SOIL HEALTH

study microscopy. rough the eyes of a microscope, a farmer can witness the soil ecosystem in action, but studying soil ecology doesn’t require a microscope. Diversity in critters — worms, ladybugs, rolypolies, etc. — is an indication of a a domestic violence situation. Little did I know that this decision would not only provide me with a ordable housing and education opportunities, but also vital mental health services.

Before coming to Warren Village, I had already earned a certi cate in medical assisting, but was struggling to make ends meet. I saw the nonpro t as an opportunity to not only continue my education and pay low rent, but also access a range of services such as career development, housing and personal nance, child development and, of course, mental health counseling.

It was just before COVID-19 struck that I began meeting with Pam, a counselor at Warren Village. In response to the pandemic, we shifted balanced biology.

Even without a microscope, understanding what healthy soil looks, feels and smells like can inform better practices. Undisturbed soil will evolve with its plant inhabitants. Rich brown, textured soil that smells like a forest will feed a vegetable plant on its own, without nutrient additives. A calculated ‘less is more’ soil management approach gives our soil a to virtual sessions. Despite the challenges, this counseling proved to be life-changing for me. I was diagnosed with PTSD and ADHD, and being able to work with a professional to organize my thoughts and feelings was a game-changer.

Since leaving Warren Village, I now own a home and possess the necessary resilience and coping skills to prioritize other aspects of my life, such as decorating my new house and providing my daughter with quality possessions without relying on government aid. I consider myself lucky to continue receiving help from Pam through regular counseling sessions, and I will always be appreciative to Warren Village for facilitating this connection.

Now, more than ever, it is crucial chance to breathe.

Regenerative agriculture rede nes the farmers’ relationship with nature. Humans’ senses have evolved with plants — the smell of healthy soil triggers serotonin production in the human brain. Alternatively, our negative reaction to the putrid smell of greenhouse gases produced by harmful bacteria warns us of toxicity. ese ne-tuned deep intuitions can become regenerative farmer’s to prioritize your mental well-being. e recent pandemic has taken a toll on all of us, but particularly those who were already struggling with psychological issues. almanac. educators and therapists to ensure resources are available so the child can thrive through their situation. We know that youth with a CASA:

So I urge all of us to take the time this month to focus on our mental health and well-being. It is not always easy to prioritize ourselves, but it is crucial to living a healthy and ful lling life. Seek help now instead of potentially having problems compound over time.

Let us remember that mental health is just as important as physical health, and work towards ending the stigma and ensuring that everyone has access to the care they need.

By working in tandem with natural soil ecosystems, farmers can reduce the labor and expenses of disruptive soil tillage and chemical fertilizer application. Soil naturally wants to grow plants. By accepting help from nature, farmers can grow healthier plants more e ciently.

Rutger Meyers is a soil health technician for the Denver Botanic Gardens.

• Have signi cantly fewer placements and are less likely to re-enter the child welfare system.

• Have higher academic performance.

• Have improved behavior and self-control.

• Have improved overall wellbeing.

• Are less likely to turn to delinquency and crime.

In Colorado, nearly 5,000 children were served through the 18 CASA programs by nearly 2,000 CASA advocates. Even with these numbers, there are many children navigating these situations without a CASA volunteer. ere are ve metro area

CASA organizations that provide services in Adams, Arapahoe, Boulder, Broom eld, Denver, Douglas, Elbert, Gilpin, Je erson and Lincoln counties. ese organizations provide a number of additional donated resources like school supplies, holiday gifts, tickets for outings, and gift cards for groceries, retail and restaurants.

It’s time to invest in our communities’ future with a collective power of one. You can be the one. You can:

• Give your time and be a voice for these children.

• Be a champion and cheerleader — we all need one at some point, especially a child.

• Build their con dence and selfworth.

• Be a role model.

You can make a di erence in the future of our community by lifting these children up, guiding them on their journey and being the one stable in uence in their lives at a critical time of need.

We cannot underestimate the power one person can have, especially for our most vulnerable children. at’s essential and anything but cliché. is the 2022-2023 Colorado CASA of the Year.

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

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

April 3-June 30

April 28-May 27 event and a photo or event logo. Deadline is the 20th of each month for the event to be listed the following month. Submissions can be emailed to Christy Steadman at csteadman@coloradocommunitymedia.com.

