Washington Park Profile 0402

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APRIL 2020

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AN UNEXPECTED NEW NORMAL Parents discuss balancing child care, work from home

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A LUXURIOUS PROCESS Marie-Margot Couture makes a bride’s gown vision come true

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MANAGING ANXIETY Age-old tricks to help with unease amid COVID-19 pandemic

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‘IN IT TOGETHER’ Local musician uses platform to benefit Meals on Wheels

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INVENTIVE KIDS Students find solutions to problems

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2 Washington Park Profile

April 2020

Business Matters Christy Steadman | csteadman@coloradocommunitymedia.com Editor’s Note: Business Matters is a monthly column featuring business news in Denver. The column for April is taking a different shape this month to reflect how local businesses are operating under mandates set by the state and city of Denver to prevent the spread of the COVID-19 virus.

For April, the column includes both the Life on Capitol Hill and Washington Park Profile coverage areas. But, it is by no means an exhaustive list. Colorado Community Media urges you to reach out to your favorite local businesses — follow them on social media, visit their websites or give them a phone call — to find out how you can help support them in these difficult times.

We are staying up-to-date on all COVID-19 announcements affecting the community, and the Business Matters column will return as usual once appropriate.

In the meantime, if you are a local business that would like readers to know what you’re doing during the disruption caused by the novel coronavirus pandemic, email Christy Steadman at csteadman@coloradocommunitymedia.com.

Cherry Creek North Small businesses are facing a particularly difficult time.

“But things are not shut down completely,” Nick LeMasters, president and CEO of Cherry Creek North, said of local businesses. “It’s important to continue to support them.”

Specifically, he said, “shop at them.”

While some shops are staying open, many are offering online shopping options, with

some waiving delivery fees. Others are limiting open hours and/or providing open hours by appointment.

If you’re heading to a specific small business destination, call ahead to check on their hours, LeMasters said.

Cherry Creek North consists of 16 walkable blocks, and is there for people to take a stroll, window shop and enjoy the setting, while still practicing social distancing, LeMasters said.

Another creative way to support local businesses is to purchase a gift card for use in the future, LeMasters added.

LeMasters is “hopeful this virus gets contained quickly,” he said, adding that he’s “certain the shops will re-open once they feel comfortable.”

Sushi Den www.sushiden.net Yasu Kizaki believes that independent restaurants have a unique personality and spirit.

“Small local businesses have an entire ecosystem in their orbit which sustains, empowers and benefits the community in ways seen, and unseen,” Kizaki said. “In addition, small businesses are the DNA of a community giving it unique character, spirit and vitality.”

Kizaki, along with his brother Toshi Kizaki, are co-owners of Sushi Den, Izakaya Den and OTOTO Den, all located at 1487 S. Pearl St. in Denver’s Platt Park neighborhood.

Not able to offer in-restaurant dining under the current emergency order, the sushi restaurants are offering a special Den Corner Curbside To-Go Menu.

STRONGER

TOGETHER At Bellco Credit Union, we’re here to support our members and our Colorado community during these uncertain times. Since 1936, Bellco has been a financially sound institution that was built for the sole purpose of serving our members — and that remains true today. As a local, not-for-profit credit union, we are here to provide individuals and small businesses with the financial tools to meet their unique needs.

To learn more about how we can help today, visit Bellco.org.

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Toshi, left, and Yasu Kizaki own Suhi Den. COURTESY PHOTO

“As COVID-19 has begun to greatly affect the hospitality industry nationwide, the well-being of our staff and guests remains our absolute No.1 priority,” the Kizaki brothers said in a news release. “All of us at Sushi Den, Izakaya Den and OTOTO send our most heartfelt wishes to you, our guests, for your health and wellness during this difficult and uncertain time.”

Pet Wants Denver https://petwantsdenver.com/ While we’re doing everything we can for human health, said Jess Green, owner of Pet Wants Denver, “it’s also important to make sure our pets are taken care of.”

“We are less worried about pets contracting this disease,” Green said. Still, she added, “I think this is a good time to think about keeping your pets healthy year-round.”

Pet Wants Denver is a mobile pet supply store that offers small-batch, fresh pet food for dogs and cats; supplements; treats and chews; and homemade spa products.

It is a small business and dependent on the community, Green said. She added that a lot of the business’s income is generated from selling its products at various events, which because of COVID-19 have all been canceled.

“Right now, we’re dependent on online sales, which include free delivery,” Green said.

Pet Wants Denver services all of Denver’s neighborhoods and surrounding communities.

“We want to do everything we can to support our Denver pet community,” Green said.

“Our pets provide us with so much companionship. They’ll love always having you home during these times.”

SEE BUSINESS, P3

Washington Park Profile 3

April 2020

BUSINESS FROM PAGE 2

Fox Run Café https://foxruncafe.com/ Though it’s a challenging time to open a restaurant, Lucien Reichert and his team decided to forge on and opened Fox Run Café on March 18, offering a limited menu pickup service.

“As someone who grew up in Denver, I’m excited to be creating a restaurant in my neighborhood for such a vibrant community,” Reichert said. “We’re rallying friends, family, neighbors and the community to support us through this unconventional beginning of the restaurant.”

Fox Run Café is located at 3350 E. Colfax Ave. in Denver’s Congress Park neighborhood.

It features a breakfast-and-lunch menu that “focuses on simplistic, high-quality and seasonal ingredients,” states a news release.

The Spot Denver www.thespotgym.com/denver The Spot, a bouldering gym in the Golden Triangle, celebrated obtaining a liquor license in February.

Not even a month later, to comply with state mandates to prevent the spread of COVID-19, the gym announced its closure through at least the end of March.

“This was the hardest decision we have faced in our 18 years of serving you,” states a note on the gym’s website.

The Spot opened its first location in Boulder in 2002, and The Spot Denver, 1235 Delaware St., opened in April 2019.

“We know that climbing is a very important part of your lives, we’ll all be sad that we need to close for this time,” the note states. “We look forward to reopening to climb and party with you again. This too shall pass.”

Keep Calm and Carry Out https://keepcalmcarryout.com/ Sage Restaurant Concepts has launched its Keep Calm and Carry Out to help raise money to benefit local food banks amid the COVID-19 pandemic.

“We’ve always been committed to our communities,” states a news release. “As we face the unprecedented challenge of COVID-19, we wanted to find a way to continue to contribute to our communities.”

How it works is for every carry-out order placed at any participating Sage Restaurant Concepts location and partnering restaurants, $1 will be donated to Feeding America, an organization helping local food banks respond to COVID-19.

In Denver, Food Bank of the Rockies, www.foodbankrockies.org, will be the recipient of the Feeding America donations.

To find a list of participating restaurants, visit the Keep Calm and Carry Out website provided above.

“We hope to help bring a sense of calm during this trying time. Social distancing doesn’t mean you have to eat only nonperishable food or sit back without taking action,” the news release states. “Enjoy a satisfying meal, feed the family and eliminate stress while helping your community.”

Insomnia Cookies https://insomniacookies.com/ For those with a sweet tooth, Insomnia Cookies will continue baking and has recently launched contact-free delivery options, according to its Facebook page.

Customers who place an order for delivery can now choose to have their delivery

Fox Run Café. left at the door.

Insomnia Cookies celebrated the grand opening of its second bakery in Denver in February. The new 78 S. Broadway location joins Insomnia Cookies’ other location at 2075 S. University Blvd.

As its name implies, the bakery specializes in cookies but also offers cookie cakes, ice cream cookiewiches and brownies.

Streets Denver https://www.facebook.com/streetsdenver/ John Elliott, owner of Streets Denver, a live music venue and bar in Denver’s Capitol Hill neighborhood, has concerns about paying the establishment’s rent with zero revenue coming in, but is more concerned about his seven employees.

“They lose 100% of their income,” Elliott said.

They will remain on payroll so they can come in and be paid for cleaning and making updates to the bar, he said, but as people who rely on tips as primary income, it will likely be hard for them to make ends meet. Elliott said he plans to find any way that he can help supplement their income — even if it means having them help with tasks that need to be done at his home.

Elliott spoke with other local bar owners, he said, and the conversation included a prediction that 20% to 30% of small businesses in the entertainment industry may not be able to reopen.

“But we hope we’re wrong,” Elliott said.

Streets Denver had to close down completely and cancel all shows until May 11.

However, to help keep interest generated in Denver’s local music scene, Streets Denver is using Facebook to promote local bands, such as posting music videos.

“Our hearts go out to all the bands, venues, promoters, street team members, customers and everyone in our industry,” Streets Denver wrote in a Facebook post.

Grandma’s House https://www.grandmasbeer.co/ Like many breweries, Grandma’s House, 1710 S. Broadway, will continue producing beer and will offer their product to go.

“This is going to affect us all,” brewery

COURTESY PHOTO

owner Matt Fuerst said of the closures caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. “But as difficult as this is on all of us, we understand the rationale.”

Along with finding a way to sustain itself, the brewery put thought into what it can do to help the community also facing hard times. What it came up with is implementing its Pay-What-You-Can To-Go

Beer Menu.

“While we hope that our wonderful customers will do whatever you can to help us stay afloat for the foreseeable future, we would also love to provide a little relief to those with reduced financial means right now,” states a note on Grandma’s House’s website. “In times like these, we have to stick together more than ever.”

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4 Washington Park Profile

April 2020

Denver issues stay-at-home order Residents can still buy food and go to doctor Staff report

Denver Mayor Michael B. Hancock on March 16 addresses members of the media on updates to the city and county’s response to COVID-19. As of March 17, all restaurants and bars in Denver were closed to onsite service until May 11. Delivery, carry-out and drive-through services are permitted. The mayor issued a stay at home order on March 23, effective until April 10, to escalate social distancing measures to prevent further spread of the COVID-19 virus.

CHRISTY STEADMAN

Denver Mayor Michael B. Hancock announced on March 23 that a new Public Health Order with an “explicit stay at home directive” has been issued for the city and county of Denver to escalate social distancing measures to prevent further spread of the COVID-19 virus.

The order will be in effect through April 10, but may be extended if necessary.

“This stay at home order responds to the public health advice we have received as well as ongoing conversations with the governor and metro mayors,” Hancock said in a news release. “People and businesses need to continue to take physical distancing seriously to make an impact on the spread of this virus. Frankly, voluntary ‘distancing’ is simply not enough.”

The state urged people to remain home except to buy food, obtain medication or health care service or collect supplies needed to work from home.

