Washington Park Profile November 2022

DIRT Coffee

A coffee shop that got its start in 2013 as a mobile coffee shop serving the metro area has opened a second brickand-mortar location in east Denver.

DIRT is an acronym for Divergent Inclusive Representation Transforms. DIRT Coffee is a social enterprise that employs and empowers neurodivergent individuals through workforce development programming. By 2021, DIRT Coffee provided more than 1,000 hours of job coaching to more than 30 neurodivergent individuals across five Colorado counties, states its website.

DIRT Coffee’s first brick-and-mortar opened in downtown Littleton in 2018. Its second location is at 1795 Quebec St. in Denver’s Park Hill neighborhood.

To learn more, visit dirtcoffee.org.

Tom’s Starlight

Tom’s Starlight, a reimagination of Tom’s Diner located at 601 E. Colfax Ave., re-opened in late

September.

The once greasy spoon 24-hour diner today offers a renewed dining experience — offering items such as salmon, a steak sandwich and shrimp cocktail, with vegan options available. It also features a robust selection of specialty cocktails, wine and beer.

The iconic building originally opened in 1967 as a White Spot Restaurant, a coffee shop chain that started in Colorado in 1947.

Tom Messina took it over in 1999, and ran it as Tom’s Diner for 20 years.

The building was slated for demolition in 2019, but Messina teamed up with GBX Group LLC to preserve the property and that year, it was listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Messina continues his involvement with the restaurant, serving as its owner and operator.

To learn more about Tom’s Starlight or to make a reservation, visit tomsstarlight.com.

All its other concepts remain open. They are: Rosenberg’s Bagels and Delicatessen, Lou’s Italian Special-

ties and Famous Original J’s Pizza. All have locations in Five Points.

To learn more about Bridge & Tunnel Restaurant Group and its concepts, visit bridgeandtunnelrestaurantgroup.com.

Playground Food Hall

Playground Food Hall recently opened at 950 Broadway, which formerly housed the Broadway Market.

Playground features a collection of six restaurant Asian/Mex concepts, according to its website.

“Our food hall encourages togetherness, light-hearted yet seriously delicious options inspired by Asian cultures,” states its website.

Playground is the brainchild of local owner, Kim Le, according to Westword.

To learn more about Playground, visit eatplayground.com.

Sherry’s Soda Shoppe

Mid October, Westword reported that Bowman’s Vinyl Lounge, 1312 S. Broadway, had closed.

However, the venue appears to have been shuttered for quite some time — its last Facebook post was dated April 22.

April

Sherry’s Soda Shoppe announced on its Facebook in early October that it had closed both its locations, which were in Five Points Denver and Boulder.

Sherry’s ly October its locations, which were Points Boulder. ice cream sweet

The spot for ice cream and other sweet treats had a short run.

“We during the pandemic

“We opened during the pandemic and never really had the chance to succeed for various reasons, including the ongoing labor shortage,” states the Facebook post.

Sherry’s Soda Shoppe was a concept of the Bridge & Tunnel Restaurant Group.

Bowmans

cians and bands, and various events such as music

Bowmans was a live music venue and record shop with a full bar. It hosted local musicians and bands, and various events such as music video bingo and karaoke.

TrashHawk Tavern

TrashHawk Tavern, a dive/sports bar located at 1539 S. Broadway in Denver’s Overland neighborhood celebrated its oneyear anniversary in October.

The watering hole serves as a neighborhood bar, featuring various events, such as trivia and comedy shows. It boasts a varietal food truck lineup.

as trivia and comedy shows. It boasts a

To learn more, visit trashhawktavern. com.

Bowman’s Vinyl Lounge

SCREENSHOT FROM WEBSITE

Denver Preschool Program honors legacies of Grimes and Kantor

The Denver Preschool Program will honor Geraldine “Gerie”

Grimes and Dr. Rebecca Kantor with its new Legacy Award.

Grimes served as the president and CEO of the Clayton neighborhood’s Hope Center, a local nonprofit providing early childhood education for more than 60 years. Grimes advocated for equity in education and has served as a leader with other organizations, including the Denver Early Childhood Council, National Black Child Development Institute Denver Affiliate, the Mayor’s Early Childhood Education Commission and the Denver Preschool Program’s Advisory Board. She was inducted into the Colorado Women’s Hall of Fame in 2018 for her community activism and advocacy. Grimes, who spent more than four decades at Hope Center, passed away in May.

Kantor served as dean of the University of Colorado-Denver’s School of Education & Human Development. She is known as a champion of early childhood education, including roles as a teacher, researcher, professor of teacher education, education policy reform-

er and university administrator. Kantor, who passed away in April of 2021, served on several boards and commissions, including Colorado’s Early Childhood Leadership Commission, and DPP’s board.

“Great strides have been made in early childhood education over the past decade thanks to our dedicated community of preschool teachers, directors and other leaders in this space,” said Elsa Holguin, DPP president and CEO, in a news release. “We’d like to celebrate these successes and honor those who have gone above and beyond to set the standard of early childhood education excellence with this inaugural Denver Preschool Program Legacy Award.”

The annual Legacy Awards were presented on Oct. 25. They were created to recognize local leaders who have devoted their careers to early childhood education.

Created in 2006, DPP works with about 260 preschool providers. It is funded by a sales tax ballot initiative that Denver voters approved in 2014, and every 10 years, the initiative goes back to voters for re-approval.

To learn more about DPP, visit dpp.org.

CORRECTION

Edits were made to the Brown Palace Hotel story that ran in last month’s

CORRECTION

There was a typo in the name of the restaurant at the Denver Art Museum

paper. The updated version can be found online at washparkprofile.com.

in last month’s paper. The correct spelling is The Ponti at Denver Art Museum.

STAFF REPORT

Dr. Rebecca Kantor TORCH

Geraldine “Gerie” Grimes

JAY WEISE

COURTESY IMAGE

MCA Denver shares artists’ creative process

Q&A with Courtney Law

Tell me about the genesis of the podcast.

BY CLARKE READER SPECIAL TO COLORADO COMMUNITY MEDIA

There’s a podcast now for almost everything — listeners can get guidance on tackling mental health challenges, learn about practically any period of history and develop strategies for a fantasy league.

But explaining the creative impulse? That’s a little trickier.

Yet that’s just the task that the Museum of Contemporary Art Denver set for itself with its podcast, “How Art is Born.” Now in its second season, the show features conversations with a range of artists about their process, creativity and more.

The show is hosted by R. Alan Brooks, who teaches graphic novel writing for Regis University’s MFA program and Lighthouse Writers Workshop.

“As the host of this podcast, I get to talk to cool people making cool things. I love discovering how people can bring their art into the world, and the many forms it takes,” Brooks said in a news release. “From what I’ve heard, a lot of our listeners have the same experience, and I’m thankful for that. It’s dope that this show gives me the opportunity to talk with so many lovely and brilliant people.”

We spoke with Courtney Law, MCA Denver’s director of communications, partnerships and digital initiatives, about the podcast, what listeners can expect and more.

In my role at the museum and in thinking of how we want to live in the world outside of our building, I thought that a podcast about how art is made and where ideas come from could live in a space that we don’t really see other podcasts occupying. There are podcasts about art history, how to make a career out of being an artist and things like that, but nothing quite like this. As a consumer and someone who works at a museum, I find stories with creative people about how they make their art really compelling.

What is the podcast about?

Our host, R. Alan Brooks, spends each episode in conversation with one or two artists and they delve deeply into the creative process. And as listeners, we get to bear witness to a really intimate and vulnerable conversation.

What kind of guests have appeared?

In the first season, we largely worked with artists we have an existing relationship with at the museum. But this season, we’ve expanded our network outside of Denver, with someone based in L.A. and couple in Mexico City. We’re reaching further out into the world to have conversations about the process and how to get started. But as a (local) museum, we have a deeply-held value to highlight the work of artists in our community, so that will always be part of the podcast.

What kind of guests are appearing this season?

We have 10 episodes this season, with the goal of releasing new seasons in the spring and the fall. We have musicians, authors, two Meow Wolf artists and a chef. Creativity is often so much broader than what we collectively allow ourselves to think of it as. The guests represent a wide range of art-making

and even within similar mediums, how each person got started, and the barriers they overcame are so personal. Some stories are funny and some are so tender. And Alan is an amazing person, artist and conversationalist. The results are so much more profound than I had expected.

What do you hope listeners come away with?

I hope people are enriched by the conversations, and for many creatives, it may be helpful to hear about others’ experiences. When you’re operating in a vacuum and trying to put out work into the world, it can be really challenging. But when you see others’ successes, it can be inspirational. I hope listeners get connected to the creativity taking place in Colorado and a deeper sense of connection to the creative process in general. Maybe they’ll see themselves in this and explore their own practices in a deeper way.

RACHEL GRAMMES

‘How Art is Born’ returns for second season

BY BRUCE GOLDBERG SPECIAL TO COLORADO COMMUNITY MEDIA

Don’t be surprised when children driven by the lively music at an Inside the Story performance form a conga line and show the adults how it’s done.

“We have had very lively kids jump up on the stage with the teaching artists,” said Shelby Mattingly, executive director of Inside the Orchestra.

Inside the Orchestra is a nonprofit organization that brings orchestra music to children in the Denver area to cultivate music appreciation and strengthen their education. Inside the Story performances fall under the nonprofit’s umbrella.

Performances can combine music, dancing, acting and live storytelling, and the organization calls the show “immersive” because of its unique setup. The orchestra surrounds the children and other attendees, and the conductor faces the audience. The hope is that the kids will be so inspired by the music and the performers that they’ll develop musical interests of their own.

It seems to be working. The kids examine the instruments up close after the performance and ask questions of the musicians and other artists as their curiosity takes over.