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

PlatteForum: To Dusk, Art by Kenzie Sitterud

Time: Gallery hours: 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Wednesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays; or by appointment (contact sstrand@platteforum.org to make an appointment).

Location: PlatteForum Annex Gallery, 3575 Ringsby Court #103, Denver.

Cost: Free.

PlatteForum resident artist Kenzie Sitterud replicates the landscape of the Utah desert through material metaphor. “ e exhibition merges colliding environments and cultural

Meow Wolf: Beneath the Biophony

Time: Varies.

Location: Galleri Gallery at Meow Wolf Denver, 1338 First St.

Cost: Included with Meow Wolf admission price.

“Beneath the Biophony” is a collection of artwork by Denver-based Abby Gregg, an interdisciplinary artist who teaches painting at the University of Colorado-Denver. e collection includes “paintings, sculptures and soundscapes that are imaginings of microscopic, amphibious and submerged unseen realms,” states a news release.

More information/reservations: meowwolf. com/visit/denver

“Listen Closely” by Abby Gregg. Courtesy image.

May 12-13

Denver Botanic Gardens’ Spring Plant Sale

Time: 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. both days.

May 6-June 10

Curious Theatre Company: On the Exhale

Time: 7:30 Thursday-Saturday; 2 p.m. Sundays.

Location: Curious Theatre Company, 1080 Acoma St. in Denver.

Cost: Varies.

“On the Exhale” tells the story of a liberal college professor who, after a senseless act of violence changes her life forever, begins to suspect that when it comes to gun violence, we’re all part of the problem.

May 12-14

Cleo Parker Robinson Dance: Legacy in uences — the powerful impact the desert had on their formative memories, and the transformative impact capitalism has on us all,” states a news release.

Time: Varies.

More information/reservations: platteforum.org

Kenzie Sitterud. Courtesy photo.

More information/reservations: curioustheatre.org

Image courtesy of Curious eatre Company’s website.

Location: Cleo Parker Robinson Dance Theatre, 119 Park Ave. W.. Denver.

Cost: Varies per date. Cleo Parker Robinson Dance Ensemble’s spring concert, “Legacy,” will include a performance of “treasures long unseen from the richly diverse Cleo Parker Robinson Dance Ensemble’s 52 years of artistic brilliance, as well as a world premiere,” states its website. e Spring Plant Sale o ers an incredible selection of plants that aren’t found at big box stores, including vegetables, fruits, herbs, annuals, houseplants, aquatic plants and more. Many are native and low-water plants. Denver Botanic Gardens members receive 10% o purchases.

More information/reservations: cleoparkerdance.org Courtesy image.

Location: Denver Botanic Gardens’ York Street location, 1007 York St., Denver.

Cost: Free admission but advance registration is required.

More information/reservations: botanicgardens.org/events/specialevents/spring-plant-sale

Shoppers pick out plants at previous year’s Denver Botanic Gardens’ Spring Plant Sale. Photo by Scott Dressel-Martin/Denver Botanic Gardens.

May 13

Keep Platt Park Clean

Time: 9-11 a.m.

Location: James H. Platt Park,located o South Logan Street between East Florida and East Iowa avenues.

Cost: Free.

e Platt Park People’s Association (3PA), a registered neighborhood organization, is hosting its annual trash pickup and neighborhood cleanup e ort. Attendees should meet at James H. Platt Park and will then disperse throughout the neighborhood.

More information/reservations: 3pa.org/contact-us

May

Full Bloom Mother’s Day Tea

Time: 10:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.

Location: Center for Colorado Women’s History, 1310 Bannock St., Denver.

Cost: $30 members, $35 general public is tea event will o er a tea seating with food prepared by an o site caterer and a tour of the Center for Colorado Women’s History, an historic home. Seatings and tours are o ered at 10:30 a.m. or 1:30 p.m. and are selected at the time of booking.

More information/reservations: historycolorado.org

May 14 & June 4

¡Viva! Streets Denver

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

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

Cost: Free.

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

More information/reservations: vivastreetsdenver. com.

Courtesy logo.

May 22

Colorado Preservation, Inc.: 33rd annual Dana Crawford and State Honor Awards Celebration

Time: 5-9 p.m.