In a statement about Denver’s action, Gov. Jared Polis, who has stopped short of issuing such an order as of March 23, said: “Last week, San Miguel (County) issued a stay at home order for non-critical functions and additional isolation measures were also taken in Gunnison, Eagle, and Summit counties.

Today the city and county of Denver issued a similar order.

“I’m strongly in support of these local efforts, and it’s extremely important that just as our state is acting boldly and urgently, that our county health departments are also taking strong actions ... taking into account local factors like population density and concentration of coronavirus cases, to best contain the spread of the virus.

“Thank you to Mayor Hancock and other local leaders making strong moves to reduce the spread of the virus in communities across our state.”

The following are considered “critical” industries that are exempt from the order: • Health care • Infrastructure, including utilities, fuel, public water, telecommunications, transportation and food supply chain • Hotels • Businesses and organizations that provide for disadvantaged people, and those that provide necessities to the economically disadvantaged • Manufacturing, including food, beverages, chemicals, medical equipment, pharmaceuticals, sanitary products • Agriculture • Retail, including grocery stores, liquor stores, farms, gas stations, restaurants and bars, hardware stores • Marijuana dispensaries (for medical or curbside delivery)

• Services, including trash and recycling, mail, shipping, laundromats, building cleaning and maintenance, auto supply and repair, funeral homes, crematoriums, cemeteries, and animal shelters and rescues • Warehouses and distribution • Child care • News media • Financial institutions • Construction • Defense • Public safety, including law enforcement, fire response, emergency medical technicians, security, disinfection, cleaning, building code enforcement and snow removal • Logistics, tech support or contractors with critical government services • Critical government functions

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Statewide mandated dine-in closures, issued to curb the spread of the coronavirus, have left local restaurants scrambling to stay afloat and keep their staff employed.

Many now offer curbside delivery and takeout services, and a new resource created by Visit Denver, Boulder Convention & Visitor’s Bureau, Eat Denver and the Colorado Restaurant Association allows residents to find restaurants that remain open for takeout or delivery during the shut-down.

ToGoDenver.com offers local restaurants free registration to list their home or curbside delivery and takeout services available, and restaurant seekers can

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search listings by restaurant name, by neighborhood or by cuisine.

“This crisis is creating immense hardship for our local hospitality community, but this new resource gives us all an opportunity to do our part in supporting our local restaurants that have made Denver and Boulder among the finest culinary scenes in the country,” Richard W. Scharf, president and CEO of Visit Denver, said in a news release. “Our hope is that ToGoDenver. com will help fill an urgent need to aid local restaurants as they struggle to remain in businesses through these difficult times.”

Visit Denver, which also hosts the annual Denver Restaurant Week, has created a portal for restaurants to upload their information. In addition, local media partners including The Denver Post and Westword are lending their support to the effort.

Learn more at https://www.denver. org/restaurants/restaurants-open-forcarryout-or-delivery-due-to-coronavirusmarch-2020. The hashtag #coloradocurbside on Instagram is also a helpful resource.

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Washington Park Profile 5

April 2020

‘The unknown creates a lot of unease’ Mental health professionals provide tips to manage anxiety

By Christy Steadman csteadman@coloradocommunitymedia.com

It is natural for the unknown to create a lot of distress.

“Accept anxiety as an integral part of human experience,” said Vincent Atchity, president and CEO of Mental Health Colorado. But “the key is not to let anxiety get the better of us.”

There are “age-old tricks” people can do to support their mental health and Atchity “ease the anxiety you and your friends and loved ones likely feel” in the midst of this public health crisis, Atchity said.

He suggests to stay in the moment and go about your ordinary, daily tasks. For example, take care of the routine chores such as washEvans ing the laundry or cleaning the dishes.

“By focusing on the small things,” Atchity said, “we can re-instate normality.”

Being physically active can also help, Atchity said.

“One of the best things that people

MORE INFORMATION

WARNING SIGNS

To learn more about resources to help manage your mental health, contact: Mental Health Center of Denver: https://mhcd.org/ Mental Health Colorado: https://www.mentalhealthcolorado.org/

Heightened stress and anxiety during the COVID-19 pandemic is a normal, human reaction to the crisis, said mental health experts in the Denver metro area. But it can also escalate into an unhealthy state of mind.

Losing interest in activities

can do for their mental health is get outside and enjoy the sunshine,” Atchity said. “The sounds and sights of the natural world, and the sunshine, can help put the drama of our human world in a healthier perspective.”

Also, avoid consuming “toxic amounts of information about things over which you have no control,” Atchity said.

One way to do this, Atchity said, is to choose a time of day “when you feel strong” enough to absorb 20-30 minutes of the local and global updates on the crisis from a reliable source.

Some of us may also begin to experience feelings of loneliness and isolation, Atchity said. This is a time when we’re presented with an opportunity to make ourselves most valuable to others, he said.

“The vast majority of us as human beings require each other,” he said. “People end up cheering each other up. We can bring out our better selves in the face of a crisis.”

Even if it means “companionship from a distance,” Atchity said, such as going for a walk with your neighbor while on opposite sides of the street or making a call a longtime friend.

“With isolation, we have to be mindful

Food banks cope with increased demand Organizations ask for help as COVID-19 has created new challenges

By Joseph Rios jrios@coloradocommunitymedia.com

Grocery stores aren’t the only entities who are feeling the impact of COVID-19 — food banks are too.

Erin Pulling, president and CEO for Food Bank of the Rockies, said the organization that provides food to 700 food pantries in Colorado and Wyoming depends on grocery store donations for about a third of the product it distributes.

“We’ve seen store donations from our grocery partners decrease over the past couple of weeks while we are trying to dramatically increase the amount of food we are distributing,” said Pulling. Food Bank of the Rockies receives food from stores like King Soopers, Safeway, Walmart and Costco locations.

“We’ve already seen (an increase in food distributions), and we expect an increase in need for months to come. So many people are without jobs or unable to work due to childcare issues,” she added.

Overall, food distribution roughly doubled the week of March 16 in comparison

to the previous week for the organization, Pulling said. Food donations from residents to the organization can be complicated because Food Bank of the Rockies needs to sort, sanitize and redistribute all food donations.

“It is more impactful for people to make a financial gift, and we need volunteers,” said Pulling. Opportunities for both can be found at foodbankrockies.org.

Integrated Family Community Services, a nonprofit based in Arapahoe County that provides services like school supplies, financial assistance, clothing and food through its food bank at 3370 S. Irving St., has also seen an increase in demand.

Todd McPherson, development director for Integrated Family Community Services, said that at the height of 2019, the organization was feeding 800 families a month.

Now, Integrated Family Services has been seeing over 200 people a day come by for food.

The organization is now an emergency food provider, McPherson said, and it is offering food to everyone in the state.

“The hunger issue was real in the (Denver metro area), and now it is going to become more real than ever. We desperately need support to provide and to plan for the future to have confidence that we

SEE FOOD BANKS, P21

HELP AVAILABLE someone typically enjoys, being unable to eat or eating too much, being unable to sleep and increased substance use are all signs someone may need to seek professional help to manage his or her mental health during the outbreak.

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of people who struggle with anxiety” and depression, said Zaneta Evans, program manager of Healthy Living at the Mental Health Center of Denver. “Keep in mind that we’re all in this together.”

Outreach can become a cycle of giving and receiving, she added.

“People are accustomed to sending a quick text,” Evans said. And while that’s good for some, she added, “others may need to hear your voice.”

Phone calls and video chats are great, but Evans points out that we have not always had — and some people don’t have ac-

Those experiencing serous concerns about mental health issues — either of their own or someone close — can call the Colorado Crisis Services at 1-844493-8255 or text “TALK” to 38255.

cess to — this modern-day technology to keep in touch.

“Be creative and think outside of the box,” Evans said.

One idea, she said, is to send a postcard or letter through the mail.

Something to remember is that overall wellness is a holistic approach that includes both mental and physical health.

“The unknown creates a lot of unease,” Evans said. “And people will have varying ways to handle this. It’s important to understand and accept everyone’s different way of coping.”

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6 Washington Park Profile

April 2020

Students scheduled to begin online classes April 7

By Christy Steadman csteadman@coloradocommunitymedia.com

The Stepelman family is using the extended spring break to connect online with out-of-state family members.

The family’s children, who attend Teller Elementary School, receive math lessons from their grandmother and virtual piano lessons from their grandfather.

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Denver Public Schools is transitioning to remote learning until at least April 20.

Online classes will begin on April 7, the first day of scheduled instruction following the extended spring break which began on March 16.

Plans to extend spring break were announced on March 12 as a response to COVID-19.

The district is offering breakfast and lunch meals as a grab-and-go service at eight locations: • Abraham Lincoln High School, 2285 S. Federal Blvd.

• Joe Shoemaker School, 3333 S Havana St. • Place Bridge Academy, 7125 Cherry Creek N. Drive • Denver Center for International Studies Baker, 574 Sixth Ave. • North High School, 2960 North Speer Blvd.

• Manual High School, 1700 E. 28th Ave. • The Montbello campus, 5000 Crown Blvd.

• The Evie Dennis campus, 4800 Telluride St. March 13 served as a transition day for the extended spring break. DPS buildings were open with limited staff on March 16 and 17 so families could pick up their child’s belongings needed for the extended spring break. All school buildings closed on March 18 for disinfecting.

To prepare for the transition to remote learning, DPS distributed thousands of laptop devices to students March 25-27.

The school district will post updates on its response to COVID-19 on its website: www.dpsk12.org.

An ‘unexpected new normal’ Parents working at home juggle family duties during extended spring break

By Christy Steadman csteadman@coloradocommunitymedia.com

W

ith children on an extended spring break and people working from home, parents everywhere are modifying daily routines and schedules to accommodate both child care and career success simultaneously.

“It’s a lot for everybody,” said Batya Stepelman, a parent of two children who attend Teller Elementary School in Denver’s Congress Park neighborhood. “But there is comfort in knowing that everybody is going through this.”

About three years ago, Stepelman launched a home business called Walltawk, which is a wallpaper boutique for which the showroom is in the family home. On March 13, Stepelman stopped hosting her in-person appointments and switched to her online business model that was in place for her out-of-state customers.

“For the most part, they (the children) have been pretty good, and understanding. There were definitely a few meltdowns with not getting to see people and having their playdates canceled.”

— Batya Stepelman

Normally, Stepelman was able to do most of the work her business required while her children were at school, and had some family time in the late afternoons and evenings. But now, preparing for an expected slowdown or cessation of the supply chain for her business, Stepelman is working 10- to 12-hour days.

