Life on Capitol Hill July 2023

Squeeze

A new massage business has opened in Denver’s Hilltop neighborhood.

Squeeze, located at 875 Albion St., has 11 massage suites. It o ers a customizable massage experience in that guests can tailor their massage including pressure, music, lighting and more, as well as a choice of deep tissue, heat therapy, aromatherapy and percussion therapy. Its app and website provide a hassle-free experience by allowing customers to book appointments, set personalized preferences, pay, tip, rate and review their experience.

Squeeze is the brainchild of the founders of Drybar, which is a California-based chain of hair salons.

To learn more, visit squeezemassage.com. Photo courtesy of an online press kit.

New Americana Home

New Americana

Home, a home furnishings shop located at 1939 E. Kentucky Ave. in Denver’s Washington Park neighborhood, celebrated its one-year anniversary in June.

e shop 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.

It is owned by Holly Kuhn, author of the book, “New Americana: Interior Décor with an Artful Blend of Old and New.”

To learn more, visit newamericanahome.com. Courtesy photo.

fers a wide variety of resources that include transitional, private housing, parent services and advocacy, and early childhood education and childcare. Learn more at WarrenVillage.org.

Spring Clean 2023 volunteers gather on the steps of the main Warren Village location at 13th Avenue and Gilpin Street near Cheesman Park. Courtesy photo.

A ribbon cutting for a new community and performing arts venue in Arkins Park took place on June 22.

Arkins Park is located at 3400 Arkins Court,

Apartment Association of Metro Denver/Family HomeStead/Warren Village

On June 2, the Apartment Association of Metro Denver hosted a Spring Clean 2023 at three Family HomeStead locations and two Warren Village locations across the Denver metro area.

e event included about 200 volunteers who helped with a variety of tasks, including gardening and xing roofs.

e Apartment Association of Metro Denver is a multi-family housing trade association that represents and supports more than 336,000 apartment homes in the metro area. To learn more, visit aamdhq.org.

Family Homestead is a private, non-pro t agency with a mission to provide emergency and transitional housing to the metro area’s homeless families. To learn more, FamilyHomestead.com.

Warren Village is a nonpro t that has three residential communities that o er transitional housing to single parents in need. It has a two-generation approach to end the cycle of poverty and empower families to reach self-su ciency. Warren Village of-

East Colfax Cultural District

e Tiger Kim’s Academy of Taekwondo and Tang Soo Do building at 7000 E. Colfax Ave. in Denver’s Montclair neighborhood now dons a new mural.

e mural is thanks to a partnership between Tiger Kim’s Academy and e Fax Partnership, a nonpro t that supports the East Colfax community in Denver and Aurora. e mural is meant to re ect the East Colfax Cultural District’s commitment to preserving and supporting cultural diversity and recognizing the district’s

SEE MISCELLANEOUS, P3

Nonprofit Infrastructure Grant Program

Colorado’s Department of Local A airs is seeking small nonpro t applicants for its Nonpro t Infrastructure Grant Program.

e program is a statewide grant program for small, community-based, nonpro t organizations with annual budgets between $150,000 and $2,000,000 that provide services to communities that have historically been underrepresented, underserved or under-resourced. e grant is not for programming, but provides for other needs such as strategic planning, professional development for board and sta , technology, etc.

A total of $33,100,000 in grants will be awarded, with selected organizations awarded up to $100,000.

To apply, interested applicants should contact their geographically-appointed Regional Access Partner directly for technical assistance and to learn more about the process, criteria and funding.

e application will open on July 5 and close on Aug. 31.

To learn more, visit dlg.colorado.gov/nonprofit-infrastructure-grant-program.

RiNo Art District

MISCELLANEOUS

unique characteristics, states a news release.

In October 2022, e Fax Partnership hired Denver artist Sammiotzi (Sam) Hutch-Ouranos to start the logo development process for the East Colfax Cultural District. With input from the community, the nal logo was chosen and unveiled on March 8. A community logo mural painting event took place on June 3, during which residents and business owners gathered to celebrate community and showcase its collective creativity.

To learn more about e Fax Partnership, visit thefaxdenver.com.

Photo courtesy of e Fax Partnership.

Historic Auraria Consortium

e Auraria Higher Education Center, which is the state agency that stewards the Auraria Campus, has created the Historic Auraria Consortium to develop and execute a strategy to honor and celebrate the heritage of the Indigenous tribal nations that once called the area home.

e consortium’s rst project will be to create and oversee a longterm stewardship plan for Ninth Street Historic Park. Other initiatives

include developing a historical archive of Ninth Street Park, fostering collaboration with impacted community members and establishing healing spaces. e goal is to amplify the stories of displaced Aurarian and Indigenous communities and reconcile the history of Auraria while creating a space for information, connection and healing.

e Historic Auraria Consortium will be composed of campus and community partners, to include community members who represent the displaced and Indigenous Aurarian communities, representatives from Auraria’s four institutions, and collaborators from the Colorado legislature, History Colorado, Downtown Denver Partnership and Historic Denver. David Olguín will serve as the cultural and community engagement director to spearhead the strategic initiatives.

Auraria Higher Education Center — also known as Auraria Campus — is a 150-acre dynamic and vibrant campus located in downtown Denver. It is shared by three separate and distinct institutions of higher learning: Community College of Denver, the University of Colorado Denver and Metropolitan State University of Denver. It is also home to several cultural attractions including museums, 9th Street Historic Park, St. Cajetan’s church and more. Learn more at ahec.edu.

