history serving the community when it closed SEE P3
The Learned Lemur will be exhibiting at The Oddities & Curiosities Expo, which takes place from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Oct. 1 in Hall F of the Colorado Convention Center, 700 14th St. in Denver. To learn more about The Learned Lemur, visit learnedlemur.com.
September 1, 20222 Life on Capitol Hill
The Learned Lemur, an oddities and antiques collector’s shop that got its start in 2015, celebrated the one-year anniversary of its brick-and-mortar shop at 2220 E. Colfax Ave. in August. A Facebook message posted on Aug. 14 reads: “Thank you to all our customers, who’ve been with us longer than this year or have just found us because of our awesome new location — we appreciate you all so much and will always do our best to continue to provide you with the most odd and unusual Denver has to offer.”
The store served Denver’s Baker, Platt Park and Wash Park neighborhoods since 2006. It was owned and managed by Carlson along with his wife, Claudette. “This announcement is bittersweet because we have become friends with many of our customers over the past 16 years,” Carlson said in the news release. “We consider this neighborhood our home. We will miss our employees, neighbors, customers and friends, and I’m sure they will miss us, too. But we’ve had a good run and are leaving with our heads held high.”
The Learned Lemur
On Aug. 9, the Station,Hardware-AlamedaAce417S.Broadway, announced that it would be closing.Inanews release, the store’s owner, Andy Carlson, attributed the closure to changes in the city of Denver and the redevelopment of the Broadway Marketplace shopping center.
ON THE COVER
its Cherry Creek North location in October 2020. It got its start by original owner Gerard Rudofsky, who stayed on in a consultant role when the restaurant changed hands to father-and-son team Max and Joel Appel and Beth Ginsberg. Zaidy’s is a local mainstay for matzo ball soup, potato latke sandwiches, pastrami and other New York-style Jewish comfort foods. New developments to the restaurant include smoking its own salmon and roasting its own meats, and an in-house bakery.
To learn more about Zaidy’s Deli & Bakery, visit zaidysdeli.com.
The Ten Penny Store The Ten Penny Store, 250 N. Broadway #110, celebrated its five-year anniversary in hoodPlattopenedAsWashingtonAccordingAugust.totheParkProfile’sformercolumn,BusinessUsual,thestoreinDenver’sParkneighbor-inAugust2017.
Life on Capitol Hill 3September 1, 2022
It has another location in Trinidad that opened in February.The vintage shop sells curated clothing, records, jewelry, art, gifts and other curiosities. To learn more about The Ten Penny Store, visit tenpennystore. com. FROM PAGE 2
We Are Colorado
MILESTONES
COURTESY PHOTO
KeyBank/Warren Village KeyBank recently provided a $250,000 grant to WarrenWarrenVillage.Village is a nonprofit residential community that serves homeless or housing insecure singleparent households. It has a location in the Cheesman Park neighborhood, another in northwest Denver and is expanding to southwest Denver. The grant is expected to benefit a minimum of 300 individuals annually, states a news release. It will “provide coaching for a minimum of 150 Warren Village alumni, a 10% increase in the number of participants who earn a college degree, and a 10% increase in the average annual salary for existing participants working full time,” states the news release. “This generous investment from KeyBank will enhance our adult self-sufficiency program and extend our reach with much-needed services for singleparents in our community,” said Warren Village’s CEO Ethan Hemming in a news release. “Ultimately, the financial support will strengthen our impact in the Denver community.” To learn more about KeyBank, visit key.com. To learn more about Warren Village, visit warrenvillage.parentorg.
HistoryColorado.org
Explore eleven museums and historic sites across Colorado, including the History Colorado Center in Denver.
Join now and learn about the people and cultures that have shaped our beautiful state.
Lupita Infante, granddaughter of the late mariachi superstar Pedro Infante, will headline the Viva Southwest Festival de Mariachi, which takes place Sept. 25 at Levitt Pavilion Denver. Story on Page 11.
F
projects
Allison Dame, 15, a teen action councilmember with Rise Above Colorado, works on the organization’s including the 50th capstone mural, which is located on a building at 788 S. Broadway in Denver.
To learn more about Rise Above Colorado, visit riseaboveco.org.
Rising above drug abuse
A group of teens with Rise Above Colorado and youth mentors gather for a photo in early August as they were working on Rise Above Colorado’s 50th capstone mural, which is located on a building at 788 S. Broadway in Denver. to community
Local artist Pat Milbery holds a rendering of the Rise Above Colorado mural located at 788 S. Broadway in Denver. The mural was youth-led, but the youth had the opportunity to work with Milbery, a professional artist, on the project.
BY CHRISTY STEADMAN CSTEADMAN@COLORADOCOMMUNITYMEDIA.COM or the past seven years, thousands of Colorado teens have decided to “rise above” and paint murals instead of using drugs. Empowering them is the Rise Above Colorado, a statewide substance prevention nonprofit that provides teens with “information, resources and healthy lifestyle alternatives to help them choose a life free of drug abuse,” according to its website. “When youth feel connected and a sense of belonging in their community, they’re much less likely to use drugs and alcohol,” said Rise Above Colorado Executive Director Kent MacLennan.MacLennan added that it’s not just a “don’t do drugs” message. “It’s sharing the positive choices that most teens make,” he said. That’s how the murals come in. In early August, about 40 teens created the organization’s 50th youth-led mural project. It is located on the outside of a building at 788 S. Broadway, which borders Denver’s West Washington Park and Baker neighborhoods.Themurals provide the youth with “a sense of completion and ownership,” said Rise Above Colorado Program Director Jonathan Judge, who has been involved with all 50 murals. “They see it (a mural project) from beginning to end with their ideas and concepts. The catalyst is always theRiseyouth.”Above Colorado started the youth-led murals in 2015. They are located across the state, with a number of them — including the 50th capstone mural — in Denver. For the 50th mural, the youth worked with Denver artist Pat Milbery, who is known for his Love This City murals that can be found throughout Denver. Milbery said he enjoys working with the“Ifteens.youcan help pass the lessons, vision and wisdom to the younger generations — and do it with fun — it resonates through as an enjoyable process,” Milbery said. Through working on the murals, the youth learn to believe in something and it teaches them the importance of collaboration, Milbery said. The 50th mural in Denver is located where Broadway turns into Lincoln, just past I-25 heading north. Here, the youth are “putting their mark on a wall that, on average, 500 or 1,000 cars will drive by each day,” Milbery said. “They get a sense of achievement.” Though Rise Above Colorado may be best known for the youth-led murals, the murals are not the only community-involvement avenue that the organization offers. “Not everyone is going to serve the community in the same way,” said Andrea Macias, who volunteers on the organization’s board of trustees.
Colorado youth say no to drugs and yes
“Rise Above Colorado gives youth the platform to serve their community how they see fit.” Macias, now 25, got involved with Rise Above Colorado when she was 14. A Rise Above Colorado project that she and her peers worked on when she was a teen is a website with all the “good, bad and ugly” about drug use, Macias said. The website has nonbiased information about drugs — complete with nonbiased facts, stories, solutions and alternatives to drug“Weuse.learn a lot from our peers. A lot the time, our peers are our biggest influence,” Macias said. “The website was written by teens for teens (because) more times than not, teens will make the right choices when presented with nonbiased information from their peers.” Now a resident of Henderson, Macias grew up in west Denver and has always been active in her community. She earned her undergraduate degree from the University of Denver in 2021, graduating with a major in history and a double minor in critical race and ethnic studies and sociological studies. She is currently employed as a college recruiter for Emily Griffith Technical College in Denver. As a first-generation college graduate and a woman of color, Macias said she believes it’s important to do her part to bring the community up with her.“A lot of these issues, such as drug abuse, impact communities of color disproportionally,” Macias said. She added that by sitting on Rise Above Colorado’s board, she is able to be a part of that mentorship and guidance.“Justbecause I struggled, it doesn’t mean that others have to,” she said.