And with the children on an extended spring break, Stepelman’s husband, Matt Ber-

man, has taken on the role of scheduling and overseeing the children’s daily activities.

“For the most part, they (the children) have been pretty good, and understanding,” Stepelman said, but added “there were definitely a few meltdowns with not getting to see people and having their playdates canceled.”

In addition to Berman taking the children out for bike rides and other types of outdoor

exercise, the family has developed a routine to keep Otis, 10, and Theo, 8, occupied. It includes reading time, a movie night and networking with other parents from the children’s classrooms to implement creative playdates such as virtual chess or Monopoly games and online Pokémon.

“We’re also traveling the world from our house,” Stepelman said.

As the room parent for Theo’s second grade class, Stepelman created Passport Thru Denver. Using Instagram, it is a way for students to learn about other countries by experiencing different cultures locally, such as ordering take-out from ethnic restaurants.

“I’m going to continue with this project and I’m sending it out to all the families,” Stepelman said. “It will be fun to see what people come up with in terms of projects, music, artwork, etc.”

The family is also connecting with out-ofstate family members. The children receive math lessons from their grandmother, who sends printable worksheets to complete, and virtual piano lessons from their grandfather.

“Social distancing doesn’t have to mean social isolation,” said Sara Reed, a parent of four children. “Teens and tweens need their SEE SCHOOL, P19

Washington Park Profile 7

April 2020

Kids invent solutions to practical problems Graland middle schoolers compete in innovation expo

By Christy Steadman csteadman@coloradocommunitymedia.com

M

artin Twarogowski believes he has the best job in the world.

“That’s how much fun it is,” he said.

Twarogowski is the Charles C. Gates Director of Innovative Learning at Graland Country Day School. Each year, for nearly the entire academic year, Twarogowski works with middle schoolers on their Gates Invention Expo projects.

He gets to “witness the evolution of their projects, along with the evolution of their learning,” Twarogowski said. “I’ve seen the value of what the (Gates) program means to the students.”

Graland, 55 Clermont St., is a private school located in Denver’s Hilltop neighborhood. It serves preschoolers through eighth grade and draws students from across the metro area.

The Charles C. Gates Invention and Innovation Program is an elective at Graland, offered to fifth- through eighth graders. The program got its start by an endowment from Charles C. Gates and was established in 1999.

This school year marks the 20th anniversary of the program’s Gates Invention Expo.

Working with a team of coaches comprised of Graland faculty, the program tasks students to solve a problem with a unique idea. The students then develop a prototype, which is then presented at the annual Gates Invention Expo, which took place this year on March 5, at Graland.

“Technology changes (and) people’s needs change,” Twarogowski said. “Our hope is that these kids find solutions for those needs.”

The Gates Program teaches students to solve problems for others, Twarogowski said,

and to do that, they use a number of different skill sets. However, the main skills learned through the program, Twarogowski said, are empathy, critical thinking, creative thinking, collaboration, grit and perseverance, and experimentation.

This year, about 140 students participated in the Gates Invention Expo — some worked individually on a project, and others worked as part of a team of two or three.

On March 5, six competition judges — community members and industry professionals unknown to the students — judged the projects on functionality, creativity, marketability and clarity of communication. The judges selected 10-15 projects as finalists, and those students provided a second presentation to the judges in the morning on March 6.

That afternoon, the judges made their selection for first, second and third-place winners for both a fifth-and-sixth-grade category and a seventh-and-eighth-grade category.

The judges also determine if any of the projects are patent-worthy, Twarogowski

said. In the past 20 years, 24 students participating in the Gates Program at Graland have received U.S. patents for their inventions.

On March 6, the event included a presentation of a patent certificate to two former Graland students, James Cobb and Alex Kechriotis, who in 2016 developed a magnetic zipper, which was inspired by Parkinson’s patients.

John Jordan’s son Jack is a fifth-grader at Graland, and participated for the first time in the Gates Program. Jack Jordan created a cleaning robot to be more efficient and effective than what is currently available in the market.

“He really enjoyed it,” John Jordan said of his son’s experience in the Gates Program, “and he learned a lot.”

For example, John Jordan said, Jack learned how to think about a problem, tackle it and how to overcome roadblocks and challenges.

All of those are life skills, John Jordan said, and “all will come up a lot in life.”

8 Washington Park Profile

April 2020

‘IN IT TOGETHER’

Local musician postpones shows, gives back amid coronavirus outbreak

By Rachel Lorenz Special to Colorado Community Media

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Sarah Cotner, also known as Sarah Christine, is a Denver singersongwriter who hopes to inspire people through her music. Her national #TheLetGoTour has been delayed as part of the efforts to prevent the spread of the coronavirus. But the artist is using her platform to promote the sale of her In It Together T-shirts, for which sales will benefit Meals On Wheels.

COURTESY PHOTO

ocal singer-songwriter Sarah Cotner, who goes by Sarah Christine, had a lot to let go of as the coronavirus pandemic began wreaking havoc on plans for her national tour.

“I’ve booked over 50 shows for 2020 and so far, 37 of them are postponed,” Sarah Christine said. “The good news is they’re not canceled.”

The Washington Park resident, who usually performs for crowds of 50-200 people, kicked off her #TheLetGoTour in Boulder on March 5.

On March 15, however, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommended organizers cancel or postpone in-person events that consist of 50 people or more. Now everything through June will need to be rescheduled.

“It sucks. Don’t get me wrong,” Sarah Christine said with a chuckle.

“I was so looking forward to my show in a week.”

Her nearly sold-out show at Swallow Hill’s Tuft Theatre in Denver was originally scheduled for March 27.

Amid the news of suspended shows, the musician turned her attention to how she could use her

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Sarah Christine’s music can be found on various streaming platforms. For tour information and more, go online to sarahchristinempls.com. platform for good. A visit to an empty grocery store, combined with thoughts of her mother, whose cancer makes her particularly vulnerable to COVID-19, inspired Sarah Christine’s partnership with Meals On Wheels. Using proceeds from the sale of her “In It Together” themed T-shirts, Meals on Wheels will purchase and deliver additional nonperishable items to local senior citizens and homebound adults.

Sarah Christine, who describes her music as indie pop with a little edge, balances her musical career and her day job as a regional vice president at Robert Half, a staffing firm, by putting in long hours to make time for both.

She moved to Denver from Minnesota with the company about two years ago and has become a fan of doing what she calls “weekend work” at Wash Perk over coffee, conducting meetings at Wash Park Grille and walking her rescue dog, Mason, around the neighborhood. But her favorite establishment is Ogden Street South, where she likes to go for karaoke after performing locally.

“It’s like our ‘Cheers’ spot,” the 35-year-old said.

Although a relatively new transplant to the centennial state, Colorado was the location of a defining moment in Sarah Christine’s

Nourish Meals on Wheels is collecting nonperishable grocery items and financial donations. For more information, go online to nourishmealsonwheels.org. musical career about 10 years before her move here. While on a trip to Breckenridge, she and her friends stopped in at a wine bar after a day of hiking. Her best friend convinced the manager to let Sarah Christine perform.

“I had huge stage fright,” Sarah Christine said, adding that until that moment, she had only played guitar and sung for herself.

She sang “Minnesota Eyes,” the first song she had ever written, while strumming a borrowed guitar.

The whole place went quiet, she said.

“So that was my first gig,” Sarah Christine said. “Kind of just caught the fire from that, and never really looked back.”

Sarah Christine’s latest single is “Aspen,” and the video for it came out in February. She has a series of seven singles coming out this year, including a remake of “Minnesota Eyes.”

And, of course, she looks forward to reinstating her tour.

Through the #TheLetGoTour, Sarah Christine hopes to inspire people to release their fears so they can live with purpose. It’s a message that resonates in this uncertain and unprecedented time, she said.

“There’s no better time to heighten that core value,” Sarah Christine said.

Enrollment open for 2020/21 Private Kindergarten and 2020 School-Age Summer Camp Celebrating 56 Years

Washington Park Profile 9

April 2020

A couple of people on the CROWN Coalition join, from left, Sen. Rhonda Fields, D-Aurora, who is standing next to Colorado Gov. Jared Polis; Rep. Leslie Herod, D-Denver; and Rep. Janet Buckner, D-Aurora, on the far right, for a bill signing celebration on March 6 at the Cleo Parker Robinson Dance theater in Denver.

CHRISTY STEADMAN

Law protects natural hair Polis signs CROWN Act into law

T

Photos and text

by Christy Steadman he Cleo Parker Robinson Dance theater in Denver hosted a gathering of people on March 6 to witness Gov. Jared Polis signing a new bill into law that will further prohibit discrimination.

“The CROWN Act will right a decadeslong wrong: forcing people across the ethnic spectrum to make their hair look and feel a certain way to succeed … It’s time we state clearly, that in Colorado, people who choose to express their culture and heritage through their hairstyle will be embraced, not subjected to discrimination.”

-Beer, Agent uisiana 80210 22-2777 u5@statefarm.com m to 5:00pm -1 for Lunch ends by appt.

— Rep. Leslie Herod, D-Denver.

Putting you first made us #1.

5

THINGS TO KNOW ABOUT THE CROWN ACT:

“It’s long overdue that we ban discrimination based on cultural and ethnic hairstyles … Our voices have been heard and our stories have had such a positive and powerful effect.

Today we stand together to say that hair discrimination has no place in businesses, schools or our society at large.”

— Rep. Janet Buckner, D-Aurora

“Our potential is not based on our hairstyle and it’s not limited by our appearance. The CROWN Act gives us the power to claim our own beauty regardless of what society says is acceptable.”

— Sen. Rhonda Fields, D-Aurora

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The CROWN Act is the common term that refers to House Bill 20-1048. CROWN stands for Create a Respectful and Open World for Natural Hair. It prohibits discrimination based on a person’s natural hair associated with race.

What the CROWN Act does is protect people from discrimination in education, employment, housing, public accommodations and advertising because of their “hair texture, hair type or a protective hairstyle commonly or historically associated with race, such as braids, locs, twists, tight coils or curls, cornrows, Bantu knots, Afros and headwraps,” states the bill’s language.

The bill’s prime sponsors were Rep. Leslie Herod, D-Denver, whose district includes Capitol Hill; Rep. Janet Buckner, D-Aurora; and Sen. Rhonda Fields, D-Aurora.

Along with many Denver-area residents and community members, CROWN Act supporters included the CROWN Coalition, which was co-founded by Unilever’s Dove brand of beauty products in partnership with the National Urban League, Color Of Change and the Western Center on Law.