The organization recently renewed its fall Tiny Tots in-person series — designed for children 7 and younger and their families — after a three-year hiatus. It began with two 45-minute performances of “A Surprise for Rabbit” on Oct. 22.

Each child at the performance was given a bilingual — English and Spanish — copy of “A Surprise for Rabbit,” which is a storybook written by Denise Vega.

Inside the Orchestra lined up a lot of talent to help with the show. The Lighthouse Writers Workshop and the Art Students League of Denver were partners for the program. Illustrations were provided by Kristina Maldonado Bad Hand and Leah Stephenson. Charles Denler, an Emmy Award-winning composer, created the orchestral score. The Hannah Kahn Dance Company choreographed the dancers. Lo-

Getting kids into music

cal character actor Brian Kusic played the character of the rabbit. Storyteller Iliana Lucero Barron from the Denver Center for the Performing Arts was also involved.

“The cool thing about Inside the Story programs is it’s part of an original work we did with other organizations,” Mattingly said. “So the concerts will be focused on reading this storybook while the musicians play an original symphony written for the book.”

Also planned are holiday concerts set for Dec. 10, 17 and 18, with two performances of Christmas music each day. Teaching artists will narrate the programs thanks to a partnership with DCPA. Circus Foundry will supply break dancers during a song from “The Nutcracker.”

Inside the Orchestra was founded in 1958 and raised grant money for music education programs. The organization’s leaders later saw a need for more active versions for children, leading to its first season in 1985. Today, the organization presents programming all over the Denver area for in-person events and also offers online programming.

Cassandra Tompkin has brought her 2-year-old daughter Emery to several performances and looks forward to when her 1-year-old son Gavin can join them at these events.

“The four that we’ve taken her (Emery) to, she’s really had fun at every one,” Tompkin said. “We stayed after and have been some of the last people to leave because she’s standing there and watching the clarinet, oboe and harp.”

Tompkin said she would love for her daughter to play an instrument someday.

“If she’s not interested, that’s fine — I won’t push her. But I do want her

to have an appreciation for music, for her to understand music outside of current popular music,” Tompkin said. “Overall, I really love Inside the Orchestra, and they do a lot more with schools and community groups beyond what I have experienced.”

Inside the Orchestra allows children to interact with musical instruments and ask questions to the musicians.

PHOTO COURTESY OF INSIDE THE ORCHESTRA

‘Here every day’

BY ELICIA HESSELGRAVE SPECIAL TO COLORADO COMMUNITY MEDIA

The Denver area today is a hub for Native Americans.

It was approximately between 1945 and 1965 when Native Americans found Denver to be a desirable place to fi nd work, said Cheryl Crazy Bull, president of the Denver-based American Indian College Fund. This time period is known as the Relocation and Termination period, when Native Americans were removed from reservations and relocated to urban areas, Crazy Bull said.

Awareness of the plight of Native American communities rose in the 1960s and `70s, and this included concern for the lack of representation and visibility of tribal members in every corner of American life, Crazy Bull said.

“We saw a desire in Native American communities to create pathways for more people in public to see us,” Crazy Bull said. “Native American Heritage Month and Indigenous Peoples’ Day emerged out of a desire for that kind of visibility.”

In 1990, President George H. W. Bush established Native American Indian Heritage Month, which is celebrated every November.

“Native American Indian Heritage Month is a focused educational time,” Crazy Bull said.

‘Our own way of knowing the world’ Crazy Bull grew up in South Dakota and takes pride in being a citizen of the Sicangu Lakota nation, part of the Seven Council Fires. Each of the Council Fires is made up of individual tribal bands, based on kinship, dialect and geographic proximity.

“Indigenous people have our own way of knowing the world and our own knowledge system focusing on kinship and relationships,” Crazy Bull said. “We believe in generosity and industriousness, and being responsible in our actions and the gifts that people bring to us in their talent.”

How to celebrate Native American Heritage Month

The American Indian College Fund offers a number of ways to celebrate Native American Heritage Month. It begins with Indige-Bration, an exclusive virtual concert. The celebration continues with a month-long Facebook challenge that includes a Walk and Learn event, an instructional social dance video, book clubs, watch parties and panels. Crazy Bull will cap the celebration month with a live discussion.

Recognizing Native Americans during Thanksgiving

stand that the truth behind Thanksgiving there are ways

Americans. reciting a land recognition or a traditional the meal. The

“A lot of people have come to learn that the history behind Thanksgiving dinner (and) the stories we learned in school, are not exactly correct,” said NancyJo Houk, chief marketing and development offi cer for the American Indian College Fund. “I think it’s wonderful that people are starting to hear and understand that the truth behind the story of Thanksgiving isn’t what we all thought that it was.” Houk said there are ways to celebrate the holiday while also honoring Native Americans. She suggests reciting a land recognition or incorporating a traditional native dish to the meal. The college fund also provides resources of accurate history to share and discuss during the meal.

Beyond Native American Heritage Month

The idea is that Indigenous people will be honored beyond the month of November. That starts with research and selfeducation, Crazy Bull said. Her suggestions include taking advantage of opportunities to meet people of different cultures at social gatherings, work or club meetings. She said to also pay close attention to how Native American people are represented in schools, and take note of historical references in coursework to ensure there is representation of Indigenous peoples, Crazy Bull said.

Additionally, the Front Range boasts many nonprofi ts that serve Indigenous communities across the U.S. that people can learn more about. For example,

campus and the American Indian Academy of Denver. And, there’s the Native American Rights Fund based in Boulder and Longmont’s First Nations Development Institute.

There’s also the American Indian Academy of Denver, a free charter school focused on student-driven STEAM curriculum that was established to support Native American and Latinx students.

It provides a “learning in an environment where children get a lot of opportunity to honor their Indigenious community,” Crazy Bull said.

Also in Denver, the city and county’s Commission of Indian Affairs “strives to support visibility of Native people in Denver, and also legislation,” Crazy Bull said, adding that “Colorado itself has passed some laws that were really important, like banning mascots, (and) legislation supporting tuition support of members of tribes.”

For the arts, Crazy Bull points to the North American Indian Cultures exhibition hall at the Denver Museum of Nature & Science and the Denver Art Mu-

seum’s Indigenous Arts of North

portunities to experience Native American culture any time of the year.

Another resource is the NativeLands app, which helps people discover what lands were the traditional homes of specifi c Indengous peoples.

Other suggestions to celebrate and honor Native Americans include learning how to cook traditional native foods and supporting Native American-owned businesses, such as Denver’s own Tocabe, an American Indian eatery. There are also volunteer opportunities with organizations such as the Denver Indian Resource Center, the Denver Indian Center or Spirit of the Sun.

“In the U.S., there’s this practice of trying to celebrate diversity in framed ways, so Native American Heritage Month is an example of that social practice of drawing attention to groups of people by setting aside time for them to be recognized,” Crazy Bull said. “But we are here everyday. And we view Native American Heritage Month as just an opportunity to showcase the different accomplishments and different challenges Native Americans face.”

A Native American dancer performs during the American Indian College Fund’s Indigenous culinary event on June 15.

PHOTO BY CHRISTY STEADMAN

Cheryl Crazy Bull is a citizen of the Sicangu Lakota nation and serves as the president and CEO of the American Indian College Fund.

COURTESY PHOTO

First Friday Five Points Jazz Hop keeps the music alive

BY CHRISTY STEADMAN CSTEADMAN@COLORADOCOMMUNITYMEDIA.COM

Dzirae Gold remembers hearing about Denver’s Five Points and its bustling jazz scene when she was growing up in Chicagoland.

“It was the Harlem of the West (and) all of the great jazz musicians came here — particularly Black musicians because they couldn’t stay elsewhere,” Gold said. “Five Points (became) a safe haven and hub for jazz music.”

The 27-year-old vocalist finally got a chance to experience Five Points when she moved to Denver just before the COVID-19 pandemic hit. Even though she had been performing her entire life, it was a strange time to come to the city and dedicate herself to music full time, with many venues closing because of health lockdowns.

Gold put on virtual concerts and built an online audience.

“They say no musician blows up overnight, even though it looks like it,” Gold said. “I consider myself a forever student. For me, it’s happening at just the right pace.”

Gold now performs across the city and is looking forward to headlining a First Friday Five

Points Jazz Hop for the first time.

“This once-a-month event honors the jazz tradition,” Gold said.

Norman Harris, founder of Mile High Festivals, is one of the events’ organizers.

“The energy you get from having a live band is non-replicable,” Harris said. “There’s a swing and a groove that naturally happens in a live-music setting.”

The monthly jazz hops are a collaborative effort of Harris’ organization, the Five Points Business Improvement District, the Heart of Five Points, Curtis Park Neighbors and various sponsors. The hops start at 5:30 p.m. the first Friday of every month and take place at various venues through the neighborhood. They feature several musical performances with staggered start times to allow attendees to see each one. The jazz hops usually wrap up around 9 p.m., but businesses remain open afterwards, Harris said.

“There’s just general activity in Five Points,” Harris said. “Jazz music is a strong foundation to bring people to the neighborhood.”

Looking for a way to drive traffic to the Welton Street corridor, Harris’ organization was awarded a grant from Denver Arts & Venues.

The hops were wildly popular when they began in January of 2020. But only two months later, COVID-19 forced a hiatus until

January of 2021, when they were revived outdoors at Sonny Lawson Park. When gathering restrictions eventually eased and venues opened their doors again, jazz hops returned to club settings and now happen at a mix of indoor and outdoor settings.

All of the musicians are local, Harris said. And while jazz is the foundation for the music, the hops allow for creative freedom. Some of the acts may incorporate other elements, like a DJ or spoken-word artist, Harris said.