September 1, 20224 Life on Capitol Hill
Rise Above Colorado got its start in 2009 as the Colorado Meth Project. In 2014, it broadened its focus to all substance use prevention and changed its name to Rise Above Colorado. Rise Above Colorado also partners with other community and youth-serving organizations, such as Denver Public Schools and Denver Health.
Littleton’s Allison Dame, 15, has been involved with Rise Above Colorado for a little more than a year. As a teen action councilmember, she serves as an advisor and helps her peers have their voices heard. “A lot of times, we don’t get heard,” Dame said. “But we have very strong opinions on what the world should look like and what we can do for positiveButchange.”Damealso enjoys being part of the organization for the social aspect, she said. “I love helping people, and being kind is one of my life values,” Dame said. Rise Above Colorado “is a large and very kind community to be a part of.”
Brooke Goodwin, 10, spray paints a mural in early August. The mural was a project of Rise Above Colorado, which is a statewide substance prevention nonprofit for youth.
Rise Above Colorado “has the ability to highlight the best in our youth and our communities,” said Pamela Gould, director of Jefferson County Communities That Care, which is a program of Jefferson County Public Health that partners with Rise Above Colorado.Gouldrecalled a recent conversation that she had with a father who said his tween-aged son was struggling with making good decisions. Rise Above Colorado “was a breakthrough for him,” Gould said. “It was just being a part of something and being involved with art and community” that helped the son.
PHOTOS BY CHRISTY STEADMAN
Five-year-old Kaia Vegas loves to swim.And thanks to the Denver Preschool Program, her mom was able to use the money that would have been used for preschool tuition to get Kaia involved with extracurricular activities, like swim lessons and dance“Educationclasses.gives your kid an advantage,” Kalelia Vegas said. “It opens them up to so many things.” Vegas is a single mom working fulltime as an engineer at a member’s club in Cherry Creek. She also has a son, AJ, who is junior at Denver South High School.
Denver Preschool Program working to solve teacher challenges Denver Preschool Program serves about 60% of all 4-year-olds in Denver.Ithasa roster of about 260 providers it works with — 60% are Denver Public Schools and the other 40% are community providers, Holguin said.All, however, are quality preschools. This means each school has to be licensed, insured and have a quality rating of three stars or higher from Colorado Shines, which is the state’s quality rating and improvement system provided by the Colorado Department of Early Childhood.“TheNo.1 indicator of a quality preschool is having quality teachers who are supported and properly compensated,” Holguin said. Therefore, Denver Preschool Program offers support to providers — including coaching and resources — to help them grow and ensure they meet the three-star or higher rating, HolguinAdditionally,said.
Statewide universal preschool will help expand the Denver Preschool Program Soon, Colorado will have universal preschool, which means every family across the state will be able to send their 4-year-old to preschool at no cost to families. The Denver Preschool Program will serve as
Denver Preschool program is already well-established serving families with 4-year-olds, so it is focusing on expanding its programming to be able to serve even more Denver families, with statewide universal preschoolFundingcoming.fromthe state for universal preschool will cover preschool for 10 hours a week per 4-year-old, Holguin said. Because the Denver Preschool Program already has funding from the sales tax to serve Denver’s 4-year-olds, statewide universal preschool will help supplement Denver Preschool Program in that it will be able to offer preschool for more than 10 hours a week, Holguin said. This means families in Denver will be able to send their child to full-day preschool, which helps families who are unable to afford the cost of childcare beyond the 10 hours a week that their children are in preschool, Holguin said.
How it works is parents apply for the support, and funding is provided on a need-based sliding scale.
Preschool provides a base for learning
Both AJ and Kaia were able to attend preschool because of the tuition assistance Vegas got from the Denver Preschool Program.
Denver Preschool Program expanding as statewide universal preschool comes
To learn more about the Denver Preschool Program, visit dpp.org.
Denver’s Local Coordinating Organization.Therewill be about 30 LCOs — which were determined geographically — in the state, and each LCO will have the ability to put together a community plan that will work best for that particular community, said Elsa Holguin, president and CEO of Denver Preschool Program.
PHOTOS COURTESY OF KALELIA VEGAS
Denver Preschool Program piloted its 3-year-old program last year with 300 children in high-need households. It will offer it to 600 children in high-need households for the 2022-23 school year. By the 2023-24 school year, all high-need households will be able to enroll their 3-year-old in preschool, Holguin said.The Denver Preschool Program defines a high-need household as one that has an income of less than $60,000 a year for a family of four. “For the first time in Denver, highneed families will be able to get two years of free, full-day preschool for their children,” Holguin said. “It is really exciting that we’re able to do this.”
The Denver Preschool Program has a mission to get children ready for kindergarten by providing resources and funding assistance so that all Denver families are able to send their children to preschool. It got its start in 2006 and is funded by a sales tax ballot initiative that Denver voters approved two years prior. Every 10 years, it goes back to voters for re-approval.
Kaia Vegas celebrates her preschool graduation day. Now heading into kindergarten, Vegas was able to attend preschool thanks to the tuition assistance her mother received from the Denver Preschool Program. Kaia Vegas’ family gathers for a photo on Kaia’s preschool graduation day. Thanks to the tuition assistance her mother received from the Denver Preschool Program, Kaia is able to get involved with other activities she enjoys such as swim lessons and dance classes.
BY CHRISTY STEADMAN CSTEADMAN@COLORADOCOMMUNITYMEDIA.COM
Denver Preschool Program offers training programs for teachers, as well as grants, stipends and sign-in bonuses to help address the teacher shortages. “Teachers are struggling,” Holguin said. “We’ll do anything we can to help teachers enter, and stay, in the early childhood profession.”
And that’s not all — the Denver Preschool Program will be expanding its 3-year-old pilot program. The 3-year-old program allows families to enroll their child in preschool at 3 years of age, versus 4. “This has been a dream of ours,” Holguin said. “Now, it finally has funding.”Holguin said that the Denver Preschool Program has known there was a need for families to be able to send their children to preschool beginning at age 3 for a long time. The last time that Denver Preschool Program was on the ballot for reapproval was 2014, and back then, voters said yes to expanding the program to 3-year-olds, Holguin said.
Life on Capitol Hill 5September 1, 2022
Preschool provides children with an advantage Kalelia Vegas believes her son AJ had an advantage in his education because she enrolled him in a learning environment — preschool — at an early age. “He got a base (for learning) that was built on year after year,” Vegas said.Likewise, Vegas believes her daughter, Kaia, is at an advantage as she begins kindergarten this year. Vegas said it’s like the old saying, “it takes a village to raise a child.” Kaia attended preschool at Denver’s Hope Center, a Black-led nonprofit that offers early childhood education and a vocational program for adults with disabilities. “She loved Hope Center,” Vegas said. “It helped mold her to become a successful kindergartener.” Vegas said a child’s learning continues at home, and added that Kaia’s teachers at Hope Center “did the work during the day, and I did it atKaianight.”would come home and talk about everything she learned through the school’s programming, such as book club and international days, Vegas said. “Every day, she had something to tell us,” she added. As a mother, Vegas wants her children to be able to pursue any educational goal they want — whether it be college or any other path of their choosing.“Knowledge is power,” Vegas said. “You never have to stop learning, no matter what age you get.”