Colorado is the fifth state to pass a CROWN Act. It follows California, New York, New Jersey and Virginia.

In Colorado, it passed the House with a 42-21 vote on Feb. 12 and the Senate with a 23-11 vote on Feb. 28. Polis signed it into law on March 6.

A news release states that the CROWN Coalition found that “a black woman is 80% more likely to change her natural hair to meet social norms or expectations at work, and 50% more likely to be sent home or know of a black woman (who was) sent home from the workplace because of her hair.”

10 Washington Park Profile

LOCAL

April 2020

VOICES

Virtual sister time

M

FROM THE EDITOR

Christy Steadman

onths ago, I had envisioned writing this column about Parkinson’s Awareness Month, which is in April.

My dad has Parkinson’s disease, so it is a topic that I am very much invested in. Not just in April, but every day of the year.

Then the COVID-19 pandemic began to dominate headlines worldwide.

And because people are needing to consume and absorb necessary information and news about this new COVID-19 virus, I decided to pen a column that is bit more lighthearted. And will hopefully bring some smiles to your faces — National Siblings Day. National Siblings Day is an unofficial holiday observed each year on April 10 as a time to honor and

value the bonds we have with our siblings.

My sister Julie and I are as close as two siblings can be. We look a lot alike, so much so that when we were young children, people would mistake us for twins — even when we were dressed in our Dr. Seuss t-shirts that explicitly labeled us as Thing One and Thing Two. But we have one year and three months age difference between us. I am Thing One, the older sister.

Julie and I weren’t necessarily troublesome children.

But usually when we got in trouble, we both got punished. That’s because 99% of the time, it was something we got into together. Like the time when we were about 7 or 8 years old and we used some sort of red colorSEE STEADMAN, P11

My sister Julie, left, and me roasting marshmallows on a camping trip at Rocky Mountain National Forest circa mid-1980s.

COURTESY PHOTO

Perfect 10 office moving forward with plans, projects

S

LETTER TO THE EDITOR We are writing concerning the front-page picture on your March publication, of a woman and her unleashed dog in Washington Park. We believe you weren’t meaning to support dangerous behavior, but that is how it seemed to many who have to deal with unleashed dogs regularly.

Many citizens and dogs have been attacked; dogs have died. Still, many people continue endangering lives by walking their dogs unleashed.

We have personally dealt with the system four times, with two of those times ending in criminal court with fines. Our dog was attacked five times and bitten twice, always on leash. Both bite attacks required veteri-

A publication of

Mailing Address: 750 W. Hampden Ave., Suite 225 Englewood, CO 80110 Phone: 303-566-4100 To subscribe call 303-566-4100 or visit www.washparkprofile.com/subscribe

nary visits. Twice, off-leash dogs surrounded one of us. Once, an off-leash pit bull mix attempted to attack me in our yard, but was stopped with threatening screams and a swinging shovel. Animal control, Denver Police, the city attorney and courts have been excellent. We have not gotten the results we had hoped for from our councilmember.

Walking on sidewalks, and even in the street, is not safe as some people find it acceptable to have their dogs off leash in their unfenced front yards. The bites our dog suffered were from dogs running out of unfenced front yards. Denver city ordinance SEE LETTER, P11

even months into my first term as the District 10 representative on Denver City Council, the world is facing a pandemic. COVID-19, also known as coronavirus, has GUEST reached Denver. First COLUMN found in China, it has now crossed the world and is having an impact on global, national, statewide and local businesses, and people. In some ways, COVID-19 is like the flu: it’s a virus, and things we can do to avoid conCouncilmember tracting COVID-19 Chris Hinds are similar to what we can do to avoid getting the flu. Unlike the flu, which has been around for a long time, COVID-19 is new and unknown.

The virus itself isn’t the only unknown.

Businesses, schools, municipal and state governments are all grappling with how to appropriately balance protecting public health and progressing the important work we all do every day. I prefer to err on the side of caution. I believe we can protect the public and continue serving our constituencies with minor disruptions. Technology provides us relief, in the forms of telecommuting and video conference calls, when considering how to hold public meetings and interact with constituents and colleagues. District 10 is a thriving community with many projects and plans moving through different parts of the process.

District 10 is involved in many impor-

tant planning projects that are still moving forward. As the public comment period continues for the East Central Area Plan, the South Central Community Transportation Network stakeholder process is just ramping up. Both of these planning initiatives focus heavily on improving our transit infrastructure — my top priority in my first term.

The East Central Area Plan is a vision for the long-term future of the six neighborhoods involved in the plan: North Capitol Hill, Capitol Hill, Cheesman Park, Congress Park, City Park West and City Park. Over the next 20 years, the plan will serve as a guide as decisions are made that affect land use, transit infrastructure and residents’ quality of life. In non-planner speak, that means: which streets will receive bike lanes and bus lanes? Where will future parks be located? And, what amount of housing density is acceptable in your neighborhood? The comment period for the East Central Area Plan is open through April 12.

Be sure to provide feedback, if you haven’t already, via denvergov.org/eastcentralplan.

The South Central Community Transportation Network plan will help improve how people get around town without increasing congestion on our streets. Denver’s Department of Transportation and Infrastructure (DOTI) wants to understand how people in our communities currently travel and how to effectively build healthier walking, biking and transit connections that get us to the places we want to go. The effort is part of DOTI’s commitment to install 125 miles of infrastructure in the city by the end of 2023. The first planned SEE HINDS, P11

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Washington Park Profile 11

April 2020

The woody plants of Plant Select

W

oody plants are the framework for the garden. They provide structure, drama and help direct the traffic in a garden. Trees provide shade and habitat for birds, bugs and tree swings.

GUEST Shrubs also provide COLUMN habitat but are often used as screens or Mike Bone borders. There are so many important uses for woody plants in the landscape that it is often hard to choose. How does one know where to start? Let Plant Select help guide you.

Plant Select is a program that partners with Colorado State University, Denver Botanic Gardens and local growers to bring to the local marketplace plants that are tried, tested and great for the semi-arid steppes of Colorado’s front range and beyond.

Plant Select has been introducing and recommending plants since the program first launched. Many of those early plants are still staples of the landscape and are great plants to use. They continue to work with growers, breeders, collectors and other professionals to showcase and make more woody plants available. However, it does take a lot to make the program. Not just any plant will earn the Plant Select moniker. CSU has run and managed a multi-site woody plant trial at sites all around Colorado. These trials ensure that the plants are hardy, resilient and beautiful in a wide range of Colorado’s challenging conditions.

Currently, Plant Select has 50 woody plants as a part of the program. One great way to get to know more about them is at plantselect.org.

Hinds FROM PAGE 10

community meeting was postponed due to COVID-19 concerns, but will be rescheduled in the near future. For questions about the network or the plan, please email denvermoves@denvergov.org.

If you were hoping to read some feel-good news from the Perfect 10 office, I don’t want to disappoint. With the help of community members, my office is working to gather community input about creating an off-leash dog park at the underutilized and inactive

A few classics are the Alleghany Viburnum, silverleaf butterfly bush and Cheyenne mock orange. These classic shrubs are adaptable and provide long seasons of bloom and fragrant flowers. Being six to 10 feet tall, these shrubs fill the more classic size plants for yards.

Plant Select also has some great trees for the urban landscapes. One of the best is the Hot Wings Maple, Acer tataricum ‘GarAnn’. This is a great tree for smaller landscapes and really tolerates the high pH of our Colorado soils.

This plant has interesting clusters of white flowers in the spring, but the real show isn’t until late summer into fall. All of those white clusters of flowers grow bright red samaras and cover the tree. It really is a spectacle.

One cannot leave out the broad-leaved evergreens when discussing woody plant material.

In Colorado, Arctostaphylos are a favorite. The three hybrids that are in the program cover a wide range of habit from groundcover to shrub. These wonderful plants bloom in very early spring and stay green all year round.

They are also very important for small native bees just emerging from the winter slumber.

The woody plants we choose for our landscapes provide so much to our micro habitats. They are the framework for our gardens and the glue that holds the garden together through Colorado’s changing seasons.

Since its inception, the folks at Plant Select have worked diligently to make sure that the choices for hardy, resilient and adapted woody plants find their way to our gardens.

Mike Bone is the curator of steppe collections at the Denver Botanic Gardens

Quality Hill Park, located at the corner of Pennsylvania Street and East 10th Avenue in Capitol Hill. Interested in providing feedback? Please email liz.zukowski@denvergov. org with your thoughts!

Chris Hinds was elected to serve as the Denver City Council representative for District 10 for the 2019-2023 term. District 10 neighborhoods include Capitol Hill, Uptown, Golden Triangle, Alamo Placita, Cheesman Park, Congress Park, Country Club, Cherry Creek and Belcaro. For more information from the District 10 office, sign up for the official newsletter, Hinds’ Sights, at bit.ly/denverperfect10.

Steadman FROM PAGE 10

ing — I can’t remember the substance — to draw stick figures all over the bathroom wall. I don’t know if that bright idea came from me, or if it was my sister’s, but I remember getting sent to our room for a few hours to sit and think about what we had done.

But probably to my parents’ dismay, the only way to really punish us for something

Letter FROM PAGE 10

states that dogs may not be off leash except in a fenced yard.

Sadly, it is not safe to walk dogs in Washington and Harvard Gulch parks, so we don’t. For several years, many frustrated

- ATTENTION ACTIVE DENVER ADULTS!

Help is coming your way if you are experiencing back pain. Since being stuck inside, many people have been experiencing more pain recently and not having the ability to move or be as active as they usually would with gyms and Rec Centers closing for the time being.

Therefore, Doctor of Physical Therapy, Brooke Olsen is planning free, onehour virtual, online educational events called “How to End Your Lingering Back Pain to Live Your Most Active & Confident Life” right in the comfort of your home to help get you ready for the other side of all this when we are all back to normalcy again.

It is aimed at people who:

• Experience pain, numbness or tingling in their buttock or leg.

18 newspapers.

20 websites.

Connecting YOU to your LOCAL community.

303-566-4100

ColoradoCommunityMedia.com

people have posted on Nextdoor about horrible events, including violent reactions of people with off-leash dogs when confronted. These incidents have kept many from walking dogs in the two parks, which is very sad.

We ask that your good newspaper become involved.

Claudia Kuhns Walter E. Barrett

Find Out More Reasons Why Back Pain Lasts Longer Than It Should…

• Suffer with back or leg pain when they stand or walk.