Gold specializes in R&B and soul and also classic jazz. She will perform at 7 p.m. Nov. 4 at Spangalang Brewery, 2736 Welton St. She will be joined by Isaiah Relf on drums, Will Gaines on bass and Bharat Bhargava on keys.

Though she is headlining a jazz hop for the first time, Gold is a dedicated attendee.

“You will not be disappointed in the atmosphere,” Gold said. “It’s just a good time.”

Harris invites everyone to come and see what the fuss is about.

“Jazz is a beautiful art form,” he said. “The vibration you get from jazz music is incredible. At the heart of it, we’re putting forward some genuine and authentic performances that people can experience and that drives the performers to give us their best.”

History Colorado We Are Colorado

Explore eleven museums and historic sites across Colorado, including the History Colorado Center in Denver.

HistoryColorado.org

Join now and learn about the people and cultures that have shaped our beautiful state.

To learn more about the First Friday Five Points Jazz Hop events, including lineups, schedules and venues, visit milehighfestivals.com/first-friday-five-points.

Dzirae Gold

PHOTO BY BRIEN HOLLOWELL

Farming group helps Afghan refugees feel more at home in Denver

BY DANA KNOWLES, LINDSEY FORD

don’t

cook fresh meals for their families

Razye came from Afghanistan to the United States more than three years ago and says she grew up farming in her home country.

of three Afghan

women who spoke with Rocky Mountain PBS about their new lives in Colorado.

The women left Afghanistan when the United States completed its military withdrawal last year. None of them wanted to use their last names and all of them spoke with the help of an interpreter who translated Dari, an Afghan dialect of Farsi, into English.

Mahmude has been in the U.S. for eight months and says Monday is now her favorite day of the week. “This is the highlight of my life, coming here every Monday. I’m happy to be here in the United States as my home country isn’t safe.”

The women come to Ekar Farm, an urban farm next to Denver Academy of Torah that started 14 years ago mainly serving the Jewish community.

In 2020, the pandemic forced Ekar Farm shift toward doing outreach across the city by collaborating with various nonprofits like Denver’s Metro Caring, an anti-hunger organization. All the produce that Ekar grows is donated to people in

the metro area who are experiencing food insecurity, including these

Afghan women and their children. Metro Caring and Ekar are partnering with Denver’s International Rescue Committee to transport them back and forth to the farm.

“What seems like a simple opportunity to grow food carries a lot of dimensions. The program allows the women to be around other people from their home country,” said Mireille Bakhos, who works with International Rescue Committee in Denver. “The media often highlights the war and challenges in Afghanistan but [these] programs are about resilience and the endless possibilities of human connections. It is about the power of people to heal and nurture positive change from the ground up, literally.”

The program runs from May through October due to weather.

The women cultivate a small section of land and use the produce to

“I was a rancher. I had my own animals and I had big farm back in Afghanistan, so when I come to this farm, I feel so excited,” she said, explaining how the tomatoes and potatoes are her favorites to take home and cook. “We make food that reminds me of my country back home, and that’s the happiest I’ve

Anywhere from 70,000 to 80,000 Afghan refugees are now living in the United States. According to the Colorado Refugee Program, Colorado has welcomed around 2,500 refugees since July of 2022. The United Nations Refugee Agency says that Afghans are one of the largest refugee populations in the world with an estimated 2.6 million registered across the globe in countries like Pakistan and Iran.

For Monira, who has been in Colorado for almost a year, the opportunity to connect and socialize with other women from her country is just as important as bringing home fruit and vegetables.

“First, we come here and we say ‘hello’ and we have a quick chat, and talk, and after that we harvest” she said, adding that being around people come from the same country make it easier to live in a new and unfamiliar place. “This is a country that’s unknown and new for us, so coming here to see people who speak the same language, and we became fast friends, and we talk.”

Monira hopes her work on the farm can help her life evolve into something new.

“My wish is to be able to start working and repay what people in Colorado have done for us, and find a job to contribute to this country, and this state,” she said.

This story is from Rocky Mountain PBS, a nonprofit public broadcaster providing community stories across Colorado over the air and online. Used by permission. For more, and to support Rocky Mountain PBS, visit rmpbs.org.

Great home & auto rates for any budget.

Surprisingly great rates await when you have

for

a

PHOTOS COURTESY OF ROCKY MOUNTAIN PBS

VOICES

A few ways to help those in your neighborhood this season

With the leaves changing colors and the nights getting colder, November is a time to get cozy inside. It’s also a time when the less fortunate among us need a little help. There are many ways to pitch in.

Coats for Colorado

As I admired my partner’s Halloween decorations snug in a light hoodie, I realized I’d soon need a coat. So I went through my storage and discovered I have way too many.

Luckily, Coats for Colorado’s annual drive is still on.

This drive that began as a grassroots effort in the early 1980s has distributed more than 2 million coats.

To participate, take your unwanted coats to any Dependable Cleaners location and they take care of everything else — from cleaning them to getting them to where they need to be. About 120 local nonprofi ts are part of the effort to get the coats to people who need them.

Coats for children and adults should be in good condition, without tears, missing buttons, or broken zippers. Monetary donations are not accepted, but new coats

are. You can buy one and donate it.

There are many Dependable Cleaners locations in Denver proper, with the main branch located at 1701 S. Broadway, which borders the Platt Park and Overland neighborhoods.

The Coats for Colorado drive runs through Nov. 30. To learn more, visit coatsforcolorado.org.

Colorado Gives Day

Last November, I remember being on the phone with a customer service representative based out of state. I don’t remember what the call was for but somehow we got on the topic of Colorado Gives Day. The rep thought it was the coolest thing and wished her state had something like it.

Colorado Gives Day is Dec. 6 this year.

The website describes it this way: an annual “statewide movement to celebrate and increase philanthropy in Colorado through online giving.”

A perk of giving specifi cally

on Colorado Gives Day is that nonprofi ts also receive a portion of the Community First Foundation’s $1 million Incentive Fund. The catch for the incentive fund is that the donation has to be made specifi cally on Dec. 6. However, from Nov. 1-Dec. 5, givers can schedule a donation to go through on Dec. 6.

Every registered nonprofi t is eligible to receive Colorado Gives Day donations. To make selecting the nonprofi t you wish to donate to easier, browse by location, cause and keyword. Or, if you already know the nonprofi t you want to donate to, type in the specifi c name.

Vsit coloradogives.org/COGIVESDAY for more information.

A way to give to our Colorado Community Media journalists

It may seem like the only way to participate in local journalism is by writing a letter to the editor, sending a press release or being a source for a story. Well, there’s another way you can be part of our work.

Our reporters and editors are toiling on a newsroom-wide special project called The Long Way Home. This series, expected to publish in early 2023, examines

the affordability and availability of housing across the metro area. It’s part of a campaign supported by the nonprofi t Local Media Foundation, which works to ensure the future of journalism as a pillar of a strong democracy.

Donations help support our work, including covering print costs for dozens of Colorado Community Media newspapers and the Denver Voice, a publication we partnered with for the series, as well as publication online, including a Spanish version.

To learn more about The Long Way Home, visit givebutter.com/ CCM_housing.

You can also support CCM’s efforts through the #newsCOneeds campaign. With this, the Colorado Media Project will match up to $5,000 for new individual memberships, donations, subscriptions or contributions made between 8 a.m. on Nov. 29 and midnight on Dec. 31.

To learn more about #newsCOneeds, visit coloradomediaproject.com.

To learn more about Colorado Community Media’s many newspapers, including the one you’re reading, visit www.coloradocommunitymedia.com.

Makers helps older adults explore what’s

Most people think of college as a place to go at the beginning of your career. The 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, launching in January, will bring 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 fi lled with transitions, not all of them easy. The 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 defi ne a whole

FROM THE EDITOR Christy Steadman GUEST COLUMN Michelle Marks

new life stage — an average extra 30 years after the family-raising, profession-building years. Yet careers are often still expected to end when people are in their 60s, with ripple effects on those in their 50s.

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

Some need to continue earning a salary to support longer lifespans. Others are interested in staying engaged, and in giving back to their communities. Surveys indicate a strong desire among people over 50 for continued meaningful engagement. This represents a huge untapped resource for our community.

Here is where higher education is beginning to step in. The CUDenver Change Makers program is based on the success of similar programs in other states. Unlike traditional programs for older adults that focus on learning new work skills or dabbling in a topic of intellectual interest, these programs are focused specifically on helping older adults transition well from one life stage to a new one that includes purpose and impact.

First class starts in January Change Makers’ inaugural class will begin in January and continue through April. The four-month program will be held in a hybrid in-person/online format, meeting twice each week. The instructor, who has decades of experience leading programs for older adults in transition, will lead discussions on navigating transition

and thinking differently about the next stage. In a tailored seminar series, participants will hear from experts on issues relating to aging and retirement. And with opportunities to audit CUDenver classes and an optional applied internship in a nonprofit or social enterprise, fellows will explore areas of interest and growth and develop a plan for using their wisdom in a new, fulling context.

The goal of Change Makers is to make change — in the participants themselves and in their communities.

Universities do this with younger students all the time. Why not later in life as well?

Michelle Marks is the chancellor of the University of ColoradoDenver. Find more information on the Change Makers program at ucdenver.edu/change-makers.

Addressing top-of-mind issues in Denver

homelessness, sky-high housing costs. These are the three items sitting top-of-mind for most residents that call the District 6 office. Denver does not sit alone addressing these challenges, but that does not blunt our responsibility to manage them or our commitment to do so.

I was pleased to see that the mayor’s proposed budget includes $8.4 million to recruit 188 additional officers that would increase Denver Police Department’s authorized strength from the current benchmark of 1,596 to 1,639. It may take several years to get there, as law enforcement agencies across the state and the country are struggling to attract top-notch applicants. Another $1.5 million has been earmarked to increase and enhance training for sworn officers.