David Olguín. Courtesy photo. which is in the northern area of Denver’s Five Points neighborhood.

NEW OPENINGS

e new venue o ers a exible, a ordable performance venue for a variety of programming and private events, including the performing arts, nonpro ts and the broader community. It can seat 200 people and can accommodate a crowd of 450 standing with its ground- oor and mezzanine areas. It boasts

a high-barreled wood ceiling, a modular seating stage and doors that open into the Arkins Park greenspace.

e project was made possible through a partnership between Denver Parks & Recreation and the RiNo Art District. To learn more about the new venue, including upcoming performances and events, visit rinoartpark.com/ exibleuseperformingartsspace.

e June 22 ribbon cutting for a new community and performing arts venue in Arkins Park. Photo by Joseph Freemond.

Polly Coleman, a 97-year-old volunteer at Saint Joseph Hospital, and her granddaughter, Sarah Owen, Saint Joseph Hospital’s director of service excellence, walk the red carpet to celebrate Coleman’s 20,000 hours and 32 years of volunteering at the hospital. Story on page 3.

PHOTO BY CHRISTY STEADMAN

FROM PAGE 2

FROM PAGE 2

Hospital volunteer, 97, hits 20,000 hours

BY CHRISTY STEADMAN CSTEADMAN@COLORADOCOMMUNITYMEDIA.COM

Polly Coleman donned a huge smile as she walked into Saint Joseph Hospital to begin her volunteer shift.

Coleman celebrated her 97th birthday the day before. But as she entered the hospital on June 20, about 30 sta and volunteers gathered to celebrate her for a different milestone — Coleman had completed 20,000 hours of volunteer work at the hospital over the course of 32 years.

“Volunteers are a big part of what we do here at the hospital,” said Yusuf Hassan, director of volunteers and guest services for the hospital. “She believes in our mission (and) she loves giving back.”

Coleman, of Broom eld, started volunteering at the hospital in Denver’s City Park West neighborhood because she knew she wanted to stay active and involved after retirement. Also, her dad had a friend that was chief of surgery at the time.

So, she began in 1991. Since then,

Polly Coleman, 97, wears her celebratory tiara as she organizes the stu ed animals in the gift shop at Saint Joseph Hospital, where she currently volunteers. Hospital sta threw Coleman a surprise celebration on June 20 to commemorate her 20,000 hours and 32 years of volunteering at Saint Joseph Hospital.

PHOTO BY CHRISTY STEADMAN SEE VOLUNTEER, P5

VOLUNTEER

Coleman has volunteered in the surgery waiting room, as a board member, as an event co-chair, as a mentor and trainer, and much more.

Hassan recalled that Coleman loves serving at the hospital so much that during the COVID-19 shutdowns — when nobody but patients and sta were allowed in hospitals — Coleman was one who called every day asking when she’d be able to come back.

Currently, Coleman spends two days a week in the hospital’s gift shop.

“It’s because of love,” Coleman

said. “I love what I do.”

Supporting Saint Joseph Hospital has become somewhat of a tradition for Coleman’s family, as there are three generations who dedicate time. Coleman’s granddaughter, Sarah Owen, started volunteering at the hospital when she was 12, simply to be able to hang out with her grandmother. Today, Owen serves as the hospital’s director of service excellence.

“She’s always had a heart for giving,” Owen said of her grandmother. “Hospitals can be stressful, (but) she’s like a little ray of sunshine.”

Coleman’s daughter, Dianne Montanari, has been volunteering at the hospital for about ve years. Her service began after she retired from a career as a sixth-grade aide with

the Je erson County School District.

“You get more from life if you give back,” Montanari said.

Coleman has an active life, Owen said. She is part of a bridge club, she’s involved with a variety of committees, church and a close-knit family.

“But the two days a week she comes to the hospital gives her an additional sense of purpose,” Owen said. “She’s there (in the gift shop) with a smile, getting to know everyone.”

e hospital hosts a variety of volunteers — people who dedicate their time to do everything from communion to pet therapy. e hospital has about 162 active volunteers who, combined, provide an average of 1,500 hours per month. is

equals the work of nine-and-a-half full-time employees and pay value equivalent to $50,000, Hassan said. e gift shop is run completely by volunteers, and since 2012, it has invested $1.33 million into the hospital, Hassan said.

He added that while Coleman’s 32 years is the longest out of all the volunteers, there are about 10 who have been volunteering at Saint Joseph Hospital for more than 20 years, and several more who have been volunteering at the hospital for more than 10 years. Nine volunteers are former employees.

e volunteers are “extremely valuable,” Hassan said. “And not only the dollar value. Just their presence alone makes such a di erence.”

If your home is enrolled in the Lead Reduction Program, be sure to use the water pitcher and lter provided for drinking, cooking and preparing infant formula. Boiling water does not remove lead, so lter rst.

A crowd of Saint Joseph Hospital’s volunteers, sta and caregivers surround Polly Coleman outside of the gift shop on June 20 to celebrate Coleman’s 20,000 hours of volunteering at the hospital.

PHOTOS BY CHRISTY STEADMAN

Three generations celebrate Polly Coleman’s 32 years of volunteering at Saint Joseph Hospital in Denver. Coleman, center, is pictured with her daughter Dianne Montanari, and her granddaughter, Sarah Owen.