Local Focus.

More News.

was to separate us. Otherwise, we’d just go into our shared room and play with our toys, albeit very quietly so not to get in even more trouble.

As adults, we still spend a lot of time together. However, our activities together now largely revolve around the newest set of siblings in the family: Julie’s two daughters, Morgan, 16, and Cassie, 13.

This year, we may not be able to go out and do something like we normally would to celebrate National Siblings Day. But at least technology will allow us to have some virtual sister time this April 10.

• Have pain when they sit for long periods of time.

• Experience their low back “giving out” or “acting up” frequently.

• Are afraid their pain will get worse if they don’t do anything about it…

Brooke said, “Back pain is one of the biggest issues that can completely ruin people’s life. It can have people needing to lean on the benches when they are walking through the park. It

can stop you from feeling comfortable when getting on & off the floor to play with your kids or force you to question if you can get out bed without aches or pains. It can simply drain your freedom and independence if not addressed.”

But help doesn’t have to involve pills or surgery. The virtual workshop will highlight the mistakes which keep people from healing, the 3 most common causes of back pain, the best treatments and how to pick the right one. To secure 1 of only 8 seats available contact Annie at (720)-7721133.

If you are an active adult with back aches or pain that just won’t go away, this virtual workshop is for you! Brooke will personally teach you how to help ease your pain naturally WITHOUT resorting to medications, surgeries or injections. This is a FREE online, virtual educational event.

There is no cost to attend - To keep it valuable, interactive, and fun, we’ve capped it to only 8 spots available.

Contact Annie at (720)-772-1133 or email her personally at Annie@ ThePhysioRevolution.Com to know when the next one will be held this April.  Struggling with Knee Pain? Get information about our next Free Knee Pain Workshops here:

www.ThePhysioRevolution.Com/Workshops/

12 Washington Park Profile

I

April 2020

Denver’s theater scene speaks amid COVID-19 closures

’ve written this column for more than two years, and I would be surprised if I went more than two entries during this tenure without mentioning some kind of theatrical production. There’s a good reason for that - the metro area’s theatrical scene is full of small, independent companies and stages that tell vital, transporting and completely human stories.

Like so many other industries, the COMING world has ATTRACTIONS theater been rocked by the spread of COVID-19, especially with the temporary shuttering of most stages and arts centers until the situation is safer for the health of everyone.

In the spirit of amplifying the voices Clarke Reader of people working in the creative fields whose jobs are gone for the foreseeable future, I’m turning the rest of my column over to local theater workers, so they can share how they’re feeling and how residents can help (messages have been edited for clarity and brevity): “My biggest concern is that some of the smaller theaters in town operate on really

tight budgets. They need help from anyone who has the means to donate directly to the theater companies that operates on shoestring budgets.

I’m hoping that some of the ideas for online performances can be pulled together. If people would donate to support any of that content, that would help, too. I’d love to see that come together, as it would be good for both the performing artists and the audiences.”

-Erin Bell, cast member of “Ada and the Engine” at Denver’s Firehouse Theater Company “Now, more than ever, we need to commune. Anxiety and uncertainty meets hope and optimism. I work and create in a community where the primary currency is connection. And that currency is being severely challenged.

The Vintage Theatre’s production of `The Scottsboro Boys,’ was to have its triumphant closing last weekend. For the cast, creative and production teams to have been stripped of the final punctuation mark on what has been a wholly amazing journey, it is a loss that I’m still trying to comprehend. And this is just the beginning.

It will hurt but we - as a community - will persevere.”

-Abner Genece, assistant-director of “The Scottsboro Boys” SEE THEATER, P13

Dianne Sawaya opened Law Offices of Dianne Sawaya, LLC, on April 1, 2005. She is celebrating the firm’s 15th anniversary with a charitable event to benefit local nonprofits.

COURTESY OF SNOWY PEAK

Law Offices of Dianne Sawaya celebrate anniversary with 15 Days of Giving

By Christy Steadman csteadman@coloradocommunitymedia.com

As a child growing up in Denver, Dianne Sawaya watched her father advocate for his customers at his truck repair shop.

“She saw her father go far beyond repairs, fighting with insurance companies to have necessary repairs approved so his trucking customers could return to work,” states a press release.

Later in life, Sawaya’s undergraduate studies in pre-medicine further helped her fully understand the many issues personal injury clients cope with.

Then, on April 1, 2005, Sawaya opened the doors of her law firm in Denver. Beginning operations out of her home, she started out with one paralegal on staff.

Now celebrating the 15th anniversary of the firm, Sawaya has a staff of 25 employees and has helped thousands of clients.

She is honored to continue her commitment to the community by practicing in her hometown.

And “instead of throwing a party” to celebrate the firm’s anniversary, Sawaya said, “I want to invite my would-be party guests to join us and help support others.”

Why did you decide to celebrate the firm’s anniversary by giving back to the community?

I became an attorney to help people. For over 30 years, that is what I have been doing.

People need my services when they have been injured in an accident. I put my heart into their claims, and help them get the treatment they need to heal from their injuries and obtain a financial recovery to get back on their feet.

This year, I want to celebrate my firm’s 15th anniversary by reaching out and helping more than just my clients and the organizations that my firm has traditionally supported and sponsored over the past 15 years.

I want to help individuals in various situations — from foster children, domestic violence victims, the elderly, homeless victims and many more. I want to help provide basic life necessities.

Why did you choose a variety of community nonprofits?

I specifically chose a variety of community

HOW TO DONATE Examples of some of the gifts are 15 boxes of food for the Food Bank of the Rockies, 15 gas cards valued at $15 for veteran members of the Motorcycle Relief Project and 15 sleeping bags to the Denver Rescue Mission for people experiencing homelessness.

For a complete list of all gifts for 15 Days of Giving, visit www.dlslawfirm.com. Anybody is welcome to participate in 15 Days of Giving. To make a donation, call 303758-4777 or send an email to ddunhill@ dlslawfirm.com.

With the exception of donations that can be mailed, COVID-19 may delay the delivery of some of the gifts. However, an email from the firm stated that “we will get everything promised to the charities as soon as possible.” nonprofits to reach individuals who are not always remembered. I want to reach those in need in our local community, those who I grew up with as a native of Colorado. I want to help all types of victims — those who are scared to come forward, those embarrassed by what has happened to them and nonprofit groups that do not have the funds to advertise for support.

Foster children who cannot advocate for themselves or their needs, domestic violence victims who fear for their lives, elderly who may medically be unable to ask for what they need. This list goes on. There were so many groups to choose from. It was a difficult decision to narrow it down to 15.

Why is giving back to the community important to you?

Giving back to the community is important to me because the community is who has supported me throughout my career. From the chamber members who have helped me build a successful business, to my clients who have trusted me to help them through a difficult time in their lives, to the medical professionals who educated me about the treatments they provide my clients to heal their injuries.

I have been very fortunate in my life and I want to share that with others who have not had the same opportunities and have faced struggles that I can’t even imagine trying to overcome.

Washington Park Profile 13

April 2020

Local wedding dress designer scales up business Maggie Burns designs bridal gowns in the French couture style

By Shanna Fortier Special to Colorado Community Media

M

aggie Burns has been sewing all her life. But now, she has turned her passion into a career.

Burns is the owner and head designer at Marie-Margot Couture, creating bridal gowns in Denver.

After graduating college, Burns made bridal gowns for friends and family on the nights and weekends. That continued for 25 years while she worked for a money management firm.

In 2010, Burns turned her gowns into a formal, full-time business.

“When I was making these gowns on the weekends and in the evenings, it just became apparent that that’s what I really loved to do,” Burns said, while sitting in her Platt Park studio. “There came a time when it just seemed appropriate to make the transition, so that’s what I did.”

Burns describes the Marie-Margot line as simple and elegant. Most gowns boast a silk base, are adorned with lace and created with French couture sewing techniques.

“I don’t seem to try to hit all the trends because I like the classics,”

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SEE GOWNS, P17

FROM PAGE 12

“Since we sent our letter to patrons canceling the show (the production of `Moon Over Buffalo’), we have received nothing but supportive emails from patrons. At the writing of this message, more than 75 emails. And no one has asked for a refund. What a wonderful supportive community.”

-Len Matheo, executive/artistic director at Golden’s Miners Alley Playhouse “Here I was doing what I loved in this most beautiful place, surrounded by the nicest, most talented artists from my acting partner to the prop designer. There was a feeling we were living on borrowed time. And sure enough, the day of our opening, we were told that the situation had worsened and that we were going to have to shut down. Transmission has to be stopped.

There are many out there whose souls are crushed because their shows have shut down.

And then there are those whose very livelihood has been threatened. It’s horrible and necessary, and we just have to hope it will be short lived.”

-Emma Messenger, cast member of “The Roommate” at the Lake Dillon Theatre Company” “What an incredible outpouring of love I’ve

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14 Washington Park Profile

April 2020

Mo’Print shares the love

T

he Month of Printmaking, also known as Mo’Print, kicked off its fourth biennial celebration this year.

Mo’Print celebrates of the art of making original, fine-art prints. Throughout Colorado, participating artists, galleries and other partners host exhibits, workshops, demonstrations and events to inspire, educate and promote awareness of printmaking.

Though some exhibits throughout the Denver-metro area went up in January and February, Mo’ Print’s main events take place in March, which is the official month of celebration. Learn more about the Month of Printmaking online: www.moprint.org.

Because of social distancing measures taken to prevent the spread of COVID-19, many of the Mo’ Print events in March were canceled.

However, some of the events scheduled for the earlier part of the month took place as usual.

Here is a collection of photos from a printmaking demonstration on March 8 that was part of the Kirkland Museum of Fine & Decorative Art’s Process and Print exhibition.

PHOTOS BY RYAN BORTHICK

Emily Moyer prepares to roll ink onto her print plate during a printmaking demonstration part of the Month of Printmaking.

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Brady Smith scoops out some oil to lubricate his print press during a printmaking demonstration at the Kirkland Museum of Fine & Decorative Art on March 8.

Brady Smith explains the function of his print press to attendees at the Kirkland Museum of Fine & Decorative Art on March 8. Smith has been printmaking since 2009 and studied etching at Brigham Young University-Idaho.

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Washington Park Profile 15

April 2020

AND ALL THAT A JAZZ

Local musicians discuss importance of bringing jazz to rural U.S. areas

By Christy Steadman

csteadman@coloradocommunitymedia.com

Jazz pianist and educator Peter Stoltzman of Denver loves jazz for its history and because it’s a “fascinating and deeply meaningful type of music,” he said.