Welton Street Café receives
historic preservation grant
Welton Street Café is a staple in Denver’s Five Points neighborhood, known for its soul food. Family owned and operated, it got its start in 1986 and in July 1999, moved to a permanent location at 2736 Welton St. However, it closed that location when its lease expired earlier this year and has been operating as a take-out establishment from a temporary location at 2258 California St. Welton Street Café secured a new location at 2883 Welton St. but it needs to be built out. This includes construction inside and out, and purchasing equipment, furniture and other supplies needed to reopen, said Chereka Dickerson, Welton Street Café’s communications manager.
Grant will cover expenses related to exterior buildout of new space
September 1, 20226 Life on Capitol Hill
Denver’s Welton Street Café is one of two Colorado recipients of a Backing Historic Small Restaurants Grant Program, which is a program of the National Trust for Historic Preservation.TheNational Trust for Historic Preservation is a nonprofi t that was founded about 70 years ago to save historic places across America. Its Backing Historic Small Restaurants Grant Program started in 2021 as a way to provide aid to small, historic restaurants facing challenges amid the COVID-19 pandemic. The 2022 focus was on “independent small restaurants that have been in business for at least 25 years and operate in historic buildings or neighborhoods,” according to the National Trust for Historic Preservation’s 2022acrossTwenty-fiwebsite.verestaurantstheU.S.receivedthegrant.Eachofthem received $40,000 “to improve, upgrade and preserve their exterior physical spaces and online operations,” states the website.TheGolden Burro Café in Leadville is the other Colorado recipient of the grant.
The Backing Historic Small Restaurants Grant “is integral in alleviating costs associated with the buildout,” Dickerson said. However, “since this grant can only be used on exterior construction, (it) will provide us funding for exterior signage, assist with construction of the patio, especially the patio doors, and adding an additional door for takeout orders.”InJanuary, Welton Street Café launched a Go Fund Me fundraiser to assist with the move and buildout of the new space. As of Aug. 8, $107,707 had been raised of the $250,000 goal. It remains active, so people are still able to donate. Dickerson said although there is not an estimated timeframe for opening the new location just yet, the hope is to open by the beginning of year. “Construction on the interior and exterior will take a solid four months once we break ground,” Dickerson said. “Once we break ground, we are optimistic that we will be able to reopen in a timely manner so that we can continue to serve in the community, and so that all of our customers and supporters can enjoy the beauty and vibe of our new space.”Tolearn more about Welton Street Café, visit weltonstreetcafe.com. There is a link to the Go Fund Me fundraiser on the website. To learn more about the National Trust for Historic Preservation, visit savingplaces.org.
BY CHRISTY STEADMAN CSTEADMAN@COLORADOCOMMUNITYMEDIA.COM
The 33rd annual Friendship Powwow takes place from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sept. 10 at the Denver Art Museum, 100 W. 14th Ave. Pkwy. The Grand Entry, which is when all the dancers perform together, will begin at 11 a.m. inside the museum’s Martin Building’s new Sie Welcome Center and Sturm Grand Pavilion. One of the longest-running Denver Art Museum events, the Friendship Powwow will feature Native American dance competitions, family-friendly hands-on activities, arts and crafts vendors, and local Native organizations selling fry bread and Indian tacos. Sept. 10 is also a Denver Art Museum Scientific and Cultural Facilities District (SCFD) Free Day, so entry to the museum is free for all visitors. To learn more about the museum or the powwow, visit denveraartmuseum.org.
COURTESY OF THE DENVER ART MUSEUM
FRIENDSHIPPOWWOWRETURNS
CHRISTY STEADMAN csteadman@coloradocommunitymedia.comEditor
Probably my favorite thing about baseball is the seventh inning stretch and seeing Dinger — which I always mistake for “digger” in reference to Colorado’s history of digging for gold in the Rocky Mountains — come out and rouse up the crowd.Itwas a fun game. I’m not a sports writer, so here is a recap I found on espn.com by the AP: “Brendan Rodgers and Ryan McMahon hit backto-back home runs in a six-run seventh inning, and the Colorado Rockies held off the St. Louis Cardinals 8-6 on Thursday to secure their first series win since the All-Star break.”
Ebi Kondo is the associate director of horticulture for the Denver Botanic Gardens
Christy Steadman VOICES
LINDSAY NICOLETTI Operations/ Circulation lnicoletti@coloradocommunitymedia.comManager
LINDA SHAPLEY lshapley@coloradocommunitymedia.comPublisher
Birdhouse gourd is a type of tropical hardshelled squash (which is part of the cucumber family, Cucubitaceae) native to northern Africa. It was cultivated by people 10,000 years ago and spread all over the world because it is easy to grow, and the fruits were used as a water bottle or flask, food storage, floating devices, musical instruments and more.
Take time for mandatory fun with your colleagues
ERIN ADDENBROOKE Marketing eaddenbrooke@coloradocommunitymedia.comConsultant
September 1, 20228 Life on Capitol Hill 8-opinion
The gourds produce both male and female white flowers on the same vine. You can easily identify the female flower, as the bottom of the flower is swollen into the shape of a small gourd.
FROM EDITORTHE
To subscribe call 303-566-4100 or www.lifeoncaphill.com/subscribevisit
LOCAL
PHOTO BY EBI KONDO
AUDREY BROOKS Business abrooks@coloradocommunitymedia.comManager
Ebi Kondo
A publication of
Columnists & Guest Commentaries
There are many ways to dry the gourds, but the easiest way is to keep the gourd fruits on the vine until the first freeze, then harvest and store them in a cold, dark and dry area like a basement or garage. Check them once a while and turn each gourd to prevent molding. After the gourds are dried, you can drill a small hole to make your birdhouse.Inlatefall in the garden, the humorouslyshaped gourds hanging from the garden structure always remind me of the story, “The Secret of the Magic Gourd,” which I stumbled upon when I was a third-grade grade elementary student in Japan. The book was written by a Chinese author, Zhang Tianyi, in 1958. It is about a young boy named Wang Pao who discovers a magic gourd while he was fishing. The gourd grants him anything he wants, yet the power of the magic gourd changes his life upside down. This book’s slightly dark storyline — and a latter half of psychological suspense — gave me a strong impression I still remember: Looking at a pile of gourds I have harvested, I cannot help feeling if one of these gourds might have some magical power to grant me anything I want…
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
Phone: 303-566-4100
Mailing Address: 750 W. Hampden Ave., Suite 225 Englewood, CO 80110
Birdhouse gourd can complement a garden, and the harvest can be used for craft projects such as birdhouses or flasks.
Making use of birdhouse gourd
eam building is so important. While Colorado Community Media has always put on in-house work functions — and we have opportunities to attend training sessions with our media partners at the Colorado Sun — I never realized how important it is to get to know your colleagues outside of the workplace until the opportunity came up twice in August.Ournewsroom is a relaxed environment — we’ll often have casual conversations amongst each other about things going on in our personal lives. But it is still a work environment, and often, these conversations are prompted by a story one of us is covering, or how we relate to a piece of breaking news we hear about. For example, when President Joe Biden announced his student loan forgiveness plan earlier this month, we in the newsroom started talking about our own college experiences.OnAug.11, a group of us played hooky from work to attend a Rockies game. For the record, it wasn’t actually playing hooky because it was a “Mandatory Fun” day. A few of met at the office and rode the light rail to Coors Field, taking advantage of the Zero Fare for Better Air program, which offered free RTD transit through August. No matter how many times I’ve ridden the light rail downtown, this time seemed like an adventure — maybe because it was with my colleagues rather than friends or family.Werode the train from our Englewood office, then the Free Mall Ride on 16th Street Mall to Union Station and walked the rest of the way the baseball stadium, chitchatting about random topics all the way. Once at Coors Field, we met up with even more of the CCM team, already in their seats enjoying the game. And we had more not-work-related conversations.