Location: Freyer-Newman Center at the Denver Botanic Gardens, 1007 York St., Denver.

Cost: Starts at $100.

Colorado Preservation, Inc. will recognize the accomplishments of individuals and projects that exhibit excellence in the areas of preservation, rehabilitation, advocacy, philanthropy and leadership. Visit Colorado Preservation, Inc.’s website to learn about the 2023 award recipients. More information/reservations: coloradopreservation.org Courtesy logo.

May 13

Sober Sessions concert: El Javi, Alysia Kraft, Kayla Marque

Time: 3-6 p.m.

Location: The Phoenix, 2239 Champa St., Denver.

Cost: Free. (Attendees should have 48 hours of continuous sobriety from alcohol and nonprescription drugs.)

Sober Sessions is a musical experience that builds a judgment-free, sober community for people who nd di culties participating in an industry that’s dominated by, and heavily rooted in, alcohol and substance misuse. It is expected that two Sober Sessions will take place in Denver this summer. e rst Sober Sessions concert on May 13 features live performances by El Javi, Alysia Kraft and Kayla Marque, and a panel discussion about the important role music plays in one’s recovery, mental health and

May 14 & June 4

Taste of Colorado is year, the Taste of Colorado event will take place during the four ¡Viva! Streets Denver events. It will still o er the longtime event favorites — including food and drink options, entertainment and live music, children’s activities, local artisans and vendor booths, and public art displays — as in past years. Taste of Colorado dates physical health. It is made possible through a partnership between Music Minds Matter, e Phoenix and the Denver Music Advancement fund provided by Denver Arts & Venues. More information/reservations: musicminds.org/sober-sessions

Time: 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.

Location: Civic Center Park, 101 W. 14th Ave., Denver.

Cost: Free admission.

Courtesy logo.

Time: 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Location: University of Denver’s Fritz Knoebel Events, 2044 E. Evans Ave., Denver.

Cost: Free, advance registration is highly recommended.

The Alzheimer’s Foundation of America is hosting a free Alzheimer’s & Caregiving Educational Conference for Colorado residents. The free conference is open to everyone and will allow participants to learn are May 14, June 4, July 9 and Aug. 6. More information/reservations: atasteofcolorado.com Courtesy logo.

Advance Care Planning for the Person with Dementia; and Navigating Alzheimer’s, a Mile at a Time. Attendees will also be able to participate in free, confidential memory screenings will be conducted throughout the day.

More information/reservations: alzfdn. org/tour to post-concert receptions where concert-goers can enjoy refreshments and meet the musicians.

The Alzheimer’s Foundation of America is hosting a free educational conference on May 17. Photo courtesy of the Alzheimer’s Foundation of America.

To get an idea of how the More an Music themes work, when DPO performed its Celtic Celebration around St. Patrick’s Day, the program included both Scottish and Irish music — Mendelssohn’s Scottish symphony, as well as an Irish piece of the Brendan Voyage, written by Shawn Davey, a living Irish composer.

“Before the concert, and during intermission, there were more happenings, such as serving Irish whiskey and Scotch, plus tastings and Irish step dancing,” Golan said. “For the kids, we had miniature golf.”

He added that the sport was born in Scotland.

Roger Haak joins the DPO

As DPO reaches back this year, the organization recently welcomed Roger Haak as its new executive director.

Haak replaces Valerie Clausen, who is transitioning from the position after 11 years. Clausen has been a violinist in the orchestra for 17 years, and it is expected she will continue to serve the DPO.

Haak’s background includes work with the Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art in Bentonville, Arkansas, and the Artosphere Festival Orchestra in Fayetteville, Arkansas. He also is a classically trained vocalist and a new talent coordinator at Comedy Works in Denver, which occasionally requires a little standup on his part.

Haak comes to DPO from the Denver Center for the Performing Arts, where he was VIP ticketing manager. “I’m like a one-stop shop,” Haak said, adding his role with the DPO touches upon just about every detail involved in running such a unique organization. e DPO “enables me to incorporate everything I learned at DCPA and elsewhere.”

A local connection

Antonia Brico was a trailblazer, Haak said. She was told that she could not be a conductor of an orchestra based solely on her gender, he added. But “she came to Denver, and now we get to perform this again in Denver,” Haak said of the “Crown Jewel” concert. “ ere’s a real local connection happening here.”