COURTESY OF JERRY SIMPSON

conversation about jazz music with Peter Stoltzman would include him describing it as a “fascinating and deeply meaningful type of music.”

“Jazz, unlike any other music, has improvisation at its core,” said Stoltzman of north Denver, a jazz pianist and educator. “It’s spontaneous and conversational, yet built on more than 100 years of history.”

But for the past 70 years or so, jazz has been becoming less and less popular in the U.S., said the 42-year-old who has been a professional musician since his late teens.

“It’s super important that jazz gets out to the entire U.S.,” Stoltzman said. “If jazz is going to thrive in the U.S., artists have to be able to bring their music to more than just the handful of small, urban clubs.”

To help bring jazz music to rural, isolated and underserved parts of the country, a Jazz Road Tour grant is being offered to emerging and midcareer jazz artists for tour expenses.

Because of current social distancing measures in place across the country to prevent the spread of COVID-19, grant applications are now being accepted on a rolling status. Additionally, the original stipulated timeframe for the tour to take place has been waived.

“We want the program to be as flexible as possible to accommodate how artists work and build their tours,” said Ivan Schustak, director of communications and development for South Arts, a regional nonprofit arts organization.

South Arts is leading the national Jazz Road Tour grants program, but working in partnership with the five other U.S. Regional Arts Organizations, including the Western States Arts Federation of which Colorado is a member.

Colorado is home to some talented jazz musicians and Denver boasts some great venues such as Dazzle, Nocturne, El Chapultepec and many others, said jazz saxophonist Harry Drabkin of south Denver.

Drabkin added there are also quite a few smaller, local places that regularly host live jazz musicians, such as La Cour, a French bistro and jazz club in Washington Park where Drabkin has

ongoing gigs twice a month.

“Denver is big enough to have that caliber of jazz musicians and venues,” Drabkin said. “In every city you’ll find some jazz, but it can be relatively non-existent if you live in some rural areas in the U.S.” Drabkin, 71, started playing the trumpet as child, and was introduced to the saxophone through his childhood best friend’s brother. He studied music and performed live in college, but went on to pursue a career in research and medicine, specifically, oncology which lasted about 35 years. Though he retired about three years ago, Drabkin still participates in research at the University of Colorado-Boulder. About 14 years ago, Drabkin’s son Rob Drabkin, who pursued a career in music and is now a professional Denver-based acoustic rock musician, got him back into playing.

“Music appeals to people on an individual, emotional basis,” Drabkin said. He added that nowadays although people can experience jazz music by downloading or streaming, “it’s just not the same experience as live music, and seeing a musician play.”

Live jazz concerts give the audience an experience that happens once, and only once, said Hank Troy, 72, who has been playing piano since he was five and went professional after moving to Denver in 1971.

“People who go to see live jazz,” Troy said, “go because they enjoy the experience of watching music happen.”

Troy, of south Denver, currently performs solo, as well as with the Queen City Jazz Band. As a solo artist, he has accompanied singers and theater groups, and has played for silent movies.

The Queen City Jazz Band is an eightpiece band — seven instrumentalists and a singer — that performs at jazz festivals across the U.S. “Going on tour is very broadening for touring musicians,” Troy said.

“Every experience builds on the one before.”

Touring jazz musicians have the opportunity to introduce an audience to a music they love, as well as inspire and influence people in a positive way, Troy said.

“One of the things that makes jazz work is having an audience,” Troy said.

“What we say in jazz is, we tell our stories live.”

JAZZ ROAD TOUR GRANTS

The Queen City Jazz Band performed at Town Hall in Littleton in the 13th Annual Jazz Festival, a Western Welcome Week event. COURTESY PHOTO

Emerging and mid-career jazz artists can apply for a Jazz Road Tour grant for up to $15,000 to support a tour that brings jazz music to rural, isolated and underserved parts of the country.

Artists living anywhere in the U.S. may apply. Recipients will be able to use the funds to pay for necessary aspects of touring, including travel, lodging, meals and artist fees.

Due to COVID-19, the static deadline of April 21 has been changed to instead accept rolling applications. Additionally, the stipulation that tours must occur between Aug. 15, 2020, and Aug. 14, 2021, has been removed.

Led by South Arts, a regional nonprofit arts organization, the program is offered nationally in partnership with the five other U.S. Regional Arts Organizations — Western Arts Alliance/WESTAF, Arts Midwest, Mid-America Arts Alliance, Mid Atlantic Arts Foundation and New England Foundation for the Arts.

Full guidelines on submitting an application and additional program information, can be found on www. jazzroad.org and www.southarts.org.

16 Washington Park Profile

April 2020

Pipe organs speak with majesty Though religion and tastes are changing, old instruments still command awe

By David Gilbert dgilbert@coloradocommunitymedia.com

Outside Trinity United Methodist Church in downtown Denver, the din of the city roars.

But inside the old church, a stone anachronism in a canyon of steel and glass, there is silence.

Organist Norm Sutphin walks into the cavernous sanctuary, lit only by the glow of sunshine through stained glass. He sits at a bench at the center of the altar, towered over by organ pipes stretching three stories high.

He flips a switch, and a breath of air cuts the silence, just slightly.

Sutphin begins to play, and the sanctuary is suddenly alive with the majesty of Bach’s Prelude and Fugue in D Minor, the low notes rattling hymnals in the pews.

“This instrument can rouse emotions in the soul like few other things,” Sutphin said. “I appreciate its beauty, and I respect its power.”

The pipe organ is one of the largest in Denver, and perhaps the oldest. Built in 1888, it consists of 4,275 pipes in 82 sections. The

Michael Zehnder, who leads musical worship at Littleton’s Ascension Lutheran Church, stands inside the heart of the church’s 1950s-vintage neobaroque style pipe organ.

DAVID GILBERT smallest are just inches long. The tallest, low C, is 32 feet.

The Roosevelt organ, which Sutphin calls “one of the monuments of organ building in the West,” is one of many mighty pipe organs scattered around the Denver metro area.

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Bison in a pen during the annual bison auction at Genesee Bison Ranch.

PHOTOS BY PAUL ALBANI-BURGIO

Where the Buffalo go 35 calves sold at annual Genesee bison sale

By Paul Albani-Burgio palbaniburgio@coloradocommunitymedia.com

Thirty-five bison calves found new homes on March 17 during one of the most unusual fundraising events: the city and county of Denver’s bison sale.

Now in its 35th year, the annual bison sale is when the Denver sells off most of the offspring born in its two bison herds that live at Genesee Park and Daniels Park near Sedalia.

Matt Brown, the operations supervisor at the Genesee Bison Ranch, said the city maintains the herds as part of conservation and education efforts but cannot allow those herds to grow too large.

“We raise bison for people to look at but we can’t keep them all because we have to be good stewards,” Brown said. “We can’t let animals overgraise the property.”

Enter the annual sale, which Brown said is open to anyone who wants to buy a bison, and this year attracted buyers from as far away as Wyoming. Funds from the sale go toward maintaining the animals and covering the costs of veterinary care.

Brown said the sale is also a unique experience that allows people to see the bison up close. Of course, the bison can also be viewed throughout the year around Genesee Park, including from the buffalo overlook from I-70.

A man writes on a sheet listing the bison available for auction during the auction at Genesee Bison Ranch.

“We want to encourage Denver residents to come up and see what Denver owns outside of downtown,” Brown said. “We raise bison for educational purposes and for people to look at. We want to educate people on the animal itself — the bison and how long it’s been around.”

ABOUT THE PARK Genesee Park is home to one of Denver’s bison herds and was acquired by the city of Denver in 1912. The 2,413-acre park features stunning views of Colorado’s Front Range.

Denver Parks and Recreation maintains two conservation bison herds in the Denver Mountain Parks system — Genesee Park and Daniels Park.

The herds are descended from the last wild bison in North America and were originally established at Denver’s City Park by

the Denver Zoo and the city of Denver. The herd was moved to Genesee Park in 1914 and expanded to Daniels Park in 1938.

Bison herds that numbered more than 30 million when the first European explorers set foot on the American continent were nearly wiped out by the 1880s. At the turn of the 20th century, fewer than 1,000 bison remained in existence. Today it is estimated that there are approximately 500,000 bison in North America.

Washington Park Profile 17

April 2020

GOWNS FROM PAGE 13

Burns explained of her bridal gowns.

In March, Burns showcased her new line of designs with a trunk show at Blue Bridal Boutique, located in Denver’s Design District.

“It’s what I’ve been working for all these years,” Burns said of the trunk show. “It’s a way to scale up my business so it isn’t as labor-intensive to make just a one-off every time.”

Blue Bridal has been in the Denver bridal scene since 2009 and frequently features local designers for veils, jewelry and gowns.

“We love supporting local,” said Julia Scott, store manager at Blue Bridal Boutique. “I think Maggie’s collection is very classic and unique. She does a lot of different draping techniques and neck lines that are really cool.”

The goal with any dress featured, Scott said, is construction, fit and something that makes a statement when it’s on the rack at the bridal shop.

During the trunk show, brides were able to try on Marie-Margot dresses and order them to be made in their size. Burns also offered brides the options of custom veils and changes such as adding buttons, sleeves or changing the neck line.

“It’s a very luxurious process,” Burns said of making custom bridal gowns. “I really try to be responsive to what brides are looking for and make their vision of their dress come true. It’s always a very personal process to work with a bride at that level of attention.”

Burns said that the challenge, along with the relationship made with the bride, are what draws her to making bridal gowns.

“Each one is a work of art,” she said. “And it’s for a very special time in life.”

Julie Scott sets up a Marie-Margot Couture bridal gown to display in preparation for the lines trunk show at Blue Bridal Boutique.

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18 Washington Park Profile

April 2020

Bill Elfenbein recently named Road Scholar ambassador Program educates seniors about world travel

Bill Elfenbein, a newly appointed Road Scholar ambassador, encourages adult groups to learn more about the organization and its programs. You can invite him to make a free presentation about Road Scholar by calling him at 303-246-8139 or emailing him at elfs411@gmail.com.

By Bruce Goldberg Special to Colorado Community Media

A

movie festival in Santa Barbara, California. A bike trip in Florida’s Everglades.

Bill Elfenbein would love to tell you about his travels with Road Scholar. And recruit people, age 50 and up, to join the organization and see the world.

Formerly called Elderhostel, the Road Scholar program is a not-for-profit organization that conducts educational learning adventures for people 50 and up.