Our police department needs to be adequately staffed and trained to enforce the law and bring scofflaws to justice. Our courts must incarcerate those who are a danger to our community. We must honor the principle

Councilmember Paul Kashmann

of innocent until proven guilty, and we must undo the inequitable application of the law that has people of color filling our jails in inappropriate numbers. That said, while arrest and detention does remove a criminal from the landscape for a period of time, we cannot arrest our way out of lawlessness. In order to make a significant and ongoing reduction in the crime rate, we must also intervene at the source. We need to address the epidemic of mental un-health and substance abuse that has taken hold and often fuels criminal behavior. We must reduce the pipeline of those turning to lawlessness as a way to get their needs met.

Fortunately, the mayor’s budget does have money set aside to increase

mental health and drug treatment beds. Whether the amount proposed is sufficient is yet to be seen. What is at least as daunting as the needed dollars is the need for available professionals to provide the services to bring people out of crises and return them to responsible, productive members of society. I’m guessing that a couple of decades of STEM education may have contributed to the shortage of women and men wanting to devote themselves to traditionally lower-paid jobs in social services positions. We need to turn that dynamic around by offering competitive salaries for these critically needed social service professionals.

There will be big dollars aimed, as well, at increasing the supply of housing affordable to those — from the unhoused to those in the upper reaches of our work force — who cannot currently meet Denver’s cost of living. We need to accelerate the pace that these units are made available, and we must increase the percentage of affordable units from rentals to

purchase. We must make it possible for those in lower income brackets to begin to build generational wealth that will change the lives of generations to come.

Finally, angry calls are coming in daily fueled by frustration at the length of time it is taking homeowners, businesses and developers to get construction projects permitted. Our plan reviewers and building inspectors are working yeoman’s hours to dent the backlog that has permits-inwaiting delayed by many months. The city has redoubled its efforts to hire added staff, and has contracted with private firms to help move the needle.

I believe the city would be wise in bringing in outside eyes to have a look at our permitting processes to be sure we are making best use of personnel.

Have a great month. See you soon around the neighborhood.

Paul Kashmann represents District 6 on Denver City Council. He can be reached at paul.kashmann@denvergov.org or 720-337-6666.

Vegan swaps for Thanksgiving

Twelve years ago, my life changed after reading a book by Kim Barnouin. Tears streamed down my cheeks after reading behind-thescenes reports from undercover journalists revealing the horrifying treatment of animals on factory farms. I am certain that I had just eaten a chicken sandwich for dinner prior to my nightly reading. But that night, I decided to go vegan cold turkey.

I didn’t know what being vegan would be like, but that information upset me so deeply, I wanted to do everything I could to not contribute to the mistreatment of animals anymore.

And so my vegan journey began.

At fi rst, I didn’t know a thing about cooking because everything I ate came from a box, bag or from the freezer. Without meat as a main, what would I eat? I had to un-learn everything I’d known about food. At the time, I lived in Cleveland with family, including a self-proclaimed “carnivore” uncle who ate the typical midwestern diet of steak and potatoes. Family poked fun at my sensitive nature, which made holidays especially uncomfortable, but my conviction remained unwavered.

I remember my fi rst Thanksgiving as a vegan. We gathered at my grandmother’s home and I offered to bring a dish to share, but she would not allow it. So, I came prepared with my own hummus and veggies and sat proudly with my unique, but simple plate of animal-friendly foods. I laugh now, thinking back on that holiday as I was so new to veganism and still learning my way around the kitchen. My cooking skills have grown signifi cantly, and I have made many vegan Thanksgiving meals since, mostly from scratch.

A vegan-friendly Thanksgiving isn’t all that hard to accomplish if you’re willing to have a bit of patience and do a little research.

GUEST COLUMN Elicia Hesselgrave

As interest in veganism has increased, so has the market for plantbased, animal-free products. A vegan novice these days won’t face as many challenges as I did and so many others before me.

I challenge you to try these vegan swaps.

Rather than using our feathered turkey friend as the main dish, opt for one of these vegan alternatives: Field Roast brand Celebration Roast, Gardein’s Holiday Roast or the most affordable Turkey-less Stuffed Roast from Trader Joe’s.

Daiya makes a good packaged vegan and gluten free macaroni and cheese, but I recommend this recipe: The Best Vegan Mac and Cheese (Classic, Baked) found on Loving It Vegan. (lovingitvegan.com/baked-vegan-mac-andcheese)

Most homemade dinner rolls are “accidentally vegan,” but here’s a tried and true recipe: Vegan Dinner Rolls found on Nora Cooks. (noracooks.com/vegan-dinnerrolls)

For mashed potatoes, follow a traditional recipe, but swap out the dairy for vegan options. I like unsweetened soy or almond milk

— I would avoid coconut milk as it can add a hint of sweetness. As for butter, the number of plant-based butters has grown signifi cantly since I became vegan. I have tried most of them and Miyoko’s brand has the closest fl avor notes as dairy butter, but is often the most expensive.

My favorite Thanksgiving dish is stuffi ng, and this is my go-to recipe: Vegan Cornbread Stuffing (GF) found on Jessica in the Kitchen. (jessicainthekitchen. com/gluten-free-cornbread-stuffing-recipe-vegan)

For dessert, if you want to buy packaged pies, many of Marie

Callender’s pies are “accidentally vegan,” including the Dutch Apple Pie, Lattice Apple and Peach Pies. Whole Foods typically sells vegan pumpkin pies. Top your pie with dairy-free ice creams, truwhip or cocowhip. I would avoid the spray cans as my experience has not

been so positive in the past. However you celebrate, and whatever you celebrate, I hope you enjoy.

Elicia Hesselgrave is a vegan, animal-lover and contributor for Colorado Community Media.

Mile High Happenings is a new monthly column featuring community events throughout Denver, highlighting events that take place 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 organizations are welcome. Submissions should include brief details about the event and a photo

Oct. 21-Nov. 20

“Turn” by Megan Morgan

Time: Various.

Location: 931 Gallery, 931 Santa Fe Dr. in Denver’s Art District on Santa Fe.

Cost: Free entry to the gallery.

This art exhibit features the work of fine artist Megan Morgan of Louisville. The works highlight her strong passion for drawing human figures in motion. Morgan will be in the gallery from 1-4 p.m. on Nov. 5-6, 12-13 and 19-20.

More information/reservations: 931gallery.com

Nov. 4-12

Denver Arts Week

Time: Various.

Location: Multiple.

Cost: Varies.

Denver Arts Week celebrates the city’s arts and culture scene with hundreds of events throughout the city.

More information/reservations: denver.org/denver-artsweek

Nov. 4-26

or event logo.

Deadline is the 20th of each month for the event to be listed the following month. Cycle for the column’s listings will typically begin on the first weekend of the month, depending on publication dates.

Submissions can be emailed to Christy Steadman at csteadman@coloradocommunitymedia.com.

“Collected Perspectives: Cartography, Belonging, Place and Identity”

Time: 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Wednesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays or by appointment.

Location: PlatteForum’s Annex Gallery, 3575 Ringsby Ct. #103, in Denver.

Cost: Free.

This exhibit features Jennifer Maravillas-Bell’s large concrete map that has found objects impressed into each block creating a beautiful mosaic of the inhabitants of the area. Related work by PlatteForum’s Artlab interns will also be on display. Opening reception takes place from 6-8 p.m. on Nov. 4.

More

Nov. 5

Denver Veterans Day Parade & Festival

Time: 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Location: Civic Center Park in Denver, parade starts at 14th Street and West Colfax Avenue.

Cost: Free.

Hosted by the Colorado Veterans Project, the Denver Veterans Day Parade will represent different conflicts in military history. It will feature floats, car clubs, marching units, bands and more.

More information/reservations: denverveteransday.com

Nov. 9

Nov. 6

Central’s On the Wisdom Path: Lindsay Garcia

Time: 6 p.m.

Location: Central Presbyterian Church, 1660 N. Sherman St. in Denver

Cost: Free.

Central’s On the Wisdom Path: perspectives, narratives, and conversations is a lecture series that brings in a sequence of guest speakers. The Nov. 6 lecture features Lindsay Garcia, director of communications for Young Evangelicals for Climate Action, who will present on faithfully responding to the climate crisis.

More information/reservations: centraldenver.com

20th annual Fred & Audrey F. Marcus Holocaust Lecture

Time: 7-9 p.m.

Location: Elaine Wolf Theatre in the Mizel Arts and Culture Center at the Staenberg-Loup Jewish Community Center, 350 S. Dahlia St. in Denver.

Cost: $18; free for Holocaust survivors, educators and students.

This event is a special film screening of the acclaimed animated film, “Where is Ann Frank,” and a discussion with Oscar-nominated director Ari Folman. It is offered by the JCC as part of its Neustadt Jewish Arts, Authors, Movies and Music Series (JAAMM) in partnership with the University of Denver’s Holocaust Awareness Institute.

More information/reservations: jccdenver.org/events; hai@du.edu or 303-871-3013

Megan Morgan’s “SEEFLêHX-3.” COURTESY PHOTO

Time: 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Tuesday-Friday and noon to 5 p.m. Saturdays.

Location: Center for Visual Art-Metropolitan State University of Denver, 965 Santa Fe Dr.

Cost: Free.

This exhibit showcases the work of 11 emerging artists and designers as they complete their undergraduate studies at Metropolitan State University of Denver. Themes include exploration, communication, advocacy, identity, sexuality, autonomy, connection and hybridity. The collection incorporates installation, design, video, performance, drawing, painting, ceramics and sculpture. Opening reception takes place from 6-8 p.m. on Nov. 11.