VOICES

From Cañon City crime reporter to your editor: my 10-years so far as a journalist

Th e other day, I was bingewatching some “Dateline” reruns and one of the episodes that came on was about a story that I had also covered early in my career.

It was about a man whose first wife died suspiciously when a car fell on top of her as she was changing a tire. A judge ruled it was an accident – and questions arose when the man was accused (and later convicted) of murdering his second wife while hiking in Rocky Mountain National Park.

It got me thinking about all the stories I’ve told and edited through my years as a journalist. Then it dawned on me that I have a special anniversary this month. July marks a decade as a full-time journalist.

The prelude to my career was a short internship under the guidance of Rowena Alegria, who was the editor and publisher of the now-folded Viva Colorado newspaper. Alegria is still serving the community as the founder and director of the Denver Office of Storytelling. Then there was my three-month internship abroad in Madrid, Spain, in which I wrote for a small website company that helped people settle abroad. On my return, my journalism career began in earnest, in the summer of 2013, in Cañon City, Colorado. Wow, I got to cover some interesting stories right from the start. I

FROM THE EDITOR

to Dr. David VanSickle, the neurosurgeon who performed my dad’s deep brain stimulation surgery to alleviate some of his Parkinson’s symptoms.

Christy Steadman

was the cops-andcrime reporter for the Cañon City Daily Record. No, I did not tour the “Alcatraz of the Rockies’’ in Florence, but I reported my fair share of county court proceedings, including some heinous crimes, ranging from arson and theft to rape and murder. My friends in Denver always asked me to bring them newspapers when I visited because the true crime I reported on was up to par with anything fictional. Though I loved my job in Cañon City, I had a hard time making friends out there, with it being a small town and most of the people I was exposed to were those in the courthouse being accused of some sort of felonious criminal activity. So, after about a year, I found out that Colorado Community Media was hiring a reporter for the Highlands Ranch Herald. I applied, got the job, and came back to the Denver area.

Highlands Ranch was full of great stories, as it is today. I vividly remember covering a pink chair painting effort for breast cancer awareness. I also met a Holocaust survivor. And, I did a story about the woman who ultimately led me

Then I moved to my next adventure, reporting for another CCM newspaper, the Golden Transcript. I fell in love with Golden, and have so many fond memories, from Buffalo Bill Days and Colorado Whitewater’s kayak rodeos to the Candlelight Walk and holiday parades. Of course, there was also a good dose of news from city council and planning and zoning issues. I covered the discovery of Baculite fossils during the Linking Lookout road construction project. I got to know a lot about Golden’s small businesses and breweries, local Sherpas (during the April 2015 Nepal earthquake), county issues and the history of the Transcript on its 150th anniversary. I recall the opening of a time capsule and putting newspapers with my stories in it for the next time it’s opened. And there’s more. I flew in a WWII fighter jet, reported on the USA Pro Challenge’s inaugural women’s cycling race, and covered Coors, skate park renovations, the Golden Lions Club, Colorado School of Mines. I could go on and on.

Then came another opportunity when the former editor of CCM’s monthlies (Life on Capitol Hill

and Washington Park Profile) announced she was moving out-ofstate. I was encouraged to apply and it was probably the hardest decision I’ve made thus far in my career because it meant leaving Golden. But, ultimately, I did so for three main reasons: 1) I already knew I loved Denver. Who doesn’t?

2) I would get to learn new skills as an editor. And, 3) I was staying local, so I could visit Golden anytime I wanted.

Little did I know that COVID was on its way and three months later, would lock down the entire world.

Denver welcomed me with socially-distanced open arms, as only Denver could. It’s exciting to be celebrating my 10 years with readers of Life on Capitol Hill and the Washington Park Profile. It’s fun to share the stories of the local artists and authors whose works offer joy and education to all. I enjoy learning about the nonprofits that work tirelessly to make Denver be the best that it can be. I love telling the stories of neighbors who care so deeply about their community.    And I’m looking forward to the many more stories to come — and always welcome tips from you.  Being a journalist is the best job there is, in my opinion, because it’s everything one could ask for in a career. It’s rewarding. It’s challenging. It’s exciting. I wouldn’t change it for anything.

Bringing experienced Coloradans back to campus to explore what’s next

Most people think of college as a place to go at the beginning of your career. e University of Colorado Denver is reimagining higher education as a place for people at the end of their primary working years as well.

A new CU Denver program called Change Makers brings experienced professionals who are approaching,

or already in, retirement back to college for a semester to explore possibilities, retool and renew their purpose.

Midlife is lled with transitions, not all of them easy. e good news is that at this stage of life, people’s experience, skills and wisdom have never been greater — or more needed in the world.

New options for a new life stage

Longer lifespans due to health advances in the last century have led sociologists to de ne a whole new life stage — an average of an extra 30 years after the family-raising,

LINDA SHAPLEY Publisher lshapley@coloradocommunitymedia.com

profession-building years. Yet careers are often still expected to end when people are in their 60s, with ripple e ects on those in their 50s.

Choices at this stage have traditionally been full-time work or fulltime leisure. But many people are now looking at retirement di erently than previous generations did; they want something in between.

Some need to continue earning a salary. Others are interested in staying engaged, and in giving back to their communities. is represents a huge untapped resource for our community.

Here is where higher education

LINDSAY NICOLETTI Operations/ Circulation

is beginning to step in. e CU Denver Change Makers program, in particular, helps older adults explore possibilities for using their wisdom in a new, ful lling context.