“It’s for active people that want to be educated,” said Elfenbein, 83, a Denver

Here is a sampling of trips that Bill Elfenbein, a Road Scholar ambassador, has taken with the program.

resident who has traveled with the organization for years.

The program offers more than 5,500 programs in 48 states and 150 countries each year. Road Scholar lines up instructors and specialists for its destinations to teach travelers about life in those areas.

Road Scholar recently named him an ambassador: “someone like myself that has taken trips with them, likes to go out in the community and let (others) know it’s available,” he said.

You may recognize Elfenbein’s name

Bicycle trip on Missouri’s Katy Trail “We would stop in these little towns along the Missouri River, and they’d lecture us for 45 minutes while we stopped and had lunch,” Elfenbein said. “What happened in that area, why is there a little town there, what it’s like growing grapes for making wine in the middle of Missouri.”

from his work in mass transit.

He was on the Regional Transportation District board from 1991 to 2009, including two stints as board chair. Now back serving on the board, he also remains active with Transportation Solutions, a transportation management association.

In his work life, Elfenbein was part of United Distributing Co., a wholesale distributing business for convenience store products, until 1994.

As a Road Scholar ambassador, Elfenbein is available to give a 20-to-30-minute presentation about Road Scholar’s trips, in the hope of getting more people to travel with the organization once they’re ready to travel.

But as much as Elfenbein hopes he’ll inspire people to travel, he sounds a caution: “With the coronavirus now, no one should be traveling. When it’s over, then look at traveling.”

Bill Elfenbein.

Berlin and Potsdam in Germany At the Reichstag, Elfenbein chatted for about 45 minutes with an assistant to the head of Germany’s agriculture industry, he said.

“I learned a heck of a lot about what they do or want to do,” he said. “They (Road Scholar) get experts in particular subjects and that’s what they want to hone in on.”

Pasadena Rose Bowl Parade in California “The day before the parade, on Jan. 1, we ended up volunteering to put flowers on the floats — you learn how these things are done,” Elfenbein said.

COURTESY PHOTO

England His group talked about world problems as part of spending nine days living in a dormitory at England’s famed Oxford University. It was in the summer, so there were few students around, Elfenbein said.

“We studied in their study halls, heard lectures in their study halls, ate in their cafeterias,” he said. “It’s the consummate college town with wonderful old buildings throughout. This was a great trip.”

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Washington Park Profile 19

April 2020

PBS offers resources for remote learning Rocky Mountain Public Media partners with school district to offer complementary curriculum Staff report Rocky Mountain PBS is partnering with Denver Public Schools, and hopes to work with other districts statewide, to provide free resources for on-air programs, including lesson plans and teaching guides from accredited teachers.

SCHOOL FROM PAGE 6

social time, and we’re fortunate that many have personal phones and iPads so they can connect socially with their friends.”

However, it is also important to place limits on the time that teens and tweens are spending on their personal devices so that the extended spring break does not become a “24-hour screen time vacation,” Reed said.

The Reed children — Eli, 17, and Georgia, 16, who attend Littleton High School; and India, 13, and Henry, 11, who attend Slavens Middle School in Denver’s Wellshire neighborhood — are old enough to not need constant parental supervision, but still must find ways to keep themselves occupied.

Normally, the family has a busy daily schedule — all four children are involved with a couple of different sports each, are taking advanced placement and honors courses, and are involved with additional extracurricular activities such as student council and tutoring others.

“It has been an adjustment with them having to keep in touch with their friends virtually,” Reed said.

“But they’re spending more time together as siblings.”

The resources will be available online at rmpbs.org and on the free PBS Video app.

“With nearly 1 million K-12 students in the state of Colorado, our hope is to reach as many educators, students and caregivers as possible to support remote learning, keeping young minds active. We know many households don’t have access to broadband or cable, but RMPBS’s over-the-air broadcasts are free and available to everyone in the state,” Amanda Mountain, president and CEO of Rocky Mountain Public Media, said in a news release. “Partnering with Denver Public Schools is the beginning of similar collaborations with school districts throughout Colorado, and we hope this initiative can serve as a model for public media organizations and districts around the country.”

Together, the family has been baking, doing puzzles and walking the dogs, as well as doing chores around the house and yardwork.

“We are working toward a more organized schedule that will include some academic, athletic and family time each day, but we’re still evolving that schedule,” Reed said, adding some of the activities already planned include virtual museum tours, phone calls with grandparents, watching documentaries and a spring break book report.

Reed works part-time as audiologist, and as of March 19, is still commuting to her workplace. Her husband Emile is a CFO of a banking organization and is currently working from home.

“The challenges for him have been keeping the kids quiet when he’s on the many, many conference calls required to keep his staff, the regulators and auditors moving forward,” Reed said.

This “unexpected new normal” can cause fear and anxiety of the unknown, Reed said.

“It’s important to be both honest with your children about what’s going on, and a source of calm for them,” Reed said. “Taking time to enjoy this forced family time creates lifelong memories and in these overly busy times we live in, it can be a real gift to slow down and reconnect as a family.”

In addition, Rocky Mountain PBS also is now providing educational resources for children across the state. Students can access free educational resources on-air and online, regardless of their broadband access, through Rocky Mountain PBS stations and rmpbs.org.

RMPBS is offering STEAM-focused content on-air from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. for ages 6 and up. These programs include History Detectives, NOVA, Nature and other quality PBS programs and documentaries focused on science, technology, engineering, the arts and mathematics.

For children ages 2 and up, RMPBS is offering programs such as Wild Kratts, Peg + Cat and SciGirls between 6 a.m. and 8 a.m.

The entertaining and educational PBS KIDS programming will continue to be available

all day on the 24/7 PBS KIDS subchannel or the free PBS KIDS Video or Games apps. For information about how to access channels based on location, visit http://www.rmpbs. org/channels.

“We are incredibly grateful for this partnership. Rocky Mountain PBS quickly reached out to us after announcing school closures and offered to help increase students’ access to educational resources,” Winna MacLaren, media relations manager, Denver Public Schools, said in the release.

“They are helping many of our 93,000 students continue their education with remote learning.”

For an overview of current programming, resources and initiatives, please visit http:// www.rmpbs.org/covid19.

The Reed family normally has a busy daily routine, with all four children — who range in age from 11 to 17 — involved in sports and extracurricular activities. During the extended spring break, the children are using their personal electronic devices to keep in touch with their friends, but are also spending more time together as siblings.

COURTESY PHOTO

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20 Washington Park Profile

April 2020

Polis announces donation-based COVID-19 relief fund Efforts target workers who lost jobs, child care for hospital staff, first responders

By Ellis Arnold earnold@coloradocommunitymedia.com

A January photo of Colorado Gov. Jared Polis.

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Relief for laid-off workers. Keeping medical supplies at the ready. Support for homeless shelter staff.

These are among the targets of a new COVID-19 relief fund announced by Gov. Jared Polis on March 18, a donation-based system called Help Colorado Now. “We’re doing the right thing together, and we will be back together. Coloradans are good-hearted people,” and the state needs to harness that energy, Polis said at a news conference.

Mile High United Way, a metro Denver nonprofit, is the system’s “fiscal sponsor,” Polis said, and in just the last two days, the effort raised more than $2.8 million.

The fund aims to address a laundry list of affected areas of life amid the spread of COVID-19, including helping small businesses and affected workers, supporting technology that helps Coloradans connect to each other — for working from home but also for socializing — and for support for mental health and substance use disorders, Polis said.

The governor asked for donations as small as $1 or as large as hundreds — whatever people can afford — or for Coloradans to volunteer their time for causes such as health care assistance, food delivery or mental health support.

“By working together, we can build a cohesive network that makes sure no one falls through the cracks in this difficult time,” Polis said. The system’s website is www. helpcoloradonow.org.

People on the front lines of the coronavirus public health crisis face a compounded challenge with their kids home after widespread school district closures, and Polis called together a group of child care providers, advocacy groups and school districts to partner with the Colorado Department of Human Services to arrange emergency child care for those workers.

Those who qualify include doctors and nurses; hospital maintenance workers, including janitorial staff; police, firefighters and emergency medical technicians; correctional officers; and workers in long-term care and mental health facilities. The state hopes to continue this benefit based on its ability to fundraise and acquire federal funds, Polis said. The website for that program is covidchildcarecolorado.com.

Holding onto housing, jobs As thousands of workers across the state

“We’re doing the right thing together, and we will be back together.

Coloradans are good-hearted people.”

— Gov. Jared Polis

face the fallout from the state’s shutdown of dine-in service at restaurants and bars and closure of theaters, gyms and casinos — lasting until at least mid-April — Polis is looking at “every option” to ensure people don’t lose housing.

“We’re looking at ways to do that and (to ensure) eviction orders aren’t processed the way they normally are,” Polis said.

The governor said he “strongly supports” federal cash payments of $1,000 or more dollars per month to citizens, an idea that has been floated at the federal level.

Polis sent a request on March 17 to the U.S. Small Business Administration, a federal agency, asking that small businesses across Colorado can qualify for economic relief loans.

The assistance would also apply to the Southern Ute Tribal Nation and Ute Mountain Ute Tribal Nation if the federal agency approves Polis’ request, which is expected to sail through.

Colorado’s state government also offers a “work share,” a layoff-prevention program that allows employers to split the cost with unemployment insurance to retain employees.

The program can pay employees up to 26 weeks of work-share benefits as long as their hours are reduced by at least 10% but by no more than 40%, according to the state Department of Labor and Employment. See www.colorado.gov/pacific/cdle/layoffassistance for more information.

Employees who see a reduction in hours, or layoffs, are encouraged to apply for unemployment benefits, which can provide partial wage replacement, at www.colorado. gov/cdle/unemployment.

The state’s jobs database, ConnectingColorado.com, will continue to post listings for statewide jobs available.

Along with Colorado’s application for SBA loans, the Colorado Office of Economic Development and International Trade is working with its local, state and federal partners to identify other financial and technical assistance programs available. Contact the office at 303-892-3840 for more information.

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Washington Park Profile 21

April 2020

Apartment association offers resources to renters Guide aims to help in face of income shortfalls because of mandated coronavirus closures Staff report Following news of mandated closures throughout Colorado in the restaurant and hospitality industry, the Colorado Apartment Association has created a guide to help Colorado renters in the face of income shortfalls.