More information/reservations: msudenver.edu/cva

Nov. 12

Denver Veterans Day Run

Time: 6:30 a.m.

Location: City Park, 2001 Colorado Blvd. in Denver.

Cost: $40-$45.

The memorial Denver Veterans Day Run 5K and 10K run is open to everyone. Hosted by the Colorado Veterans Project, all proceeds benefit localveteran organizations and Colorado veterans. A virtual run/walk is offered Nov. 1-12.

More information/reservations: denverveteransday.com

Lincoln Veterans MemorialPark O cial Dedication

Time: 10 a.m.

Location: Broadway and Colfax Avenue, between the Colorado State Capitol and Civic Center Plaza.

Cost: Free.

This historic place of remembrance and honor is home of the Colorado Veterans Monument, the Fallen Heroes Memorial, the Joseph P. Martinez statue and a replica of the Liberty Bell. This dedication marks the a renaming of the park. The Greenway Foundation and the Colorado Parks Foundation has provided the funding for the creation of a new plaque.

More information/reservations: tinyurl.com/LincolnVeteransMemorialPark

Denver Fashion Week

Time: Varies.

Location: Sports Castle - A Non Plus Ultra Venue, 1000 N. Broadway in Denver.

Cost: Varies.

The fall 2022 Denver Fashion Week will showcase everything from the Meow Wolf fashion line — featured for the first time on the runway — to sustainable brands.

More information/reservations: denverfashionweek.com

Nov. 19

Pumpkin Pie 5K/10K

Time: 9 a.m.

Location: City Park in Denver.

Cost: $30-$45.

This family friendly run features a piece of pumpkin pie and other finishers’ rewards, as well as a finish line expo with vendors and food.

More information/reservations: coloradorunnerevents.com/Pumpkin

Nov. 6

Nov. 20

Family Volunteer Day at History Colorado

Time: 10 a.m. to noon.

Location: History Colorado Center, 1200 N. Broadway

Cost: Free, registration required.

Family Volunteer Day is a global day of service that celebrates the power of families working together to support their community. All participants receive free access to the museum and its exhibits.

More information/reservations: historycolorado.org/ events-experiences

Central’s On the Wisdom Path: Lindsay Garcia

Time: 6 p.m.

Location: Central Presbyterian Church, 1660 N. Sherman St. in Denver

Cost: Free.

Central’s On the Wisdom Path: perspectives, narratives, and conversations is a lecture series that brings in a sequence of guest speakers. The Nov. 6 lecture features Lindsay Garcia, director of communications for Young Evangelicals for Climate Action, who will present on faithfully responding to the climate crisis.

More information/reservations: centraldenver.com

Meow Wolf will make its runway debut at this year’s Denver Fashion Week. COURTESY PHOTO

Jordan Crouch’s “The Act of Forgetting.” COURTESY PHOTO Fall 2022 MSU Denver BFA Thesis Exhibition

Denver Film Fest brings the world’s stories to Denver

Festival is in its 45th season

BY CLARKE READER SPECIAL TO COLORADO COMMUNITY MEDIA

There’s a reason that during the worst parts of the COVID-19 pandemic, so many people turned to the film world for solace and inspiration. The Denver Film Festival is aiming to achieve that same entertaining and enlightening power in its 45th season, which is returning to its pre-pandemic form of entirely in-person screenings.

“We have the return of the real festival environment this year,” said Matthew Campbell, the festival’s artistic director. “We were just able to have a couple parties and other events last year, so we didn’t have as much conversing after the films as we normally would. Now we’re able to host more events, foster the community experience and be a catalyst for conversation.”

The 45th Denver Film Festival runs this year from Nov. 2-13.

Screenings and events will take place in several downtown locations — the Sie FilmCenter, 2510 E. Colfax Ave. in Denver, but also the Ellie Caulkins Opera House, Denver Botanic Gardens, AMC 9 +

CO 10 and the Tattered Cover East Colfax.

Some of the big films being showcased this year include the Opening Night Red Carpet presentation of “Armageddon Time,” which is directed by James Gray and features Anne Hathaway, Jeremy Strong and Anthony Hopkins. Sam Mendes’ “Empire of Light,” Sarah Polley’s “Women Talking” and Maria Schrader’s “She Said” are all films garnering early awards buzz and will be screened during the festival.

Also not-to-miss is “The Whale,” the Brendan Fraser film, written by Samuel D. Hunter, who will be on hand to receive the festival’s Excellence in Writing Award. Hunter’s play — which the film is based on — had its premiere in Denver, so this will be a special event.

“These special presentations are great, but people will have the opportunity to see these films after the fact,” Campbell said. “What’s great about this festival is there are (also) many films that this might be your only chance to see them.”

In addition to quality stories from the world over, the team at Denver Film works to highlight Colorado stories like “The Holly,” which tells the story of a shooting case involving activist Terrance

Roberts and the gentrification of the city; and “My Sister Liv,” a film that follows two Colorado sisters coming of age with all the pressures of social media.

With several parties to attend, as well as VR filmmaking experiences, there truly is something for everyone at the festival.

“The audiences here in Denver are really adventurous and are really discerning,” Campbell said.

“Those who attend are going to come away having had a great time, but also potentially learning something and getting a new outlook on film. We’re here to expand minds and create dialogue and empathy.”

To see the full line-up for Denver Film Fest’s 45th season or purchase tickets, visit denverfilm.org/denverfilmfestival/ d 45.

Accessibility upgrades planned at Red Rocks

been under ADA rules. Some paid $130 more per ticket for their seats.

BY DEB HURLEY BROBST DBROBST@COLORADOCOMMUNITYMEDIA.COM

Natalie Ostberg of Pine loves to attend concerts at Red Rocks Amphitheatre.

The 29-year-old loves all genres of music, according to her mom, Laurel, who figures Natalie has been to at least 100 concerts since 2002. She’s rocked out to Earth, Wind and Fire, Cyndi Lauper, Arlo Guthrie, Stevie Nicks and many more.

Natalie, diagnosed with cerebral palsy, uses a wheelchair. The Ostbergs were at Red Rocks in Morrison on Oct. 18 to learn more about proposed changes to accessible seating at the amphitheater, hoping it would become accessible to even more people.

Denver is planning to improve and expand wheelchair-accessible seating in the front row by removing the bench seating and improving the ramp access to the first row to provide more room for wheelchairs and those moving along the row. In addition, some seats in rows 2 and 3 will be earmarked for those with mobility issues such as people with walkers and canes, and other seats will be earmarked for people who are hearing-impaired to give them better access to interpreters.

Improvements will be made to shuttle parking access, and a ramp will be constructed from the front row to the stage, which will benefit events such as graduations that take place there. Plus improvements are planned for row 70, the row at the top of the amphitheater that also has wheelchair-accessible seating.

Some of the improvements will be completed in time for the 2023 concert season while others will be completed in 2025.

Margaret Miller of Arvada, who is hearing-impaired, said she came to Red Rocks to learn about the plans, hoping to help improve the experience for others like her and hoping to make a difference.

“They’re making an effort,” Miller

Let’s Talk

Midtown Counseling Denver provides personalized counseling services with a focus on growth and healing for adolescent and adult clients.

We strive to provide a transparent and collaborative environment.

“Don’t go through life, grow through life.” Eric Butterworth Let’s grow together.

said. “They are doing more to comply with the laws.”

Miller explained that she attends concerts at Red Rocks periodically, though she usually sits with her friends who can hear.

Frank Mango of Roxborough Park has been a Red Rocks concertgoer since 1982, and his perspective changed in 2013 after he was injured and needs to use a wheelchair. Mango, who learned more about the proposed changes on Oct. 18, said they would be a step in the right direction. In addition to changing the venue itself, he hoped Red Rocks could do more to block scalpers from buying accessible seats to sell to able-bodied customers.

Mango was one of six plaintiffs in a discrimination lawsuit filed in 2017 over being overcharged for tickets. Three months ago, the Justice Department ordered the city of Denver to pay nearly $48,000 in refunds to about 1,800 people who bought tickets for wheelchair-accessible seats at 178 shows.

The Americans with Disabilities Act doesn’t allow venues to charge higher prices for seats that are accessible to people who use wheelchairs. Red Rocks has accessible seats for its events in the front and

last row. Venues like Red Rocks that physically cannot make accessible seating available in all parts of the theater must price the tickets as though the seats were proportionally distributed.

According to the settlement, the Department of Justice found more than 10% of people purchasing wheelchair-accessible seats were charged more than they should have

Alison Butler, director of Denver’s Division of Disability Rights, Human Rights and Community Partnerships since March, understood the accessibility needs at Red Rocks because before she took the new position because she represented those plaintiffs in the discrimination claim.

When Barker joined the Division of Disability Rights, among her first questions was, “What can we do to help?” Her division began asking those with disabilities who attend Red Rocks for ideas on how to make their experience better.

“Having more seats and a fully accessible row 1 can be a game changer to people,” she said.

Red Rocks Amphitheater was opened to the public in 1941 and seats 9,500. With 192 steps to get from row 1 to row 70, plus the steps to get up to the venue itself, concertgoers get a workout just to be in the venue.

Ro-Tien Liang, ADA architectural access manager for Denver’s Division of Disability Rights, explained that three things must be considered as the city makes changes to the amphitheater: following Americans with Disabilities laws and the wishes of the users while understanding the functionality of Red Rocks.

“Most important,” he noted, “we don’t want to strip away what makes Red Rocks Red Rocks.”

We’re STILL making it personal!

We’re STILL making it personal!

We’re STILL making it personal!

Its been 6 years, and The Dentists on Pearl still want to get to know you! So, come on in or call today to schedule an appointment for the entire family. We will create a plan that will help you achieve and maintain a completely healthy smile! We accept most insurances and are accepting new patients!