Inaugural program concludes

Changing careers can be tumultuous, especially for those at midlife and beyond. It helps not to go it alone. at’s what the rst Change Makers participants found. For one semester beginning in January, they learned and collaborated with others to explore their next chapters.

Columnists & Guest Commentaries

Manager

lnicoletti@coloradocommunitymedia.com

MICHAEL

DE YOANNA Editor-in-Chief michael@coloradocommunitymedia.com

CHRISTY STEADMAN Editor csteadman@coloradocommunitymedia.com

ERIN ADDENBROOKE Marketing Consultant eaddenbrooke@coloradocommunitymedia.com

AUDREY BROOKS Business Manager abrooks@coloradocommunitymedia.com

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.

Michelle Marks

Navigating summer vacation with kids: survive or thrive?

Summer break is upon us. For parents, this means a muchneeded break from cramming activities and school into a day that simply doesn’t contain enough hours, and a break from the school emails that add even more to your to-do list. For kiddos, a break from homework and early wake-up times. However, the prospect of keeping kids entertained and maintaining some semblance of order can be overwhelming. Add in trying to navigate camp registration mayhem that rivals getting tickets to Taylor Swift, only to then have to put all of those moving pieces into one streamlined and e cient calendar — well, it’s a lot, and frankly doesn’t always feel like that much of a break. Ensure your family thrives this summer (not just survives) with the helpful tips below.

The power of routines

During the school year, kids thrive on the structure provided by their daily routines. Summer vacation disrupts this structure, potentially leading to restlessness and boredom — and I think it’s safe to say that hearing “I’m bored” from your kids can be triggering.

Start and end each day with a consistent wake-up time and

bedtime. Keep hygiene routines the same. e more these routines stay somewhat similar to the school year, the less adjustment and struggles you’ll have getting back into the swing of things in the fall.

Divide the day into structured time blocks for various activities. is can include dedicated time for learning, outdoor play, creative activities, quiet time and family time. Setting aside speci c times for di erent activities provides a sense of consistency as well as regular scenery changes. Having these blocks doesn’t mean you have to have activities to ll every minute. Give kids some ownership of how to ll the time via a weekly family meeting to plan the upcoming week. Less mental load for parents and more engagement from kids equals a win-win.

Maintaining regular meal times is also a huge help in creating a summer routine. Meal planning can be a lot, even when parents aren’t having to plan three meals a day plus snacks, but giving your kids an opportunity to contribute to the meal plan is a great way to lighten the load. Tired of hearing, “I don’t like that?” Have everyone put their favorite meals in a jar so you can just grab and plug them in, depersonalizing the choice and minimizing disagreements.

Engaging activities for summer

Make the most of the warm weather by engaging in outdoor activities. Like recess, but di erent. Plan family hikes, picnics or visits to local parks. Encouraging kids to

explore nature, go for bike rides, take ownership of daily dog walks, play in the water — anything to get outside and enjoy some Vitamin D. If there are struggles to decide what to do, using the same meal option trick works well as the element of surprise overcomes complaints — hopefully.

Summer vacation doesn’t mean learning should take a backseat. Make a bucket list of local museums, libraries or science centers to visit. Game nights for some quality non-screen time also keeps minds sharp. You’ve heard of chore charts, but reading charts in the summer are a great option, too. A throwback to Pizza Hut Book-It, anyone? I’m an especially huge fan of journaling to capture the day, and highly suggest making a point to capture some gratitude as well.

Set up a designated art area at home where kids can paint, draw or engage in crafts. We say the mess is worth it — mostly, unless slime is involved!

When it’s too much

We live in a world of doing it all at all costs, and the reality is we need to shift that narrative. Asking for help is OK. Taking a break is OK. Not doing everything on your list is OK. Need a quick self-care moment or run errands sans kids? Form a

baby-sitting co-op. Babysitters are saviors, but they also come at a cost and can be hard to nd. One solution is to form a co-op with friends or neighbors.

Reading this and still wondering where you’ll nd all the time? We get it, we highly recommend checking out TULA — your personal assistant and/or personal chef at the touch of a button, ready to take over your to-do list so you can focus on the fun.

Survive or thrive?

There will be days, even hours, when it feels like you’re both surviving and thriving in equal, and sometimes less-than-equal parts, and that’s OK. Navigating summer vacation with kids can be a joyful and rewarding experience when approached with the right mindset, but it’s totally normal to feel overwhelmed, too. Give yourself a break, give your kids a break. Giving grace, leaning into flexibility and shooting for a bit of balance will serve everyone well and make for a summer of fun and memories.

Megan Trask and Cody Galloway are Denver residents and co-founders of TULA Life Balanced. Learn more about their business at tulabalanced.com.

With professional backgrounds ranging from engineering and law to journalism and teaching, these 17 Change Makers fellows had honed a range of skills and talents. ey came to the program ready for a change — to use that hard-earned expertise in new ways, for new jobs or meaningful volunteering. And they left with new perspectives, friends and ideas for envisioning and plotting their next step.

On campus, again

e group met twice a week, inperson and virtually. Drawing on readings, group discussions and guest-speaker presentations, they looked at what’s worked and hasn’t in their lives, what’s made the encore years meaningful for others, and the pathways, obstacles and opportunities they face in designing a meaningful next chapter. One fellow told us that part of the power of the program is the collective connections that participants o er each other.

