Greater Park Hill News April 2024

Slam-Dunk For Gilchrist

Story and photos by Cara DeGette GPHN Editor

In a stunning development, Lindsay Gilchrist shut out three other Democratic candidates running to succeed Rep. Leslie Herod in the Colorado Legislature.

Gilchrist emerged from the March 16 Democratic County Assembly with 42 percent of the votes cast — the only candidate with enough votes to qualify for the June 25 primary election. Three other Democrats running for House District 8— Kwan Atlas, Victor Bencomo and Sharron Pettiford — failed to meet the required threshold to make the ballot.

Initial results indicated that Gilchrist won with 47 votes. Atlas had 33 votes, or 29.5 percent. Pettiford had 20.5 percent and Victor Bencomo trailed with 8 percent. The initial results indicated Atlas failed to make the ballot by just one vote.

After that things got even more interesting. That night, Atlas blasted out a mass email alleging a multitude of improprieties.

“There has been a clear miscount

of the HD8 County Assembly and we do not accept the results of the Assembly vote,” he wrote. “The process was fraught with problems and the rules were undemocratic. We are asking for a recount and an audit.”

The next day, after a recount and a “curing” of the votes by the Denver Democratic Party, the numbers altered just slightly. Instead of losing

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All That Is Golden

The Park Hill Art Club Turns 50 This Year. A Look Back On How It All Started — And The Creative Work That Lies Ahead

By Ruby Dianne Eichenour For the GPHN

Fifty years ago a group of churchwomen gathered around a table in a Park Hill home to chat and make art together.

The year was 1974. An extraordinary teacher named Oksana Ross entered the picture, and taught the women painting, drawing, and art

history. The classes were sponsored by the United Methodist Women of Park Hill United Methodist Church. A year later, the group of artists proudly held its first show and sale in the balcony parlor at the church.

The Park Hill Art Club was born.

Since then, the club has nurtured hundreds of Park Hill artists. Members include hobbyists and working artists, whose creative work hangs

in homes all over the neighborhood. Their art has been featured in galleries and in local venues including the Park Hill Garden Walk, the annual Home Tour and Street Fair, and the annual neighborhood artists’ Open Studio Tour.

As the club reaches its half-century mark, members are gearing up for a spring show next month — one of two held at the Park Hill United Methodist Church every year (see details at right).

Here is a look back on the club’s history and highlights. The early years

The Park Hill Art Club officially organized in December, 1976 at Park

Hill United Methodist Church. The church, at the corner of Montview Boulevard and Glencoe Street, sponsored the club’s classes, and hosted the club’s art shows. Membership grew to 36 participants.

By 1978, the club was holding weekly classes in watercolor, pastels, oil, and drawing in the church’s classrooms. The club provided opportunities for artists to socialize, learn, and show and sell their work. Yearly art shows were held in the church gymnasium.

In 1982, the club adopted its first bylaws. Board positions were officially designated and annual dues were set at $3 a year. The roster had grown

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50th Spring Art Show

The Park Hill Art Club will mark 50 years of fellowship and artistic creation at its Spring Art Show May 3-5. Come one, and all, and join the celebration.

When: Friday through Sunday, May 3-5

Times: May 3 from 4:30-8 p.m.; May 4 and 5 from 10 a.m.-4 p.m.

Where: Park Hill United Methodist Church, 5209 Montview Blvd. Info on Membership, Classes, Events: parkhillartclub.org

From left, Lindsay Gilchrist, Kwon Atlas, Sharron Pettiford and Victor Bencomo at a candidates’ forum in February.

A group of current Park Hill Art Club members. From left, Sue Klodnicki, Adrienne Mullinaux, Glenna Kelly, May Chou, Wanda Patronella, Sue Bruner, Trish Leary, Ruby Eichenour and Saundra Dowling. Photo courtesy of the Park Hill Art Club

How do you save money & make food last longer?