Its been 6 years, and The Dentists on Pearl still want to get to know you! So, come on in or call today to schedule an appointment for the entire family. We will create a plan that will help you achieve and maintain a completely healthy smile! We accept most insurances and are accepting new patients!

Its been 6 years, and The Dentists on Pearl still want to get to know you! So, come on in or call today to schedule an appointment for the entire family. We will create a plan that will help you achieve and maintain a completely healthy smile! We accept most insurances and are accepting new patients!

Its been 6 years, and The Dentists on Pearl still want to get to know you! So, come on in or call today to schedule an appointment for the entire family. We will create a plan that will help you achieve and maintain a completely healthy smile! We accept most insurances and are accepting new patients!

1905 South Pearl Street

1905 SOUTH PEARL STREET

1905 SOUTH PEARL STREET

1905 SOUTH PEARL STREET

Dr. Stratil and Dr. Wright

Dr. Stratil and Dr. Wright

Dr. Stratil and Dr. Wright

Frank Mango of Roxborough Park sits in his wheelchair next to an area of Red Rocks Amphitheatre’s first row that has traditionally not been accessible to wheelchairs. The blue tape shows where new wheelchair-accessible seats will be as Denver makes modifications to the venue for those with disabilities.

PHOTO BY DEB HURLEY BROBST

Amphitheater plans more, better spots for those who are hearing impaired or have mobility issues

Flemish art on display in Denver

BY SONYA ELLINGBOE SELLINGBOE@COLORADOCOMMUNITYMEDIA.COM

The Phoebus Foundation, headquartered in historic Antwerp, Belgium, shares a portion of its comprehensive 15th- to 17th-century collection of Flemish art through Jan. 22 at the Denver Art Museum

— a first-time U.S. visit for this rich collection. Plan on spending as much time as possible absorbing details of all sorts in these meticulously preserved works, owned by the Phoebus Foundation. (When it leaves Denver, it will travel to the Dallas Museum of Art.)

Phoebus Foundation Curator Dr. Katharina Van Cauteren accompanied the artwork and introduced it in an Oct. 13 press visit, in a talk that, like the exhibit, combined scholarship and humor.

Paintings not only present religious and mythical themes, but a growing interest in science and society by artists who were aware of the developments of microscopes and other scientific instruments that reinforced new subjects for painters to explore, as well as personal interactions and their effects on the world...

This was a time when conflict arose over philosophies and moralities and Jan Massys, the artist

we chose to present, was banished from Antwerp for a period due to his religious ideas, which may relate to the sassy representation in his painting: “Rebus: The World Feeds Many Fools,” which shows a background of a cabinet of curiosities, popular among those wealthy enough to afford a collection. The mirrored pair looks like they know a joke about their surroundings. (A rebus is a pictographic representation of a word.)

Related, humorous and intriguing: “Portrait Of An Elegant Couple In An Art Cabinet” by Peeter Neefs II and Gillis Van Tilborgh, depicting a small portrait of the couple, surrounded by their towering art-filled walls and door with stained glass. In religious paintings of the period, donors might be depicted among the saints. The small figures surrounded by big art suggests an underlying sense of humor, as does the Massys painting.

Also represented in this collection: works by Hans Memling, Jan Gossaert, Peter Paul Rubens and studio, Jan and Catherina van Hemessen, Jacob Jordanens and Anthony van Dyck.

The exhibit is organized into six sections, beginning with “God is in the Details,” which includes holy figures in contemporary settings. Following: “From God to the Individual,” including portraits of wealthy and famous members of society, followed by “The Fool in the Mirror,” which takes includes humorous views of society, with its quirkiness. “The Discovery of the World” represents Flemings’

IF YOU GO

belief that one needed to explore the world’s mysteries in order to come to some understanding of the Divine.

“A World in Turmoil” gives historic ideas for the Eighty Years War (1568 to 1648), an ongoing dispute between the Netherlands and Spain, with an intention by artists to steer viewers to the Catholic faith of Spanish rulers.

The final section, “The Pursuit of Wonder,” includes shells, animals, sci-

entific instruments and rare objects, intended to inspire a sense of wonder. (Collaboration here with the Denver Museum of Nature & Science.)

Another popular motif for collectors was lush flowers, represented by Daniel Seghers’ “Roses, Tulips and Narcissi In a Glass Vase,” with a lush bouquet, a still life, rendered in oil paint on copper, which gives the work a special glow.

“Rebus: The World Feeds Many Fools” by Jan Massys is in the exhibit of Flemish works at the Denver Art Museum.

COURTESY PHOTO

This exhibit is ticketed. The Denver Art Museum is located at 100 W. 14th Ave.

Parkway, Denver and is open daily. Information: denverartmuseum.org, 720-865-5000.

‘A little treasure in the city’

So, in 1992, when a friend told her about a volunteer opportunity with a traveling exhibit coming to the DAM called “Chicano Art: Resistance and Affirmation,” she jumped at it.

And thus, Ricciardi found her place to connect with community and art.

BY CHRISTY STEADMAN CSTEADMAN@COLORADOCOMMUNITYMEDIA.COM

Walking through the Denver Art Museum with Clara Ricciardi is like traveling back in time to Mesoamerica and experiencing it firsthand.

She’ll tell the story behind a ttipqui pin used by the Inca to pin clothing, or point out an intricate detail — and why it’s there — in a Spanish colonial era painting.

The museum’s Art of the Ancient Americas and Latin American Art collections are here to “empower (people) to learn more,” Ricciardi said.

Ricciardi is DAM’s senior Spanish language and community engagement liaison. She’s a key person behind the museum’s bilingual gallery labels and wayfinding, bringing more appreciation of diversity to Colorado.

She’s worked toward that goal with the museum for three decades. On Nov. 18, the museum will honor Ricciardi’s efforts at its 40th Collectors’ Choice fundraiser gala. Collectors Craig Ponzio and John and Sandy Fox will also receive accolades for their visionary contributions to the museum.

Ricciardi, who has a background in law studies, is originally from Mexico City and at age 21 came to California to work for the Consulate General of Mexico. While there, she met Geno Ricciardi, whose family has a century-long connection to Colorado. On their first date, Geno brought Clara to Colorado and, more specifically, the DAM.

She not only fell in love with Geno, she fell in love with the museum, where she was happy to see her heritage represented.

“It was a nice treat to see the objects (that are) part of my culture,” she said.

The Ricciardis moved to Denver in 1988. Clara began to feel homesick for her Mexico City, a place she describes as an open-air museum where “you are surrounded by art.”

“It was really exciting to have visitors who were not familiar with the museum, but were familiar with the items (on exhibit),” Ricciardi said.

One such item is a metate, which roughly translates to a grinder. It dates back thousands of years in Mesoamerica, but is still found in some households today. Seeing a metate in the museum, people would sometimes comment that they remember one in their grandmother’s home, Ricciardi said.

“They see themselves here, like I did,” Ricciardi said. “They’re seeing their culture reflected in a place that represents art.”

Ricciardi eventually became DAM’s first Spanish-language programs coordinator.

When Ricciardi began, the museum did not offer bilingual tours. So she led efforts to get them going. She also forged relationships with school districts across the metro area to engage children of every level as well as their families.

“Clara knows the power of language to connect,” said Heather Nielsen, chief learning and engagement offi cer at the DAM. “She brings an infectious energy and a caring hand to every interaction she has. Clara never tires of making the DAM feel just like home to so many visitors, warmly welcoming them through the doors in Spanish and always with the brightest of smiles.”

Another highlight of Ricciardi’s tenure is the annual Día del Niño. It marked its 20th year this year. Día del Niño, which translates to Children’s Day, is a tradition in Mexico which has been brought to the United States.

Ricciardi “has planned every detail of the amazing Día del Niño event, as thoroughly as she has overseen the implementation of Spanish language in our galleries of Ancient American and Latin Art, and in all our special exhibitions and galleries,” said Christoph Heinrich, director of the DAM’s Frederick and Jan Mayer

galleries. “Without her gentle but tenacious push, the DAM wouldn’t be what it is today.”

All of these efforts are shining examples of Ricciardi’s pride for the DAM.

“The museum is a little treasure in the city,” Ricciardi said. “It’s a way of connecting to the rest of the world and the art inside is not just three-dimensional. It is alive.”

The Denver Art Museum’s 40th Collectors’ Choice fundraiser gala takes place Nov. 18. To purchase tickets, visit denverartmuseum. org. Sponsorship opportunities and table reservations are also available for the gala. Contact Violet Mantell at vmantell@denverartmuseum.org or 720-913-0034 for more information.

Clara Ricciardi, the Denver Art Museum’s senior Spanish language and community engagement liaison, will be honored at the museum’s 40th Collectors’ Choice fundraiser gala for her e orts that have made the museum more diverse and inclusive. STORY ON PAGE 12.

PHOTO BY CHRISTY STEADMAN

Gala will celebrate e orts that bring diversity, Spanish-language inclusion to Denver Art Museum

New exhibit at Denver Museum of Nature & Science takes visitors to outer space

BY BRUCE GOLDBERG SPECIAL TO COLORADO COMMUNITY MEDIA

U.S. astronaut Neil Armstrong — the first man on the moon — almost aborted the Apollo 11 moon landing seconds before it happened because he spotted boulders in a potential landing spot. He was able to maneuver the lunar module elsewhere.

Do you recall the United States vs. Russia race to be the first to send up a satellite?