Fellows engaged with guest speakers on topics ranging from personal storytelling to combatting ageism to the power of intergenerational connection. ose who also audited academic classes — from modernist art to human-centered design — were inspired by interesting professors and the diversity of thought that comes from learning with a mixed-age group.

ey told us the program helped spark ideas and new ways of thinking about their next chapter. And they’re already planning to continue meeting monthly to keep the conversation going.

e program is now accepting applications for the fall semester that begins in August.

Providing participants with the time, space and support to think about what they want next is something universities have traditionally done for people at the start of their careers. Why not later in life as well?

Michelle Marks is the chancellor of the University of Colorado Denver. Learn more about the Change Makers program at ucdenver.edu/ change-makers.

Megan Trask and Cody Galloway

Colorado Housing and Finance Authority’s (CHFA’s) mission is to strengthen Colorado by investing in affordable housing and community development. We believe everyone in Colorado should have the opportunity for housing stability and economic prosperity.

We appreciate the opportunity to get to know you.

Celize with her family, CHFA homeownership customer, Colorado Springs

Denver Museum of Nature & Science’s mobile Curiosity Cruiser brings education to all

BY CLARKE READER SPECIAL TO COLORADO COMMUNITY MEDIA

Wh en the Denver Museum of Nature & Science was looking for different ways to engage with the community, staff kept receiving a similar request through its community outreach.

Feedback included statements such as: “We love going to the museum, but we will love it more if it comes to us” and “Can you imagine the museum showing up in our neighborhood like an ice cream truck, but with science?”

“These comments inspired us to explore ways to bring the museum experience directly to the neighborhoods, making it more accessible and convenient,” said Daniel Ville, the museum’s manager for community engagement.

The newly launched Curiosity Cruiser is the museum’s response to these requests. It is a kind of museum on wheels — one that brings activities and education to the inquisitive of all ages.

“There was a massive amalgamation of ideas, prototyping, design, redesign and collaboration, with not just our internal staff and partners,” said Zack Garvin, community event specialist. “We did our homework with the community as well. So, the Curiosity Cruiser was designed for multigenerational groups involving adults and families.”

Currently the Cruiser has three different exhibits to offer visitors: Wonder-osity, Flavorology and Spicy: Revealed. Experts travel with the vehicle to connect with visitors and run the exhibits.

Wonder-osity provides participants with the opportunity to solve a mystery centered on missing hikers, and encourages critical thinking and the power of keeping an open mind. Flavorology immerses participants in the world of the five tastes — bitter, spicy, umami, sweet and sour — to teach about the differences between taste and flavor. And Spicy: Revealed delves into the science behind spicy foods and flavors.

“There are so many basic things that people do all day, everyday with fascinating scientific explanations,” Garvin said. “Our three themes explore how you interact with the world around you and understanding it through the scientific method.”

Designed to be highly mobile and adaptable, the cruiser has already appeared at events such as Adams County Pride, the Juneteenth Music Festival and Denver PrideFest. In addition

Look for the Denver Museum of Nature & Science’s Curiosity Cruiser at these summer events in Denver:

Cherry Creek Arts Festival

July 2: 10:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.

Colorado Black Arts Festival (City Park West)

July 7-8: 3-8 p.m.

July 9: 2-7 p.m.

Family Nature Adventure Day at Bluff Lake

July 15: 10 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.

Mile High Flea Market

Aug. 6: 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Huerta Urbana Farmers Market

Aug. 11: 2-6 p.m.

Cherry Creek Farmers Market

Aug. 19: 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Find more information on the cruiser, including stops that are outside of Denver, at dmns.org.

to large community events like these, it can also be brought to smaller-scale happenings like block parties and breweries.

“The activities offered on the Curiosity Cruiser are carefully crafted to ensure they appeal to a wide range of interests and abilities,” Ville said. “From fun personality quizzes to hands-on experiments, the experiences provided are designed to spark curiosity, foster learning and encourage active participation.”

Not only does the cruiser meet residents where they are, it also provides a critical service by demystifying scientific concepts and offering informal ways to learn about complicated concepts.

“Providing everyone with the understanding that you, too, are indeed a scientist — by very definition — can help inspire and foster creativity,” Garvin said. “Everyone deserves to know just how brilliant they are. If we can come bring that to your neighborhood, all the better.”

It isn’t often that an institution like the DMNS can respond directly to community feedback and meet people exactly where they are, but the Curiosity Cruiser allows the museum to do both.

“The Curiosity Cruiser’s content has been thoughtfully created to address community voices and provide welcoming spaces,” Ville said. “The goal is to leave people with smiles on their faces, fostering a love for learning, and nurturing their curiosity for the world around them.”

A group of people participate in an activity inside the Denver Museum of Nature & Science’s Curiosity Cruiser last year.

PHOTO BY JULIO POLETTI/DENVER MUSEUM OF NATURE & SCIENCE

Mile High Happenings is a monthly column featuring community events in Denver, highlighting events in the central and central-south neighborhoods covered by the Washington Park Profile and Life on Capitol Hill newspapers.

Event submissions from community members and local organizations are welcome. Submissions should include brief details about the

June 9-Aug. 13

Code Blue: The Ocean

Time: Gallery hours: 1-4 p.m. Thursday through Sunday, 5-9 p.m. First Fridays, 5-8 p.m. Third Fridays.

Location: Niza Knoll Gallery, 915 Santa Fe Drive, Denver.

Cost: Free.