The second opportunity for team building was not put on by the company at all. My coworker, Rylee Dunn, was performing with her band for the Englewood Block Party on Aug. 27. I had never seen Dunn’s band perform before, so this was a treat, in addition to seeing all my coworkers smiling and introducing each other to the people who are important in their lives. My colleagues and I all have different things going on in our lives, and different hobbies and interests outside of work. Perhaps none of us would have ever met or crossed paths if we didn’t work together. But despite that, we’ll always have one thing that binds us together — we are each a part of Team CCM. And that is a powerful bond.
COLUMNGUEST
S ince Japanese beetles came into to our garden life, it has been almost impossible to keep my grape vine presentable in Le Potager garden, as the beetles skeletonize almost all leaves in the summer. It looks terrible on the pergola in the middle of the garden, as the brown grape vine contrasts with the rest of garden, which looks so lush and green.Idecided to matchmake this sad grapevine with birdhouse gourd (Lagenaria siceraria) to cover up the destroyed leaves. It worked perfectly. The gourd climbed up on the grape vine happily and produced aromatic white flowers, which later became the humorously-shaped fruits, perfect for craft projects. Now I must think whether I should make bird houses or flasks. You can grow birdhouse gourd very easily. Seeds can be directly sown into the fertile garden bed in late May — after the last frost date in your area — or start a few weeks earlier indoors, then transplant to your garden. The gourd vine likes a sunny site with well-drained fertile, moist soil. Once your seedling starts taking off, let it grow until the main vine can reach the structure where you would like your gourd to climb on. Then, prune it to develop the lateral branches to encourage it to produce more female flowers.
Deadline 5 p.m. on the 20th of each month for the following month’s paper.
T
Becoming successful in the workforce
From left, Rudy Jimenez-Diaz, Carolina Olivas and Marisol Anchondo-Olivas gather for a photo during an event catered by the Youth Employment Academy. COURTESY OF DENVER HOUSING AUTHORITY
Youth Employment Academy helps people obtain career, education goals
From a young age, Rudy JimenezDiaz knew he had an interest of going into the culinary field. His stepdad was an excellent cook, and was always trying new techniques and encouraging his family to try new things. JimenezDiaz also enjoyed working alongside his stepdad with the familyowned taco truck. But Jimenez-Diaz was not at all interested in pursuing a higher education.“Iwasinterested in getting to work,” the west Denver resident said. “I was tired of school.” Then he learned of a program called the Youth Employment Academy.“Theydefinitely got my career going,” said Jimenez-Diaz, who is now 27. “I’ve learned all the best and the worst of a kitchen. I’m happy for all the opportunities.” Jimenez-Diaz started with YEA right out of high school. He completed the program’s internship, then continued his culinary education at Emily Griffith Technical College in Denver. Currently, Jimenez-Diaz is a chef at the Osage Café & Mercado. In this role, he comes up with recipes, helped start the wholesale kitchen for the mercado and teaches YEA culinary classes in Spanish alongside his colleague Carolina Olivas. YEA teaches “people to be successful in the workforce,” said Annie Hancock, the executive director of YEA and the director of resident and community connections for the Denver Housing Authority. “It’s allowing them a safe space to make mistakes and create the solutions.” YEA is a nonprofit program of the Denver Housing Authority. In the early 2000s, DHA received a grant to fund case managers to help underserved youth with barriers they may be facing — homelessness, food insecurity and socialemotional wellness, for example. This grant led the way for the formation of YEA, which organized so that after the grant funding, the program could be sustainable and supported year-round.
Laurita said that one of the reasons YEA is successful is because everybody has different experiences. They’re not all positive experiences, but those are also life-lessons learned. “We don’t have to solve the bigger picture (immediately), but we can solve the problem that’s right in front of us,” Laurita said.
The youth learn to become part of the solution. They learn to help others and be a part of the community, she added. “I’m proud of every individual who comes through our program,” Laurita said. “I consider everybody a success. And it’s because of these success stories that I do this.”
Starting out with the culinary arts in 2007, YEA has since expanded and now offers hands-on training for youth age 14-24 in the three main fields: culinary arts, customer service and retail management and the creative industries. It does this through its Art Street, 1079 Osage St.; Decatur Fresh, a grocery market at 995 N. Decatur St.; and the Osage Café & Mercado, 1015 Osage St. YEA “offers real-life experience and training for the workforce,” said Lori Laurita, the operations manager of social enterprises for DHA. “It’s about learning what their (the youths) strengths are, and what their interests are, and growing from there.” The main goal of YEA is to help the youth obtain their goals — whether it be employment, such receiving hands-on training in a career; or education, such as earning a high school diploma or GED, or pursuing post-secondary education.YEA “provides paths for youth to take outside of the traditional pathway,” Hancock said. “It gives them an opportunity to explore as much as they can.” Employers in the community also have the opportunity to get involved, particularly with the networking component and exposing youth to all the job opportunities there are out there, Hancock said. For example, putting on an artist meet-and-greet or hosting the youth for a tour of a commercial kitchen.“We’re able to pull out any interest they may have,” Laurita said of the youth. “We serve every individual uniquely, (and) we work with them through all their barriers.” Youth in the program are connected to mentors, and they also work together on projects. Hancock pointed to the recent Edible Arts project. With this project, the youth learned the importance of growing your own food. The youth used elements of art to highlight the plants growing in the Mariposa community garden in Denver’s Lincoln Park neighborhood. They “brightened it up,” Hancock said, with edible art — kale, dill, mint and more. The plants then were used by the culinary students at the Osage Café, and the neighborhood’s residents also have access to the garden and the plants growing there, Hancock said. In such, while YEA is a youthserving program, it also works to provide larger support for the neighborhoods in-and-near the social enterprises’ locations, particularly with food access, Hancock said.“We’re at the table from the beginning, talking with the community and responding,” she said. “We’ll continue to be responsive to what the neighborhood asks for.”
Life on Capitol Hill 9September 1, 2022
BY CHRISTY STEADMAN CSTEADMAN@COLORADOCOMMUNITYMEDIA.COM
The Youth Employment Academy, a program of Denver Housing Authority, serves about 200 youth each year. Program enrollment is open yearround. To learn more about YEA, visit youthemploymentacademy.org.
Links to each program — culinary arts, customer service and retail management and the creative industries — are accessible from the YEA website.
*Plan 6148 - Subject to credit approval. Fixed APR of 0.00% for 48 months. Actual payments based on usage. If full credit taken on approval date, payments for 6 month promo will be $20.83, followed by 42 monthly payments of $20.83 for each $1,000 financed. If transaction is later, the 42 monthly payments could be as high as $23.81. Financing for GreenSky® consumer loan programs is provided by federally insured, equal opportunity lender banks. NMLS #1416362. Minimum purchase $9,999 required. **50% off install is equal to 10% off the total project price. New orders only. Offer not valid on previous sales or estimates and cannot be combined with other offers. Offer expires 10/02/22. PC.0004485 www.