“The basic shutdown of much of our economy in Colorado creates hardships for many Coloradans. Fortunately, there are resources available to those who are at risk

of not being able to pay their rent,” Mark Williams, executive vice president, Colorado Apartment Association, said in a news release. “It’s important that renters pay as much of their rent as they can, because our industry is dependent on rent payments to pay employees’ salaries, vendors, and loan payments. While the city has placed a temporary hold on evictions, it is not their intent that residents avoid paying rent if they have the ability to do so. Rather, it is to prevent residents from losing housing during the pandemic and deploy city resources in a way they believe is better for Denver.”

The guide offers resources across Colorado as well as resources in counties and cities. Residents should contact these resources to determine whether they qualify for subsidies or help from the government or from various nonprofits such as Brothers

Redevelopment or TRUA. Many government programs and nonprofits grant funds to tenants on a first-come, first-served basis, so residents who believe they are at risk should start getting in line as soon as they realize they are at risk.

If a resident does not qualify for subsidies or help from any nonprofit or a government entity, then he or she should ask the rental housing provider to allow a payment plan to pay over a 30-day period or more. Payment plans should be in writing.

“Our industry wants to be a proactive partner in helping navigate our communities through these uncharted waters, but we cannot solely bear the burden,” Williams said in the release. “Our housing market is an ecosystem. When renters don’t pay rent, housing providers cannot fulfill their financial obligations. For some housing

providers, this translates to putting at risk properties for foreclosure and creates serious hardship for our employees and vendors.”

The worst thing a resident can do is not talk to the rental housing provider quickly and explain the situation.

“Rental housing providers are people, too. They often understand temporary setbacks and often are willing to work with residents to allow them time to get caught up. When communities struggle to keep residents housed, we all struggle,” Williams said in the release. “We all must do our part to keep Colorado running during this health crisis and that includes helping the vulnerable in our communities.”

To download the guide, go to https:// www.aamdhq.org/covid-19-coronavirusresource-page

Law enforcement organizations keep communities safe Departments implement measures to improve safety, communication; say public has important role in stopping spread Staff report Colorado law enforcement agencies have detailed in a news release the measures they are taking to protect the public, inmates and officers during the COVID-19 outbreak.

The County Sheriffs of Colorado, the Colorado Association of Chiefs of Police and the Colorado Fraternal Order of Police said in the news release that they are taking extra precautions when interacting with the public and taking care of the inmates in their charge.

Some examples of these precautions include closing public lobbies; increasing cleaning and sanitizing facilities and cars; disinfecting the passenger area of their patrol cars after each transport; and handling as many reports and interviews by phone as possible, the release said.

The organizations also are directing employees to stay home when sick, wash hands often, avoid touching their faces, minimize contact with others and maintain a six-foot distance when possible.

Food Banks FROM PAGE 5

can continue to do this,” said McPherson.

Wellspring Church in Englewood at 4300 S. Lincoln St. is still operating its food pantry, but Mike Sandgren, director of compassion ministry for the church, said it is

Some of the detention facilities have cancelled on-site visitation. However, many facilities are working with their vendors to facilitate communication between their families and loved ones by offering a limited number of free emails and calls, the release said.

“First and foremost, we are thankful for all first responders who continue to do their jobs during this difficult time. Colorado’s deputies, sheriffs and police officers continue working hard to keep their communities safe,” Amy Nichols, executive director of the County Sheriffs of Colorado, said in the release. “All law enforcement organizations are taking measures to protect the public, inmates and officers. But it’s imperative that all Coloradans do their part to stop the spread, which helps protect vulnerable members of our communities.”

In some instances, law enforcement cannot practice social distancing in the same way as the general public, and exposure to coronavirus is a possibility. It is important for first responders to have access to personal protective equipment, as well as priority access to testing and lab analysis, the release said.

If these tests were prioritized, it could shorten isolation periods for people with negative results and help alleviate the stress on limited public resources, the release said.

“As we look toward the future, supporting and protecting our officers now will help ensure we are well situated to serve our communities throughout this outbreak,” Steve

being precautious.

The church has moved its food pantry outside, and since Food Bank of the Rockies has been limited on food donations to Wellspring Church, it has created a “hiccup” for the pantry, Sandgren said.

“One of the commitments we have made is to try to open up more than we did previously, because we expect food insecurity to be on the rise,” said Sandgren.

Schulz, president of the Colorado Fraternal Order of Police, said in the release.

The law enforcement agencies also ask that the public to partner with them by following the guidance of local, state and federal officials, such as: * Putting distance between yourself and other people. * Avoiding close contact with people who are sick. * Frequently and thoroughly washing your hands with soap and water for at least 20

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Washington Park Profile 23

April 2020

Organs FROM PAGE 16

denominations and traditional church music decline, he is part of a diminishing family of organists who still command the power of the world’s largest musical instruments.

“I work very hard to make sure my performances are tight,” said Sutphin, who practices up to six days a week in preparation for Sunday. “It means a lot to people.”

Organs in history They still mean a lot to Rick Morel, a thirdgeneration pipe organ builder and repairman.

Morel is one of three remaining members of Morel and Associates, one of few remaining pipe organ repair shops in the Mountain West.

In an aging warehouse in north Denver, Morel cleans, tunes and repairs pipe organs, using decades-old tools, many of which are handmade.

Pipe organs are marvels of engineering, Morel said.

“The people who designed these were as smart as any computer engineer designing microchips today,” he said. “They can make so many sounds.

No other single instrument has so much range.”

Developed in the 17th century, pipe organs were originally hand-pumped, and larger ones required multiple people working bellows to keep them playing, Morel said. The Industrial Revolution introduced organs powered by electric air blowers.

Pipe organs were once a staple of American life, Morel said.

“In the silent film era, any theater worth its salt had a pipe organ. Beyond a soundtrack of mood music, they could make so many sound effects: boat horns, sirens, even waves and pounding surf.”

The early 20th century saw an explosion of similar instruments, including automatic organs that even included banjos, violins and other

instruments played mechanically.

Denver had some legendary organs. The old City Auditorium, which today is part of the Denver Center for Performing Arts, was home to a colossal, four-story organ. The City of Denver employed a “city organist” who gave recitals as often as seven days a week some summers.

The Phipps Mansion in Denver’s Belcaro neighborhood, built in the early years of the Great Depression, featured an automatic organ in the basement that could be controlled by switches throughout the house, and could play a variety of contemporary and classic tunes.

The advent of talking movies, the Great Depression and metal rationing during World War II spelled a downturn for pipe organs, but pent-up demand and a surge of suburban church building in the postwar years meant an explosion in the organ market. It would prove to be the last.

“Tastes in church music are changing, and

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they have been for a while,” Morel said. “We haven’t built an organ since the 1990s. A lot of the old churches are on hard times, and organs can be expensive to maintain.”

Morel said he’s got two or three restoration jobs left, and then it’s probably time to close up the multi-generational business.

“We can’t find anyone who wants to take it over,” Morel said. “This is a labor of love. You don’t do it to get rich. And if you’re not willing to run out in a blizzard to do an emergency repair on Christmas Eve, then you’re not living up to the standards we hold ourselves to.”

Old and new Some of the postwar suburban churches are still mighty proud of their pipe organs, and finding ways to incorporate them into modern worship.

At Ascension Lutheran Church in Littleton, the 1950s-vintage neo-Baroque pipe organ is still

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a draw for parishioners, said Michael Zehnder, the church’s director of music ministries.

The church now holds two services every week: a traditional service built around a pipe organ performance, and a contemporary service built around modern music. Zehnder also leads several choirs and handbell choruses.

“I’m a pastor’s son, and when contemporary music came along in the 1970s, it seemed so wrong to me,” Zehnder said. “But time and again in the Scripture, we see passages about making joyous music to celebrate God. We read about drums, cymbals, harps and trumpets. Martin Luther said, ‘Next to the word of God, I give music the highest praise.’”

Zehnder sees the organ as a bridge to the church’s past, and a way to preserve hymns that date to medieval times.

“It’s a way to feel the awe of God,” Zehnder said.

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24 Washington Park Profile

April 2020

Get your kicks on Route 36 Denver author publishes historic and cultural story of 1,400-mile highway

By Clarke Reader Special to Colorado Community Media

When Washington Park resident Allan Ferguson first came out to Denver for graduate school in 1966, he took one highway from his hometown of Decatur, Illinois, to get to the Mile High City: Route 36.

Making the drive back and forth over the years gave Ferguson a passionate appreciation for Route 36 - a route that he believes is far more deserving of all the hubbub than the more famous Route 66.

“Route 36 is the great American road trip because it has a lot more value culturally and historically than some mythologized highway,” Ferguson said. “Route 36 is replete with American history and westward movement. It was, and is, the main connection between the Midwest

and Rockies.”

Channeling his love of history and affection for travel writing, Ferguson recently published “Route 36: Ohio to Colorado - America’s Heartland Highway” through Denver’s WFPublishing.

Ferguson conceived of the project as a travel article, but it grew in the telling until it became an eight-chapter book.

Each of the six states the highway travels through - Ohio, Indiana, Illinois, Missouri, Kansas and Colorado - get a chapter, and he dedicates two chapters to the history of Route 36.

“People in Colorado think of it as just the Denver-Boulder turnpike, but its 1,411 miles actually pretty faithfully represent what was at one time part of the transcontinental highway, or the Pikes Peak Ocean to Ocean Highway,” he said. “I don’t include information on restaurants and lodging because you can get that online. I wanted this to be a guidebook for today’s traveler. At its heart, it’s a series of towncentered essays based around question of why should I be interested in this place.”

Putting together a project like this isn’t new for Ferguson. He’s been a writer all his

life, albeit in different forms and mediums.

He did plenty of marketing writing for the baby toy business he ran with his wife; he’s a jazz guitarist, which is a whole different kind of writing; and has had four editions published of his book, “Golf in Scotland: A Travel-Planning Guide.”

“My first trip to Scotland was in 1998 and when I was there, I fell in love with Scotland and golf. But there wasn’t any very good information about how one could make a budget golf trip to Scotland,” he explained. “After retiring from the toy business, I started a Scottish golf travel business.”

Ferguson explained that there were a lot of similarities between process and finished product of both books. Both are dedicated to providing all the necessary information to make a good trip.

“Rural American is a very serious topic right now - politically, economically, socially and culturally - and you can gain a lot of insight along the highway,” he said.

“Plus you can get into the history of people like Abraham Lincoln, Walt Disney, Mark Twain, Molly Brown and more along the way.”

Denver’s Allan Ferguson is the author of “Route 36: Ohio to Colorado – America’s Heartland Highway.”

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