Running in conjunction with National Ocean Month, “Code Blue: e Ocean” is an exhibition featuring artwork inspired by the ocean, marine life and coral reefs. It is a collaboration of seven local artists: Victoria Eubanks, Judy Gardner, Deborah Jang, Shari Regenbogen, Bonnie Ferrill Roman, Rik Sargent and Caitlin Zeller. A meet the artists reception takes place from 5-8 p.m. June 16. Conversation and stories about coral reefs with Shari Regenbogen Ross, an artist and coral crusader, takes place from 2-3 p.m. Aug. 6. More information/reservations: nizaknollgallery.com

“Coral Reef” by Rik Sargent. Photo courtesy of an online press kit from Niza Knoll Gallery.

July 9 and Aug. 6

¡Viva! Streets Denver

Time: 8 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Location: Broadway from Alameda to 20th Street, and Welton Street from 20th Street to Five Points.

Cost: Free.

Being put on by the Downtown Denver Partnership and the City and County of Denver, this new, family-friendly event entails closing about 3.5 miles of Broadway and Welton Street so people can enjoy local neighborhoods, businesses and entertainment while walking, biking, rolling, jogging, scooting and dancing in car-free streets. ¡Viva! Streets Denver dates are May 14, June 4, July 9 and Aug. 6. More information/reservations: vivastreetsdenver.com.

event and a photo or event logo. Deadline is the 20th of each month for the event to be listed the following month. Submissions can be emailed to Christy Steadman at csteadman@coloradocommunitymedia.com.

For more Mile High Happenings, visit lifeoncaphill.com or washparkprofile.com.

July 21

Candlelight concert: A Tribute to Selena at St. Cajetan’s

Time: 6:15 p.m. and 8:30 p.m.

Location: St. Cajetan’s on Auraria Campus, 101 Lawrence Way, Denver.

Cost: $35-$60

Candlelight concerts are a multisensory live music experience. is one will feature the music of Selena performed by e Adelaide Band. e concert is for ages 8 and older, and attendees younger than 16 must be accompanied by an adult. More information/reservations: feverup.com/en/denver/candlelight Image courtesy of the Candlelight Concerts in Denver webpage on the feverup.com website.

July

Colfax Indie Bash andIndependents Day

Time: Varies.

Location: Colfax Avenue in Denver.

Cost: Free.

There are two events that celebrate everything local that are happening on Colfax Avenue from July 20-23. The weekend will kick with Colfax Indie Bash from 6-9 p.m. July 20 at Bruz Off Fax, 1495 York St. in Denver. This event will highlight food and drinks from local businesses, live music, art and the annual Characters of Colfax awards. This is a free event, but RSVPs are required. Independents Day takes place July 21-23. This event includes local businesses offering specials and promotions, pop-ups from local artists and performers, and a scavenger hunt that provides a tour of the latest public art. More information/reservations: colfaxave.com/ independents-day

Visible Planets: Renowned Rappers and their Visual Art

Time: Varies.

Location: Bitfactory Gallery, 851 Santa Fe Dr., Denver.

Cost: Free entry for the art show, concert tickets sold separately.

is show is the brainchild of Denver-based visual artist Dan Drossman and rapper Homeboy Sandman of New York, and features a variety of artists and rappers for a two-day event that includes an art show and concert. e free opening reception for the art show takes place at 6 p.m. July 21. e main two-day event takes place beginning on Aug. 4 with the free Visible Planets Art Show Artist Reception from 6-9 p.m. at Bitfactory Gallery. e Visible Planets Hip-Hop Show takes place at 8 p.m. Aug. 5 at Herman’s Hideaway, 1578 S. Broadway, in Denver. Concert tickets cost $35 if purchased in advance and $40 on day of show. Tickets can be purchased online at HermansHideway.com. e concert is an 18+ event. e event is sponsored by KGNU, Artist Proof Collective, Abstract Denver and Ashley Garrett.

More information/reservations: bitfactory.net; @ visibleplanets2023 on Instagram

Homeboy Sandman, left, and Dan Drossman stand in front of a mural by Drossman located at Herbal Cure, 985 S. Logan St. in Denver’s Washington Park West neighborhood. Photo by Tatiana Borda.

July 22-23

Colorado Dragon Boat Festival

Time: The festival takes place from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. on July 22, and 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on July 23. Race start time is 8 a.m.

Location: Sloan’s Lake Park, 5055 W. 17th Ave., Denver.

Cost: Free.

e Colorado Dragon Boat Festival is an annual event in its 23rd year celebrating Asian and AsianAmerican heritage. In addition to the boat races, the festival will include live art demos, three stages of performing arts and live music, the Asian Marketplace featuring a variety of vendors and crafts, and the Taste of Asia food vendor booths.

More information/reservations: cdbf.org

Image courtesy of the Colorado Dragon Boat Festival’s website. Artwork by Jamison “Jamey” Padilla.

July 29

Denver Arts & Venues Cultural Runway Series: FashionAbility

Time: 7 p.m.

Location: McNichols Civic Center Building, 144 W. Colfax Ave., Denver.

Cost: VIP $44.80; General Admission Rows 2-3 $25.40; General Admission Standing $8.80 (as listed on tix.axs.com)

is Cultural Runway Series fashion show will highlight clothing designed with ability and disability in mind. It will showcase designs by Lexie Bader, Rachael Levine and Rob Hill. A Vendor Market is included, which will feature o erings by artists and designers with disabilities. is fashion show coincides with the “Vibrant Accessibility” exhibit, which is free and open to the public, and runs through Aug. 27.