Or staying up far past bedtime to see Armstrong and fellow astronaut Edwin “Buzz” Aldrin Jr. walk on the moon that day of July 20, 1969?

astronaut Edwin “Buzz” the 20, When

On Oct. 21, the Denver Museum of Nature & Science opened “Apollo: When We Went to the Moon,” a touring exhibition presented by the U.S. Space & Rocket Center in Alabama and Minnesota-based Flying Fish, a business that creates museum exhibits across the U.S. The exhibit includes a simulated Saturn rocket launch in a three-panel format. One panel has mission control, another shows the

“You’ll hear the countdown. You’ll feel like you are immersed in the launch,” said Keli

Cowan, the museum’s program coordinator.

Cowan added that NASA speakers hang from the ceiling, enhancing the experience.

“It kind of launches you back in time to the space race in 1969, (but it) starts before that with Sputnik and what else was happening in the 1960s,” Cowan said. “You see artifacts from the Vietnam War, the Apollo gallery, videos associated with Apollo 12 through 17, and we’ll have monitors showing a launch.”

era, the Cuban Missile Crisis, the

Part of the exhibit reflects the events of that era, including the Cuban Missile Crisis, the 1964 Civil Rights Act and a one-sixth scaled-down version of a Saturn rocket that at full height stands 363 feet tall. President John F. Kennedy and Soviet Premier Nikita Khrushchev deliver speeches on screens.

The “Apollo: When We Went to the Moon” exhibit is on view at the Denver Museum of Nature & Science, 2001 Colorado Blvd., until Jan. 22. Ticket information is available online at dmns.org.

Renewed interest in space travel may boost the exhibit’s attendance.

travel the

For example, the United States’ space program is reviving, with plans to return to the moon on the Artemis mission, which has been delayed, and eventually reach Mars. Then there’s the remarkable outer space images coming from the James Webb Space Telescope project, which has captured dramatic images, including stars in the process of forming planets in faraway space.

It’s a timely presentation and the exhibit has plenty of space travel-related items on display.

“Think about the Colorado connection,” Cowan said. “The Denver metro area in particular has a massive space industry and is very passionate about space travel.”

maneuver the lunar

exhibit

has mission control, another shows the You’ll

immersed in the launch,” said Keli

A new traveling exhibit called “Apollo: When We Went to the Moon” will be on view at the Denver Museum of Nature & Science until Jan. 22. SHUTTERSTOCK IMAGE

BY ELLIOTT WENZLER EWENZLER@COLORADOCOMMUNITYMEDIA.COM

Madi Barber had never been able to keep a plant from dying. Then one day, her mother gave her a succulent.

“I was like, ‘You know what, I’m going to make this thing live,’” she said.

Now, two years later, the Metropolitan State University of Denver senior’s collection has grown significantly.

“One succulent turned into 50 succulents that are all over my house, everywhere,” she said.

A psychology student interested in research, Barber has since become fascinated by the mental health benefits of fostering a plant’s growth and has designed an experiment she hopes to conduct on fellow college students.

While there’s still more research to be done on houseplants, the studies that exist so far show vast benefits from developing a green thumb. Neuroscientists don’t yet know the reason for the impact, but some surmise it could be from our inherent desire to connect with the environment.

“It may be that humans are essentially evolved to live in nature and it’s really been only recently we’ve been stuck inside,” said Cynthia Erickson, an MSU professor with a Ph.D. in neuroscience and psychology. “There is something to caring for something and nurturing something. When you have responsibility for something else, it kind of forces you to take better care of yourself.”

In one Korean study, researchers looked at the impacts of plant care for patients who recently had their appendix removed. Ninety patients were randomly assigned to hospital rooms with and without plants.

They found that those with plants and flowers in their rooms took “significantly fewer” pain medications and had lower ratings of anxiety and fatigue compared to those in the control group.

In another, researchers in Europe looked at the impact greenery had on students’ mental health during the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic. They found that visible greenery, including houseplants or a garden, were associated with reduced depression and anxiety symptoms.

“Students who spent most of their time at home during the COVID-19 epidemic experienced better mental health when exposed to more greenery,” according to the study.

So far, there are mixed results on how much fake plants create benefits, Erickson said.

“When you check on your plants and they grow, it’s kind of a feeling of satisfaction,” she said.

Erickson’s students recently completed their own study, which looked at stress levels for pet and plant owners.

“What we found was that it wasn’t necessary to have something to take on a walk,” she said. “It was just

Barb

Lori

South

303-757-7440

An employee at Tagawa Garden in Centennial reaches into a box containing di erent varieties of calatheas.

PHOTO BY SUSIE HAWKINS

can’t

Erickson said that while she doesn’t recommend someone struggling with a mental health

forgo other

simply buy a house plant, it can’t hurt to add one in.

no side effects of having a plant and it’s relatively inexpensive and it doesn’t take lots and lots of time,” she said.

plant, it’s not the end of the

the height of the pandemic, local garden supply workers, such as Dakota Jones from Tagawa Garden in Centennial, said they saw a signifi cant increase in folks interested in house plants and gardening.

“The increase in sales and interest since COVID hit has been, I think, at least 200%,” said Jones, who is the supervisor and buyer for Tagawa’s indoor plant section.

many of those trying out their green thumb, Jones has one main recommendation: Start with one plant at a time.

lot of people want to jump in and spend a whole bunch of cash

Two ivy plants at Tagawa Garden in Centennial.

PHOTOS BY SUSIE HAWKIN

and then they’re disappointed,” he said. “Just take it slow.”

As far as what to buy, the snake plant, the spider plant and succulents are usually good for beginners.

“Those trendy plants may not be a great place to start,” said Becky Atkinson, a plant doctor with Echter’s Nursery & Garden Center in Arvada.

Atkinson said she has seen many people buying the popular

leaf fi g plants but then calling in with many questions.

“They can be fussy and are prone to getting brown spots,” she said. “I wouldn’t recommend that one for a beginner plant owner.”

ter,” Atkinson said. “Don’t water on a schedule, water on the needs of the plant, which can vary by season.”

Another way to determine if the plant is getting the right amount is to spend time looking at how it’s changing.

“Your leaves will tell you everything you need to know about your plant,” Jones said.

With too much water, the leaves will become pruny or mushy. If dry and flaky, it likely means they haven’t had enough.

The direction the plant is moving may also indicate if it’s getting enough light. Succulents will start growing long, searching for more light if they’re not getting enough, Atkinson said.

Succulents, gardenias and hibiscus like lots of direct light. Things like zanzibar and ivy don’t need as much. Certain ferns also don’t demand lots of light and may thrive in a more humid setting like the bathroom or kitchen, Jones said.

talking with beginners, Jones makes sure to focus on the importance of lighting and watering when caring for houseplants.

“I always try to end with watering,” he said. “I want that to be the precious thing in their mind.”

When it comes to watering, it’s important not to do too much or too little.

Atkinson said she’s seen many cases of people killing their plant with kindness.

“I always tell people: Stick your fi nger in the pot before you wa-

For other plants that need more humidity than Colorado provides, Jones recommends trying out misting plants so they can absorb moisture through their leaves.

“Every plant has its own personality,” Jones said. “It’s just like people.”

If all else fails, Jones and Atkinson both recommend bringing photos and a description of your houseplant issue to a local garden shop to ask an expert.

“If you see something going wrong we like to try to help you fi x it before it becomes fatal,” Atkinson said.

From left, a string of dolphins, philodendron, and inch plant in Tagawa Gardens in Centennial.

PHOTO BY SUSIE HAWKINS

Help Wanted

faucets, garbage disposals, wall patching, texturing, interior painting & much more! Top quality. Reasonable rates. Call Mike at 303-587-2610.

Lawn/Garden Services

SOUTH DENVER LAWN SERVICE Mowing, Trimming, Edging, Aeration. Landscaping, Trees & Shrubs, Gutter Cleaning, Yard Clean-Up. Call Jasper, 720-2961141 (cell), or email sdls1169@ gmail.com.

PROFESSIONAL OUTDOOR SERVICES

Evergreens, shrubs & trees; planted, trimmed,

Ross

We continue to invest in innovation and people, developing new businesses and state-of-the art tools that support new products that produce superior ROIs

clients. We believe that a creative, learning environment staffed with talented people who want to grow and utilize the newest and best tools will result in a dynamic and successful culture that has a positive impact on our clients business and our community. Our brand is one of the most trusted in our community. We’ve built this reputation by providing award-winning news coverage and by being engaged in our community at all levels. As a true marketer, we want you to bring your experience and expertise to develop the best advertising and audience programs for local advertisers needing to engage with the community to grow their business. We value teamwork. We embrace opinions, perspectives, cultures and backgrounds that energizes the company and fuels our passion to do what’s right for our readers, our advertisers and our employees. If you’ve got the drive and the passion, together we can take your career farther than you’ve ever imagined. We are building a sales team that will be the face of the changing media landscape. We are looking for people who are excited to represent our emerging brands and our trusted, traditional ones too. Join our team, working from our Englewood offices and remote. If you’re as passionate as we are about our mission to grow and engage our community, please apply. This position offers competitive pay and a comprehensive benefit package that includes medical, dental, vision, life, and paid holiday, vacation, sick and personal time. As an added bonus, you’ll office less than 60 minutes from the best Colorado has to offer in outdoor recreation.

YARD MAINTENANCE/

Handyman

Lawn/Garden Services

Colorado Community Media is hiring native-digital sales professionals seeking to build their career with the largest local media company in Colorado.

Loneliness may play role in Alzheimer’s, Colorado researcher says

professor investigates

BY ELLIS ARNOLD COLORADO COMMUNITY MEDIA

Dr. Rebecca Mullen had been seeing a patient for about four years, and she noticed he was becoming more and more lonely — he would come to see her more often just for a social connection.

Then, he started to experience a rapid decline in his memory and was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease.

Mullen wondered whether the man’s loneliness was “one of his first telltale signs” that he was developing a memory problem before people ever noticed it.

If she had seen the potential connection before, “could I have changed the trajectory of his memory decline?” Mullen wondered.