BestBathDenver.com
In 2017, a teenaged William Trevizo joined his father’s mariachi band, Mariachi Aguila de Denver. Needing a violin player, the band recruited the classically-trained student who quickly fell in love with the vibrant melodies and joyful rhythm of mariachi. Now a 22-year-old music performance student at Metropolitan State University of Denver, Trevizo is a part of the all-state youth ensemble, Mariachi Estelares de Colorado — a prestigious performance group within the mariachi community. “I’m truly excited to be able to share such a big part of Mexican culture,” said Trevizo. “It is also an honor to be able to share our culture with people whose culture is not Mexican — to share and teach why we love Mexican culture so much.”
The yearly music festival is a time when the Denver Latinx community comes together to celebrate mariachi, which is a Mexican music tradition dating back to the early 18th century. A typical mariachi band consists of several instruments including vocals; guitar; vihuela; guitarrón, which is an acoustic bass; violin; and trumpet. Oftentimes, a mariachi band will have several of each of these instruments. This year, the concert boasts Mariachi Estelares de Colorado as the opening act and the world-renowned Lupita Infante performing alongside Mariachi Sol de Mi Tierra, which is a local band. Mariachi Estelares de Colorado is the first all-state youth ensemble in mariachi. After a lengthy nomination and audition process, 12 exceptional student musicians were selected, representing communities across Colorado — Denver, Commerce City, Longmont, Pueblo and Westminster. “I’m really excited to perform with Colorado’s first all-state mariachi, Mariachi Estelares de Colorado,” Infante said. “It’s a beautiful venue, and I’m really looking forward to connecting with the audience and creating lasting memories.”Infantewill headline the festival with her bold, regional Mexican sound. Being the granddaughter of the late mariachi superstar Pedro Infante, Lupita Infante has more than 50,000 followers on Instagram and more than 75,000 on Facebook. She has been nominated for both Grammy and Latin Grammy awards.“Pedro Infante was one of the world’s greatest singers of mariachi music. Lupita is now carrying forth his legacy,” Trujillo said. “She represents the future of our youth as presented by our historical music.” Lupita’s 2021 Grammy-nominated debut album, “La Serenata,” opened the door to stardom while paying tribute to the tradition and beauty of her heritage. She believes in the in the power of progress and advocates for woman empowerment throughout her music within an industry historically dominated by men. “Mariachi for me is the most beautiful and elegant music of Mexico. It is a living part of our culture. In it, there is a past that created the music and over time — much like our traditions — it has evolved, traveled and inspired many hearts,” Infante said. “When you hear mariachi music, it takes you on a journey through time and space. For me, it is how I connect with my ancestors, to my father, and my grandfather.”
BY CHANCY J. GATLIN-ANDERSON SPECIAL TO COLORADO COMMUNITY MEDIA
The fifth annual Viva Southwest Festival de Mariachi is coming to Ruby Hill Park as part of the Levitt Pavilion Denver’s Free Summer Concert Series. The event will take place from 5-7 p.m. Sept. 25 at 1380 W. Florida Ave in Denver. A ticketed VIP reception begins at 3 p.m.The MSU Department of Music and the Latino Cultural Arts Center of Colorado have teamed up to provide the night of music, food, drinks and fun for Denverites, families and anyone who loves traditional Mexican music and “Thisculture.festival provides the greater community with a unique learning experience,” said Lorenzo Trujillo, festival director and mariachi instructor at MSU. “It is unique because there is no other place where our youth can study mariachi music with other students from throughout the state, and to learn from the great mariachi teachers from throughout the nation. The concerts provide an enjoyable experience with music provided by our youth where everyone benefits from the joy and pleasure of mariachi — the music of Mexican people.”
Sharing Mexican Culture
COURTESY PHOTO
Mariachi festival takes place at Levitt Pavilion on Sept. 25 For more information on the Viva Southwest Festival de Mariachi, or to purchase tickets, visit vivasouthwestmariachifestival.lcac-denver.org/
Life on Capitol Hill 11September 1, 2022 KICKOFF TO FALL SAVINGS EXPIRES 10/02/22 50% OFF INSTALLATION all shower & bath projects 48 MONTHS0% APR Special Financing for OVER 125,000 HOMEOWNERS HAVE CHOSEN US, BECAUSE THEY: • Wanted to Say Goodbye to Mold and Constant Cleaning • Needed a Safe & Low Step-in Shower • Wanted to Customize the Style to Match Their Bathroom • Needed the Job Done and Ready for Use in Less Than a Day • Needed Removal and Installation Completed by Trained Experts • Needed an Affordable Option to Meet Their Budget INSTALLED IN JUST 1 DAY! 4.8 4.8 SERVICING 33 LOCATIONS ACROSS 15 STATES OVER 125,000 SATISFIED CUSTOMERS HURRY! THIS OFFER EXPIRES 10/02/22, SCHEDULE YOUR APPOINTMENT TODAY! 720 - 459 - 9326
William Trevizo sings at a mariachi performance. He, along with the other musicians part of the all-state youth ensemble that make up the Mariachi Estelares de Colorado band, will be performing at this year’s Viva Southwest Festival de Mariachi at Levitt Pavilion Denver.
Pickin’ and singin’ to benefit Cameron church
Connole echoed her excitement. “It is a social event,” he said, adding that he is looking forward to “giving the community the opportunity to help the church, sing some songs, play some instruments — and have some fun.”
On Sept. 25, Cameron will host the Denver’s Largest Bluegrass Jam. This event will serve not only as a family-friendly event that the entire community is invited to, but also as a fundraiser for the church’s building fund which will support restoration of the church’s magnificent stainedglass“Musicdome.has been at the heart of Cameron since the beginning of time,” said Catherine Teutsch of Washington Park, a musician and member of Cameron church. “It brings something beautiful to the community, in terms of the cultural fabric.”Teutsch’s band MicroGrass will kick off the Denver’s Largest Bluegrass Jam festivities with an outdoors performance at 11 a.m. At 12:30 p.m., everyone will head indoors for the community jam to be led by the Denver RetroGrass Jam Band. This jam, which will last until 2 p.m., will take place in the church’s sanctuary, under the stained-glass dome. Everyone and all abilities are welcome at Denver’s Largest Bluegrass Jam, Teutsch said. Every instrument is welcome, and musicians of all skill levels will be able to participate. Those who do not have instruments are encouraged to come and sing — chords and lyrics for every song will be“Theprojected.coolthing about bluegrass is that it is such an accessible music for people,” Teutsch said. Additionally, Denver’s Largest Bluegrass Jam “is quite unlike any other bluegrass jam because it’s very inclusive.” In addition to the jams, the Denver’s Largest Bluegrass Jam will feature vendors, information booths, light refreshments will be available for purchase and Swallow Hill Music — a Denver-based nonprofit music school — will be bringing an instrument petting zoo.
“Part of the function of Cameron is to be in service to the community,” said Bill Kirton of Denver, who served as the church’s pastor for about 16 years until he retired in 2008. “People love music, and we need it during difficult times. Especially now.”
Doug King plays the dobro during a Wednesday evening Denver RetroGrass Jam Band jam session in August.
Denver’s Largest Bluegrass Jam takes place from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Cameron United Methodist Church, 1600 S. Pearl St. in Denver’s Platt Park neighborhood. A suggested donation of $15 will benefit the church’s building fund, which will go toward maintenance and repair of the church’s stained-glass dome. For more information, contact Catherine Teutsch at CatherineT@ comcast.net.
Jim Bradney plays the ukulele during a Wednesday evening Denver RetroGrass Jam Band jam session in August.