More information/reservations: mcnicholsbuilding.com

Image courtesy of the Denver Arts & Venues Cultural Runway Series’ webpage.

July 29

History Colorado’s Tours and Treks: The Wonders of the Whittier Neighborhood Walking Tour

Time: 9-11 a.m.

Location: Whittier neighborhood in Denver.

Cost: $40 nonmembers, $30 for members. is walking tour will explore Denver’s Whittier neighborhood and the numerous changes of its cultural and economic makeup over the decades. It is a moderate walking tour that includes about two miles on streets, easy trails and climbing stairs. Attendees will provide their own transportation to the starting location.

More information/reservations: historycolorado.org/toursand-treks

Aug. 4-6

Denver Days

Time: Varies.

Location: Multiple.

Cost: Free.

July 29-30

VegFest Colorado

Time: 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. July 29, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. July 30

Location: Tivoli Quad on Auraria Campus, 1000 Larimer St., Denver.

Cost: Varies (daily, weekend and weekend VIP passes available)

VegFest Colorado celebrates “plant-based living, respect for our planet, sustainability and kindness toward our fellow earthlings,” states its website. is all-vegan event will feature more than 100 vendors and no animal products of any kind will be sold, served or sampled.

More information/reservations: vegfestco. com

Logo courtesy of the VegFest Colorado website.

Aug. 1

History Colo- rado: Colorado Day!

Time: 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Location: History Colorado Center, 1200 N. Broadway, Denver.

Cost: Free.

History Colorado is inviting the community to a free, family-friendly event to celebrate the state’s 147th birthday. (Colorado entered the Union on Aug. 1, 1876.) e carnivalesque celebration will include arts and crafts, live music, snacks, alpacas and much more.

More information/reservations: historycolorado.org

Image courtesy of the event’s page on History Colorado’s website.

Getting its start about 11 years ago, Denver Days is a time for neighbors to connect and get to know each other. Events take place across the city and can include block parties, community picnics and small-area service projects, for example. ose wanting to host a Denver Days event must register their event by July 21. (Permit fees for park picnics and block parties are waived.) ose wanting to attend a Denver Days event can nd a list of registered events on the webpage below.

More information/reservations: tinyurl.com/DenverDays2023

Logo courtesy of the Denver Days 2023 webpage on the city’s website.

BY BRUCE GOLDBERG

Jenny Wood was on a healthy workout schedule. She walked almost daily and occasionally hit the gym.

“But in the last several years, I had orthopedic issues,” said Wood, 63, a retired pediatrician who lives in Denver. “It seemed I was chronically doing rehab and physical therapy.”

Wood has had several surgeries since 2019, including two hip replacements and for injuries caused by breaking a kneecap and a wrist.

She realized she needed to become stronger. Almost-daily walks and occasional visits to the gym weren’t going to be enough anymore.

So she began working out at the University Hills-Schlessman YMCA at 3901 E. Yale Ave. in Denver, and found Amy Ventura, a senior manager for community well-being who’s also been a personal trainer for three years.

“I went to Amy at my husband’s suggestion because he had started (working with) her,” Wood said. “He found Amy to

Jenny Wood works out at the University Hills-Schlessman YMCA in Denver.

PHOTO COURTESY OF THE YMCA OF METRO DENVER

A LETTER TO OUR READERS AND ADVERTISERS

To our supporters:

At Colorado Community Media, we’re proud to be your go-to source of local news and advertising in the rich tapestry of growing communities in the Denver metro area and beyond. In recent weeks, we’ve brought you the news of spring ooding and its a ermath, the growing number of property valuation appeals and celebrations surrounding the Nuggets’ historic win.

We know our subscribers appreciate getting their news in many ways, from digital newsletters to timely updates on our website to printed newspapers delivered to your door. We’re committed to ensuring that continues, even as the media industry evolves and faces challenges.

We recently learned the facility that prints all of CCM’s newspapers, located in Pueblo, will be closing in August. In recent years, as newspaper circulation has declined, the costs associated with printing and distributing newspapers have increased dramatically, forcing press facilities across the country to close or consolidate.

is press closure presents a challenge for us, to be sure, but our commitment to continuing to print the newspapers you depend on remains unwavering. We have not yet identi ed a solution to ful ll the demand starting in August, but we are determined to nd innovative ways to solve it.

And we aren’t alone: We’re working toward a long-term approach by collaborating with partners throughout Colorado. By joining forces, we believe we can identify solutions that not only address this immediate challenge but also provide for future viability.

What does this mean for our subscribers and advertisers? Our goal is to nd a solution that ensures a seamless transition for your reader experience. We are evaluating every available option, and we are committed to keeping you informed as we go through this process.

We’re proud to be part of your community, and we know news plays an essential role in informing, engaging and empowering us. Please consider joining our mailing list, sharing articles, or donating to to help us continue this tradition.

ank you, as always, for your support of local news. We welcome questions and comments, and we’ll be sure to keep you informed in the weeks ahead as we identify a new printer.

Linda Shapley

Elizabeth Hansen Shapiro Publisher, Colorado Community Media CEO, e National Trust for Local News

HILL SERVICE DIRECTORY

The Black Millennial Mom Podcast wraps up season one

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

At the height of the pandemic in 2020, Denver-based radio personality Mercedes Howard was pregnant with her rst child. She was living in Denver, but most of her family was in California where she grew up. Like many people around the world during quarantine, Howard found the experience isolating and lonely. On top of the uncertainness that came with the COVID-19

pandemic, Howard was trying to maneuver her rst pregnancy journey without a support system and was feeling scared about the future. erefore, she often turned to TikTok and Google for pregnancy and parenting advice. She found that many pregnant millennial women her age were going through the same struggle. is sparked the idea for Howard to begin a podcast that focuses on millennial moms of color.