It’s the kind of question that led her to focus on the role of loneliness in the development of Alzheimer’s disease, the topic of a study she is conducting and seeking participants for.

There’s a growing body of research on the negative health impacts of loneliness, said Mullen, an assistant professor at the University of Colorado Department of Family Medicine.

But “what is loneliness doing that may be impacting brain health? (And) is there a loneliness time frame that matters — does it matter how long someone is lonely for?” Mullen said.

Also on her mind: Does it matter whether someone recovers from loneliness?

Unpacking loneliness

Loneliness may seem like a difficult feeling to track, but there are a few “validated measures” of loneliness, Mullen said.

The most common one is the University of California, Los Angeles, or UCLA, loneliness questionnaire, she said. Researchers can measure different dimensions of loneliness, such as if a person is feeling a lack of companionship, feeling isolated or just left out. It’s the type of measure Mullen will use in her research.

For some people, loneliness may be a temporary feeling of missing friends, family or intimate relationships, but Mullen believes long-term loneliness may signal serious consequences, including cognitive decline and increased risk of Alzheimer’s disease, according to a news release about her research.

A number of studies suggest that people with cognitive impairment have higher levels of loneliness than those without cognitive impairment, potentially due to the social disengagement that may occur with increased deficits in comprehension, memory and communication, Mullen said

in the news release.

That’s one way that brain decline can fuel social isolation, a pattern that could then further intensify problems with the brain.

It’s a “chicken and the egg” issue, Mullen said.

“Does loneliness always come first, then leading to memory problems down the road, or do memory problems come first and then they become lonely?” Mullen told Colorado Community Media.

Previous work has illustrated that those with transient, or temporary, loneliness do not have increased risk for Alzheimer’s disease, while those with persistent loneliness do, according to the news release.

Looking for study participants

Mullen’s research recently started, and she’s looking for more participants — and it’s not difficult to join the study.

The current patient cohort is 90% White, so Mullen is looking for people from different backgrounds to make the study more diverse.

“This is actually an issue (throughout the field), where the people we’re recruiting and engaging to be in our studies don’t reflect the population,” Mullen said.

Women are at a higher risk of developing Alzheimer’s than men, and Black Americans and Hispanic Americans are at a higher risk of Alzheimer’s compared to their White counterparts, Mullen said.

Her research will include healthy people without any signs or symptoms of cognitive decline and follow their changes in loneliness, brain activity and biomarkers, or signs of Alzheimer’s, according to the news release.

Those who decide to participate in the study would do an annual evaluation where researchers reach out and ask them a variety of questions about loneliness and memory, Mullen said.

Some participants may do brain imaging, she said. Mullen hopes people are willing to be involved for multiple years because the study needs to collect data over time. But there’s no weekly or monthly commitment needed to participate, she said.

Those interested in participating can email rebecca.mullen@cuanschutz.edu or call Jim Herlihy with the Colorado chapter of the Alzheimer’s Association at 970-590-5885.

The Alzheimer’s Association is a nonprofit health organization that works to accelerate progress in the prevention and cure of Alzheimer’s.

A problem on the rise

Mullen, who teaches family-medicine residents at the CU Anschutz Medical Campus in

Aurora, feels that there’s not enough attention on trying to understand the risk factors that can lead to Alzheimer’s.

“Because ideally, you (wouldn’t) even develop Alzheimer’s, so you (wouldn’t) need treatment. This is going to become so important as people” continue to live longer, Mullen said.

The prevalence of Alzheimer’s is expected to double over the next 30 years. In the U.S., there are 6.5 million people with Alzheimer’s disease or another form of dementia — that’s projected to increase to 13 million in the U.S. by 2050, Mullen said.

Alzheimer’s disease is a memory-affecting condition that worsens over time, and dementia is a general term for loss of memory and other mental abilities that interferes with daily life.

“Understanding how (critical) our social health is for our brain — that is something we can all act on now,” Mullen said.

Rebecca Mullen, a University of Colorado researcher, is exploring the ways in which long-term loneliness may be related to Alzheimer’s disease. COURTESY PHOTO

BY LISA SCHLICHTMAN SPECIAL TO COLORADO COMMUNITY MEDIA

Ask any Denver resident if they know lower downtown was once home to a bustling Chinatown, and the answer is probably “no.”

Denver’s Chinatown, which was located in an area known as Hop Alley that formed behind Wazee Street between 15th and 17th streets, was destroyed on Oct. 31, 1880, during an anti-Chinese race riot. Whites and Chinese Americans clashed following a brawl in a saloon, and a violent white mob burned down every Chinese-owned business in the area. One Chinese man, Look Young, was lynched during the riot, and others were severely beaten.

For decades, this violent piece of Denver’s past was relegated to a few paragraphs in local history books and remained relatively hidden — until the city erected a plaque at Blake and 20th streets near Coors Field to commemorate the riot. That marker, which was found to be inaccurate and racist, was removed in August just five months after Mayor Michael Hancock issued a formal apology to the descendants of Denver’s Chinese immigrants for the city’s role in the destruction of Denver’s Chinatown.

And now, a new documentary, “Reclaiming Denver’s Chinatown,” aims to further set the record straight and share the true story of Denver’s Chinese community. The 53-minute film, which was produced by the city’s Office of Storytelling as part of its #IAmDenver documentaries project, premieres Nov. 10 during the Denver Film Festival.

The documentary provides an overview of the history of Denver’s Chinatown and its destruction, but it doesn’t dwell on the past. Instead, it delves into how the city’s Chinese population was able to rise above that night of violence and become contributing members of the Denver community, despite adversity.

Documentary filmmaker and journalist Roxana A. Soto, who is the producer and co-director of the film, said the project took about a year and half to complete. It began with a call from Linda Lung, a descendent of some of Denver’s early Chinatown residents. She was familiar with the work the Office of Storytelling was doing and wanted to share her family’s history.

“This story actually came to us, which shows the power of what we (the Office of Storytelling) are doing is working, because people are now coming to us and saying, `I have this story,’” Soto said. “In trying to make sure the history of Denver is told from all points of view and not just the white male point of view, we’re trying to make it more complete, more equitable, more inclusive.”

Soto interviewed Lung and her cousin Heather Lung Clifton as part of the documentary. They’re both Denver natives, and in recent years, have spent a lot of time tracking down their family’s history, which they’ve traced back to the birth of their entrepreneurial great-grandmother, Ahmoy Lung, who was born in Oregon in 1871 and eventually moved with her family to Denver. She was the family’s matriarch and owned and operated several businesses.

Lung and Clifton said they got involved in the film project because they wanted to ensure that the history of Denver’s Chinese population was told — and told accurately.

“They were trying to make it better for us,” Clifton said.

She became a teacher and a school administrator and still works as an

educational consultant. Lung was a social worker, worked in the telecommunications industry and eventually retired from the National Renewable Energy Laboratory in Golden.

Lung said the residents of Chinatown didn’t disappear after the riot. Instead, they stayed and found a way to survive.

“It was a thriving community, and it still continues to be a thriving community,” Lung said. “You have to remember that America didn’t want us here so they (Denver’s Chinese residents) did whatever they had to do to survive. It might be restaurants, it might be opium or it might be running a lottery.”

According to a directory that was published in the International Chinese Business Directory in the 1920s, only 40 years after the destruction of Chinatown, Denver’s downtown was home to a long list of Chinese-owned businesses. These included laundries, restaurants, groceries and stores selling general merchandise and Chinese goods. And as Denver’s Chinese population grew, families moved away from downtown and into other areas of the city.

The Lung family owned three restaurants in Denver: the Shanghai at 2130 Arapahoe St., the Yuye Cafe at 2801 Welton St. and the Rickshaw Boy on South Broadway. As children, Clifton and Lung have fond memories of big family gatherings in the home of their grandparents, Lucille and Charlie Lung, at 21st and Vine. The big wraparound porch would be filled with card tables lined up side-by-side, and those eating at the tables included aunts and uncles, cousins and people who were boarders at the big threestory home.

“Most of our family grew up fairly poor. We wore hand-me-down clothes, bought day-old bread and always washed clothes in a laundromat,” Clifton said. “Since then, we’ve all been able to establish ourselves in fairly good neighborhoods and positions. We all got college degrees, and became educated, and we have lots of people in the family who are doctors and lawyers and nurses. A lot of people really rose above the poverty we grew up in.”

In addition to the Lungs, the documentary features other prominent Chinese families in the Denver area, who also share their stories.

“The main thing to know about the Chinese is that they really have been in Denver since Denver became a city, and I don’t think most people know that,” Soto said. “It’s a common thread story among immigrants. They work extremely hard in whatever jobs they can find, so that the future generations didn’t have to do that kind of work. This documentary is almost like a window into what it was like to be Chinese American from the late 1800s to now.”

Soto said it’s heartwarming and satisfying when people see themselves on the big screen, telling never-beforetold stories that they thought no one cared about.

“We’re bringing to light these stories, and there’s a lot of hardship, but at the end of the day, we’re all just trying to do the same thing — survive and thrive, and you know, get ahead,” Soto said. “There’s a common thread. It’s humanity.”

This photo of Denver’s Bing Kong Tong society was taken on Aug. 26, 1929. Tongs were associations, or fraternal organizations, that originally formed to help protect Chinese Americans from discrimination.

COURTESY OF LINDA LUNG

`Reclaiming Denver’s Chinatown’ documentary premiers as part of Denver Film Festival

The screening of “Reclaiming Denver’s Chinatown” takes place at 6 p.m. at the Denver Botanic Gardens, 1007 York. St. The event is free but tickets are required. Reserve them at tinyurl.com/ReclaimingDenverChinatown. The documentary will be available on the O ce of Storytelling’s website following the premiere.