Andrew Torres plays the banjo during a Wednesday evening Denver RetroGrass Jam Band jam session in August.
BY CHRISTY STEADMAN CSTEADMAN@COLORADOCOMMUNITYMEDIA.COM
PHOTOS BY CHRISTY STEADMAN
Catherine Teutsch plays the accordion and sings during a Wednesday evening Denver RetroGrass Jam Band jam session in August.
Denver’s Largest Bluegrass Jam takes place Sept. 25
September 1, 202212 Life on Capitol Hill
The goal for this year’s Denver’s Largest Bluegrass Jam is to have at least 150 people participating in the jam and raise $10,000. Because the funds raised from the jam will be a donation to the church, the donors — in this case, the jam organizers — are able to stipulate what the donation can be used for, Teutsch said. Therefore, proceeds from the jam will go to Cameron church’s building fund, which, in turn, will help the structural integrity of the building, including the leaking dome/roof, Teutsch added.Cameron United Methodist Church was built in 1913, and is a designated historic site. Kirton said its stainedglass dome was created by Watkins Stained Glass Studio — which has been in business in Colorado since 1868 and today is still family-owned, located off South Broadway in Englewood, according to its website. The RetroGrass community jams also have a long, local history. They got started at Swallow Hill Music roughly 15 years ago, said Tom Connole of Denver who serves as the jam leader. When a space and noise conflict with Swallow Hill’s music classes came about, the jams relocated to a coffee shop off Broadway in Denver called Strange Grounds, Connole said. When that venue closed, Cameron church offered its venue for the jams, with rent being only that RetroGrass provides music during service four times a year, Connole said. This current partnership and agreement has been in place for about five or six years, Connole said. This year is the third Denver’s Largest Bluegrass Jam. The first took place in 2017, and the second in 2019. In 2019, about 115 people showed up, and about $6,500 was raised for the church’s building fund, Teutsch said. The third Denver’s Largest Bluegrass Jam was originally slated to take place in 2021, but was postponed a year because of the COVID-19 pandemic. Teutsch said she is “beyond excited” for the event this year.
Cameron church, 1600 S. Pearl St. in Denver’s Platt Park neighborhood, hosts community bluegrass jams led by the Denver RetroGrass Jam Band every Sunday and Wednesday.
“It is gratifying to see the joy on people’s faces to have live music back,” she said.
Tom Connole, jam leader, plays the guitar during a Wednesday evening Denver RetroGrass Jam Band jam session in August.
Cameron United Methodist Church is more than just a building. It serves its congregation as a faith-based gathering place, but it is also a place that welcomes all sorts of community-wide events — everything from children’s Halloween costume contests to local merchant meetings. And bluegrass jams.
Nate Perso plays the mandolin during a Wednesday evening Denver RetroGrass Jam Band jam session in August.
Paul Marino, a bass player for MicroGrass Band and the Denver RetroGrass Jam Band, plays his bass guitar during a Wednesday evening jam session in August.
Life on Capitol Hill 13September 1, 2022 Sign up today to receive our weekly newsletter Stay connected to your local community! Go toandcoloradocommunitymedia.comclickthenewslettertabtosignuptoday!
Students at the French American School of Denver say “bon jour” to their new City Park West schoolhouse. The school is located at 2350 N. Gaylord St. in Denver.
COURTESY PHOTO
Free tuition, open enrollment, improved test scores among pupil perks The French American School of Denver is located at 2350 N. Gaylord St. in Denver.While FASD is o ering grades K-4 for the 2022-23 school year, it plans to build out one grade per year to reach K-8 status.Noprior French knowledge is necessary to attend. To learn more about the school or for more information about enrollment, visit fasd.org. schoolhouse.” SEE SCHOOL, P14
BY CANDY PETROFSKY SPECIAL TO COLORADO COMMUNITY MEDIA Berets aren’t a mandatory school uniform requirement, but you can bet they’d look pretty chic on the precious, petite pupils who comprise the French American School of Denver, which is currently back in session and already earning top marks for its new schoolhouse. “Oui, oui. We just secured a new long-term lease in City Park West for the 2022-23 school year and beyond,” said parent volunteer Julie Burck. “The teachers, administrators and parents like me are just thrilled to welcome all the children, from all over Denver, into our beautiful new Servingschoolhouse.”kindergarten through fourth grade, FASD is Denver’s first and only accredited, tuition-free French-immersion charter school. Its open enrollment is available until full, or Oct. 1, whichever comes first. Since immersion means the teachers and kids communicate almost entirely in French, every day, school officials say kindergarten enrollment is best to lay the foundation for fluency. “I have done my homework and when you learn what I’ve learned about Two-Way Immersion models — and how fast these kids soak up the language and how the schools just set these kids up for success in life — you’ll understand why I’m so passionate, in particular, about FASD,” Burck added. Let’s get schooled Burck, and other parents and administrators, believe FASD is the crème de la crème. Here’s why. According to the French Ministry of Education, Two-Way Immersion models, regardless of the languages, indicate improved scores in math, reading, vocabulary, mental flexibility, problem-solving skills and increased high school graduation rates. FASD states a Two-Way Immersion model is a specific type of dual-language education that allows students to learn a second language, while continuing to develop their firstEmmanuellanguage.Bidan, FASD’s director of curriculum, said all schools outside France are subject to evaluation and inspection by the National Education Ministry and the Agency for French Education. In addition, all FASD school curricula surpass Colorado state standards, Bidan added.“Ifirmly believe that learning another language is not only learning different words for the same things, but learning another way to think about things,” he said. Burck and parents love the fact that FASD does not teach common core mathematics, which has scored more than its fair share of criticism. Instead, math courses are taught using Singapore math, which Bidan said is ranked No. 1 worldwide. Burck said for his son, enrolling in FASD was a godsend, as he had fallen a “oui” bit behind in phonics. “Literally, one quarter after I enrolled him at FASD, he improved exponentially in writing and oral skills, and he’s now a superb reader in both French and English,” Burck said.All FASD teachers must be licensed and native French speakers. All FASD students learn and
French immersion school opens in new schoolhouse
DENVER PHILHARMONIC ORCHESTRA SEASON COMMENCES
COLFAX BUSINESS IMPROVEMENT DISTRICT By: /s/ Anna Jones, District Manager Published On: September 7, 2022 (one time) Published In: Life on Capitol Hill