“Many millennial mothers I have met are the rst in their inner circle

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to actually have a child, and their relationships with close friends has now become distant, leaving them to feel more alone,” said Howard. “Other moms I know are struggling with the internal feeling of not being able to provide in the current economy — some being single and having to do a balancing act with parenting, work and sometimes school. In my opinion, the pressure that I have seen in this generation for moms has essentially increased by thousands.”

e Black Millennial Mom Podcast

All-Time Grilling Faves

promotes discussion about parenting, pregnancy and millennial BIPOC moms.

“When we create spaces where moms in BIPOC communities share their experiences and assist each other along the way, we nurture greater access to valuable tools and support systems that bene t so many parents and caregivers across Colorado,” said Wendy Allen, manager of Rocky Mountain PBS Kids, in a news release.

To learn more about The Black Millennial Mom Podcast, visit Rocky Mountain PBS Kids at rmpbs.org/ kids/bmmpodcast/ You can also hear Mercedes Howard on her show, “Chilling With Ya Girl Cedes,” from 10 a.m. to 2:59 p.m. on Denver’s 104.7 The Drop. To learn more about her show, visit thedrop303.org/ members/ya-girlcedes/ Follow Mercedes Howard on Instagram, Facebook and Twitter: @yagirlcedes SEE

Mercedes Howard, center, talks with Jay Cain, left, and “Co” Courtney Hysaw about being millennial dads. The two dads were guests on Howard’s The Black Millennial Mom Podcast. COURTESY OF ROCKY MOUNTAIN PUBLIC MEDIA

PODCAST

Howard wanted to bring her personal Black experience to the podcasting world. So instead of creating just another mommy-centric podcast, she wanted to create a space for BIPOC women to have safe, informative discussions on issues that are prevalent in the community.

“I think it’s important to have Black representation in podcasting because it opens the doors and provides resources to my community that often can be hard to obtain.

YMCA

be encouraging and she has a nice way of progressing through di erent exercises that didn’t get really boring.”

Ventura put together a tness program for Wood, who soon felt the bene ts: She was stronger, more energetic and just happier overall. It also helped that Wood felt support, and returned it to more and more YMCA members, fostering a sense of community.

Ventura has seen this dynamic numerous times: Frequent workouts helped members make acquaintances and gain encouragement.

“You can witness a change in people, often from the start of a session to

Black reparation in the mommy sphere, especially in Colorado, is essential,” said Howard. “Being able to join forces with Rocky Mountain PBS Kids not only showcases the diversity but opens the doors for women like myself to have outlets and resources they might not have been able to nd before this.”

e podcast just wrapped up its rst season and was a roaring success. Currently, listeners can nd the podcast on YouTube, Google Play, Spotify, Apple Podcasts and the Rocky Mountain PBS Kids website. Howard expects season two of e Black Millennial Mom Podcast will have deeper conversations and

the end of it. People often report they feel better, or their mood feels better, from when they started a session,” said Ventura, 43. “My colleagues also report that when you work with someone over time, you often see them build con dence, and they’re proud of doing what they’re doing, proud of what they’re accomplishing.”

She notes that science is also involved.

“When we move our bodies, we release chemicals such as serotonin and endorphins that help improve our mood and ward o depression,” Ventura said.

Disease prevention is another bene t.

“We have clients who have prevented cardiovascular disease,” Ventura said. “We have patients who are pre-

cover more topics. Howard and her team have been working to add more music artists to their lineup of podcast guests. Listeners will also hear from more resources in the parenting atmosphere here in Colorado, including therapists and daycare representatives.

“ e reaction behind ( e Black Millennial Mom Podcast) has exceeded my expectations,” said Howard. “Women from all over have reached out and given encouraging thoughts and love to me. e conversation about parenting has truly opened my eyes on how everyone’s journey truly does not look the same.”

venting (other) chronic diseases, such as diabetes and heart disease, through exercise.”

e sense of community also helps because “some people want to be to be active with their grandchildren and children,” Ventura said.

Wood and her husband, Vern Berry, are training for a bicycle tour along the Danube River between Germany and Austria.

All the sweat and pushing of weights, and seeing familiar faces on each visit, help build a community mood. People returning to their gyms now following the pandemic has also contributed to the community factor.

e YMCA has many tness programs, such as a free personal wellness plan, access to tness equipment, tness classes, yoga classes,

tness workshops, yoga, TRX, Women on Weights, Pilates and more. ere’s also the Power Your Potential program, which is a 12-week group training experience for people who want the social support to stay motivated and accountable in attaining their tness goals.

“I certainly have better respect for my body and what it can do,” Wood said. “I’ve de nitely gotten stronger and I see the improvements that I need to see in my body.”

“On a smaller scale, I see myself as part of Jenny’s community, part of her support network. I think we all need to take care of ourselves in the best way possible,” Ventura said. And “it does seem that people are consciously making the connection (of exercise and solving depression) more.”

The Black Millennial Mom Podcast host Mercedes Howard, also known as “Ya Girl Cedes” on THE DROP 104.7, at home with her son Kyrie.

COURTESY OF ROCKY MOUNTAIN PUBLIC MEDIA