September 1, 202214 Life on Capitol Hill ServicePaintingDirectory DIRECTORYWINDOWREPAIR Make Your Original Windows Work Specializing in Window Solutions PLUMBING 1064 Clayton St. OLDER HOME SPECIALIST Service, Repair, Remodeling, Older Home Specialist; Apartments, Hot Water Licensed/Insured/GuaranteedHeat. 303/329-6042 VAIL Plumbing & Heating PAINTING • Complete Interior and Exterior Paint • Quality Work by Trusted Craftsmen Since 1995 CALL 303-512-8777 www.irelandsfinestinc.com • Complete Interior and Exterior Paint • Quality Work by Trusted Craftsmen Since 1995 CALL www.irelandsfinestinc.com303-512-8777 TO ADVERTISE CALL 303-566-4100 CLASSIFIEDS COLORADO COMMUNITY MEDIA CLASSIFIED AD SALES 303-566-4100 classifieds@coloradocommunitymedia.com SERVICE DIRECTORY ADS Contact Erin, eaddenbrooke@coloradocommunitymedia.com303-566-4074CAREERS MARKETPLACE REAL ESTATE SERVICE DIRECTORY Painting Helpful Ace Hardware Pro Painters is a residential painting company which specializes in exterior and interior painting. Our core values are honesty, integrity, service, quality and beauty and our focus is on delivering an outstanding customer experience. We currently include a full color consult, test pints and a detailed walkthrough with all of our paint jobs. Give us a call to set up a free estimate! (720) 432-6125 helpfulacehardwarepropainters.com • Benjamin Moore Paints • Labor and Materials Warranty • Free Estimates • Color Consultation Included • Kind/Highly Communicative Staff CALL 1-888-523-0897promocodeN7017 * Prices are per person based on double occupancy plus up to $299 in taxes & fees. Single supplement and seasonal surcharges may apply. Add-on airfare available. Free date changes 100 days before departure for all land tours and cruise tours. Deposits and final payments are non-refundable. Onboard Credit requires purchase of Ocean View or Balcony Cabin. O ers apply to new bookings only, made by 9/30/22. Other terms & conditions may apply. Ask your Travel Consultant for details. BEST OF FOUR-ISLANDHAWAIITOUR GRAND ALASKAN CRUISE & TOUR Oahu • Hawaii Island • Kauai • Maui — Enjoy a fully guided 4-island Hawaiian vacation with centrally located lodging in Waikiki on Oahu, and beachfront lodging on the “Big Island” of Hawaii, Kauai, and Maui. Guided throughout by our friendly Tour Directors—your local experts. Includes 3 inter-island flights. Vancouver • Ketchikan • Juneau • Skagway • Glacier Bay • Denali Anchorage • and more — Visit Denali National Park and Glacier Bay National Park on the same incredible trip! Cruise through the Gulf of Alaska and the Inside Passage as you discover the best of the Frontier State by land and by sea. 12 days, departs year-round 12 days, departs May - Sep 2023 FROM $2,549 $2,299 FROM $2,049 $1,799 * FREE ONBOARD CREDIT PLAN YOUR DREAM VACATION Legal Notices NOTICE OF HEARING ON PROPOSED 2023 BUDGET AND 2022 BUDGET AMENDMENT NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that the proposed budget for the ensuing year of 2023 has been submitted to the Colfax Business Improvement District (“District”). Such proposed budget will be considered at a meeting and public hearing of the Board of Directors of the District to be held at 9:00 a.m./p.m. on Tuesday, September 13, 2022 at The Emerson School, 1420 Ogden Street, Denver, CO 80218 and via videoconference. Information regarding public participation by videoconference will be available at least 24 hours prior to the meeting and public hearing by contacting Sandy Brandenburger, by email areamendedtheDirectorsandattheanNOTICE7883.comsandy.brandenburger@claconnect.atorbytelephoneat303-265-ISFURTHERGIVENthatamendmenttothe2022budgetofDistrictmayalsobeconsideredtheabove-referencedmeetingpublichearingoftheBoardofoftheDistrict.Acopyofproposed2023budgetandthe2022budget,ifrequired,availableforpublicinspectionat
SCHOOL must show proficiency in phonics, vocabulary progression, grammar, verb conjugations, reading comprehension, oral dictation, poetry, text memorization, spelling, songs and even cursive writing.
FROM PAGE 13
PHOTO BY AMANDA TIPTON PHOTOGRAPHY
“The Two-Way Immersion model requires almost complete immersion for kindergarten — 90% French to 10% English,” said Suzanne Acheson, head of FASD. “This accelerates French learning to breathtaking speeds, and it gives students the opportunity to excel academically, socially and culturally.” They excel on the international job market, too. According to the Ministry for Europe and Foreign Affairs website, more than 300 million people speak French. It is the fifth most widely spoken language in the world, and it’s the second most widely learned. Jean Claude Ndefu, a leader in the Denver Congolese community, is impressed with FASD’s outreach efforts to ensure African families who speak French know about the school and how to enroll in their children. FASD officials want to make sure all parents know they have a choice where their children go to school — and that they are not required to attend any institution in which their neighborhood is zoned. “By being here, my people are struggling in a lot of stuff. This is the opportunity we give our kids to learn this amazing language and I will fight for this school to be here in Denver,” said Ndefu. Parent Audrey Dumas said some wonder if her daughter Sophie was born in France, because her French is just as good as her English. “This is our second year at FASD. Sophie’s grandparents are native French speakers and continue to be amazed at how much her French has improved. And on a recent trip to Paris, people couldn’t believe she was born in the U.S.,” Dumas said. The pièce de résistance? Burck lovesthat tuition doesn’t cost parents one dollar - or euro, for that matter. “You can clearly see why I’m such an advocate,” Burck said. “Kids get a private school education at public school cost. Free and available to everyone. Which is most definitely not the case at other French-immersion schools around the United States. I looked hard and I found scores of tuition-based private schools starting at, minimum, $20,000 a year for elementary, $40,000 for high school. The very same curriculum they have, we have. I loveAndthat.”what do the FASD kids love? They serve French fries. Très magnifique
the offices of CliftonLarsonAllen LLP, 8390 E. Crescent Parkway, Suite 300, Greenwood Village, CO 80111. Any interested elector within the District may, at any time prior to final adoption of the 2023 budget and the amended 2022 budget, if required, file or register any objections thereto.
The Denver Philharmonic Orchestra is a nonprofit semi-professional symphony orchestra founded in 1948. To learn more or to see a lineup of the 75th anniversary season’s concerts or to purchase tickets, visit denverphilharmonic.org.
75TH
The Denver Philharmonic Orchestra’s 75th anniversary season kicks o on Oct. 7. The season features six concerts and will run through May 25. The concerts will take place at Central Presbyterian Church, 1660 Sherman St. in Denver. Tickets cost $27 for adults, $19 for seniors, $12 for students and children age 12 and under are free. Season tickets are available for a discounted price.
Sandra Ruiz-Parrilla, a North Denver artist and environmental justice activist, at the Museo de Las Americas on Friday, Aug. 11, 2022. Some or her students’ art hangs behind her as part of an exhibit about Latino health and justice.
*Requires purchase of annual plan. Special price is for first Lawn application only. Requires purchase of annual plan, for new residential EasyPay or PrePay customers only. Valid at participating TruGreen locations. Availability of services may vary by geography. Not to be combined with or used in conjunction with any other offer or discount. Additional restrictions may apply. Consumer responsible for all sales tax. †Purchase of annual lawn plan required for Healthy Lawn Analysis, which is performed at the first visit. ◆Guarantee applies to annual plan customers only. BBB accredited since 07/01/2012. ©2022 TruGreen Limited Partnership. All rights reserved. In Connecticut, B-0153, B-1380, B-0127, B-0200, B-0151.
BY MIGUEL OTÁROLA COLORADO PUBLIC RADIO
1-833-887-9005
Tracking pollution in state’s most impacted areas COMMUNITY OPEN HOUSE Sunday September 18 | 11:30AM - 1PM We’ve been your neighbors for 165 years and would love to meet you! Please join us for a look at our newly renovated space that is home to our vibrant congregation as well as 4 non-profits: New Genesis Sober Living Housing, Central Visitation Program, Denver Philharmonic Orchestra, and Purple Door Coffee. Refreshments and tours. Register for drawings of concert tickets and packaged coffee. 1660 Sherman Street, Denver, CO www.centraldenver.com80203
Sandra Ruiz-Parrilla has organized walking tours, planted trees and curated art exhibits to draw attention to the environmental hazards in Denver’s Globeville neighborhood.
Life on Capitol Hill 15September 1, 2022 Get the most out of your lawn this summer. 50% OFF* Your ApplicationFirst Save now with
“It’s hard to really fight and raise your voice, because they don’t really hear us in our neighborhoods,” RuizParrilla said in Spanish.
There’s the constant noise and foul smells coming from construction sites, Interstate 70 and the nearby Purina pet-food plant, she said. There is also the soil under the homes, contaminated by industrial smelters from decades past. But getting state officials to go beyond increasing their awareness and taking steps to fix those problems has been a long process, she said.
APPOINTMENTYOURTODAY!
More than a year after Gov. Jared Polis signed the Environmental Justice Act into law, state officials say they are working to earn the trust of Coloradans who are disproportionately impacted by pollution and other environmental risks.
PHOTO BY HART VAN DENBURG/CPR NEWS
The legislation allocated more than $2.5 million this year for the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment to target pollution in communities with lower incomes and more people of color by creating a state-level environmental justice program.Thedepartment hired a team of workers focused on environmental justice, formed advisory groups and launched a new data tool to track environmental risks across the state. Later this year, program staffers will announce an estimated $400,000 in grants for projects that track and curb pollution in neighborhoods facing disproportionate environmental health hazards.Theemployees and advisory groups spent much of the last year visiting those neighborhoods, including through an October tour that RuizParrilla led around Globeville and Elyria-Swansea.“Truecommunity engagement with disproportionately impacted communities takes relationship building,” said state Sen. Faith Winter, a Democrat from Westminster who sponsored the legislation that started the environmental justice program. “They’re working on listening, but that’s a culture shift as well for these agencies.”Ruiz-Parrilla said that while she appreciates state and local interest in Globeville’s issues, agencies often “pass the buck” when it comes to taking responsibility and finding solutions.“Wedon’t want them to see us with pity, we don’t want them to see us as contaminated. Because we’re not,” she said. “What we want them to do is to fix the problem, and it hasn’t happenedOnceyet.”theenvironmental justice grants are available, state officials said they hope it invites a flurry of proposals from local governments, tribal nations and community organizations.Theadvisory groups will also make recommendations to the Polis administration and state lawmakers about environmental justice policy. A draft of those recommendations created in June included changing the names of power plants named after Native American tribes, such as the Comanche Generating Station in Pueblo and the Cherokee Generating Station in Denver, both of which are operated by XcelTheEnergy.Environmental Justice Act also created an ombudsperson role within the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment who will be responsible for creating a system the public can use to file complaints about environmental justice problems.The tool program officials developed to track environmental health hazards, called Colorado EnviroScreen, helped them rank the risk in counties and census tracts based on dozens of health and environmental factors. The Colorado tool, which has a public website, is based on a similar one run by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. The Colorado version has more state-specific details and data, including asthma hospitalizations, cancer rates and proximity to traffic or other sources of pollution. “This is the tip of the iceberg,” said David Rojas, an environmental epidemiologist and professor at Colorado State University who helped develop the data tool. “If something is highlighted in the map, probably there are many more things happening at the sameRojas,location.”whoalso sits on the new Environmental Justice Advisory Board, is already interested in adding more health data and training residents to use the tool, he said. Though it’s not a solution for areas that bear the brunt of Colorado’s pollution, he hopes the information helps residents question state officials about their environmental“Myproblems.goalis that this tool can help trigger the demand from the community to say, ‘We need attention here,’” he said. This story is from CPR News, a nonprofit news source. Used by permission. For more, and to support Colorado Public Radio, visit cpr.org.
SCHEDULE
A free performance by Bandaloop, a dance group that uses rock climbing gear to perform on vertical spaces, will kick o the Robert and Judi Newman Center for the Performing Arts at the University of Denver’s 20th anniversary season. Bandaloop performs on Sept. 29, and the season will run through May 19.
BASIL TSIMOYIANIS
BY CLARKE READER SPECIAL TO
Over 15,000
The Newman Center is using the event as an opportunity to get as many people involved as possible — the event will kick off an afternoon that includes food trucks and performances by the Denver-based groups Playground Ensemble, Presenting Denver and students from DU’s Lamont School of Music. Staging a performance like the one Bandaloop specializes in requires a great deal of planning and a site visit that includes both a feasibility and an artistic study. As Estrella explains it, each performance takes elements of the community and site history and works them into the show. “The dance is informed by what’s already there, what’s moving in the spaces and what the community is going through,” he said. “I hope audiences come away dreaming up creative enterprises of their own.” Some other performances that Ahmad-Post is excited about include A.I.M by Kyle Abraham, which is described as “a contemporary dance company galvanized by Black culture and history.” The performance will include their full-length work, “An Untitled Love,” set to the music of D’Angelo. Another is Manual Cinema presents “Leonardo! A Wonderful Show About a Terrible Monster.” Based on Mo Willems’ children’s books, the show blends projection, DIY cinema and music with enchanting“Theresults.show is the most delightful thing in the world and is fun, interactive and specifically-designed for young audiences,” Ahmad-Post said. “Building a schedule with more work for all ages is a great way to connect forNoeverybody.”matterwhat show people see as part of the season, there will be something that moves them. Audience members frequently attend performances even though they’re unfamiliar with a work because they trust that the quality will be of the very highest, Ahmad-Post said. “The good thing about our reputation is that audiences know they can walk into the room for anything we’re doing and they can trust it will be good,” she said. “That’s an amazing thing to hear from your audience.”
Items to chose from • 40,000 Sq. Feet of Fun BUY ONLINE OR INSTORE, FOR DELIVERY OR PICKUP Family Owned for Over 50 Years
COLORADO COMMUNITY MEDIA
Reaching the milestone of two decades in operation is an achievement that any arts organization should rightfully celebrate. But add in that it’s the first full season since the COVID-19 pandemic, and the Robert and Judi Newman Center for the Performing Arts at the University of Denver has a lot to celebrate. “This season is so much bigger — last year we had around 15 shows and this year it’s around 26,” said Aisha Ahmad-Post, executive director of the Newman Center. “We’ve been thinking about how we connect with our campus and the community at large, and that has led to us taking more risks this year.” The center, 2344 E. Iliff Ave., kicks off its 20th anniversary season on Sept. 29, with a free performance from Bandaloop. It runs through May 19 with jazz vocalist Cyrille Aimée. During those seven months, audiences will get to explore everything from concerts and cinema to family-friendly theater and comedy. “Part of the risk-taking this season is finding ways to better connect our communities, and we’re doing that through the range, not just of the types of work, of stories told,” Ahmad-Post said. “What makes us unique is that being on a university campus allows us to bring best-inclass performers to Denver that can’t be found anywhere else.” That theme of community connection is captured perfectly with the Bandaloop performance. The company takes a truly unique approach to the art of dance, blending it with rock climbing technology. “The lineage the movement comes out of is the dance lineage, but it is performed in vertical spaces using rock climbing gear,” said Melecio Estrella, artistic director with the company. “The audience can look up and see a dancer performing 200 feet off the ground. We’ll be performing on a smaller building at the University of Denver, and that proximity to the audience offers more intimacy.”
Newman Center celebrates 20 years bigger than ever
September 1, 202216 Life on Capitol Hill SHOP ONLINE AT WWW.ARGONAUTLIQUOR.COM Follow Us Denver’s Largest Selection of Cold Beer. We Deliver! 760 EAST COLFAX • 303-831-7788 Monday - Saturday 8 am - 11 pm • Sunday 8 am - 10 pm Argonaut Has It!
For a full schedule of the Robert and Judi Newman Center for the Performing Arts at the University of Denver’s 202223 season, visit newmancenterpresents. com.