Announcemen T s

Take This Traffic Survey

Are you concerned about safety and increased traffic along 16th and 17th avenues? How about along Montview Boulevard, as well as 13th, 14th and 23rd avenues? In conjunction with the planned Bus Rapid Transit plan for Colfax Avenue, Denver is conducting a safety study of east-west connectors between Broadway and Yosemite. Officials say they will consider community input to develop plans for reducing crashes on these streets. Make your voice heard. Here is the link: fp.mysocialpinpoint.com/ SafetyStudy

Summer Jazz In City Park

Hot blues and big bands, cool jazz and Latin sounds. The lineup for this summer’s free Sunday evening City Park Jazz (cityparkjazz.org) concerts in the park have been announced. All concerts run from 6 to 8 p.m. at the City Park Pavilion. Here is the schedule:

June 2 — Roka Hue

June 9 — Stafford Hunter & Jazz Explorations

June 16 — Mistura Fina

June 23 — ZiMBiRA

June 30 — Hazel Miller and the Collective

July 7 — JoFoKe & Same Cloth

July 14 — Delta Sonics Blues Revue

July 21 — Denver Jazz Orchestra

July 28 — Nelson Ranges

Aug. 4 — Jakarta

Sueños At Montview Pres.

Montview Boulevard Presbyterian Church is holding a special spring concert on Sunday, April 21 — the Colorado premiere of new Spanish-language cantata by Mexican composer Arturo Marquez entitled Sueños (Dreams). The concert,

conducted by Adam Waite, features a 90-voice choir and full orchestra and includes text from four cultures: Mexico, Indigenous American, India and the United States. It begins at 7 p.m. at the church, 1980 Dahlia St. and is free and open to the public.

City Park Day Is May 31

City Park Day continues its tradition of free ice cream, face painting, the Denver Municipal Band and exhibits from institutions that surround Denver’s crown jewel park. This year’s City Park Day is Friday, May 31 from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. and will take on a Victorian feel in celebration of its Victorian roots. The event is free and everyone is welcome.

Sign Up For The Parade

Registration is open for the Park Hill Parade, with a brand new website to boot! ParkHillParade. com is easier to use and more festive than ever before. While you’re there you can register your group for free. The annual parade is scheduled for Thursday, July 4 beginning at 1:30 p.m. Block groups, civic and social organizations, businesses, performers and more can sign up to march. Sponsorships are also available: 303918-6517 or parkhillparade@gmail. com.

Home Tour Set For Sept. 29

The 46th annual Park Hill Home Tour and Street Fair will be Sunday, Sept 29. The annual fundraiser is a ticketed tour of some of the neighborhood’s most interesting homes, as well as a daylong free street festival. Check back in these pages over the next several months for details as they unfold. If you are interested in featuring your home or volunteering, go to parkhillhometour.org.

I rely on my senses, not expiration dates, to decide if food is still good.

Photo courtesy of the Victorian Society of Colorado

En Garde

Sword-billed Hummingbirds have the longest bill in relation to their body size of any bird in the world. And they put those long bills to use. These hummingbirds have co-evolved with the passionflower, which holds nectar at the bottom of their long corolla tubes. Sword-bills provide critical pollination, as no other bird has a bill long enough to reach as deep inside the flowers. Unfortunately, you won’t find any Sword-billed Hummingbirds in Colorado as they live only in South America. This swashbuckler was spotted in Ecuador by Park Hill photographer Mark Silverstein.

A Pox on Plastic

This Earth Day, Imagine An Unclogged Planet

By Tracey MacDermott For the GPHN

Earth Day is Monday, April 22 and this year’s focus is committing to end that ubiquitous and pesky plastic pollution problem that we humans have created.

Organizers are demanding a “60 percent reduction in the production of plastics by 2040 and ultimately building a plastic-free future.” It’s a huge goal considering that our lives are immersed in plastic — all of which is impacting our health, clogging storm drains, killing wildlife, threatening ecosystems. Unfortunately, plastic is rarely recycled.

so are we.

“Our reliance on plastics could be the biggest gamble in the story of human health, in history,” notes Kathleen Rogers, the president of EARTHDAY.ORG. “We are all ingesting and inhaling microplastics. They are everywhere. Are we just hoping they are safe, or is even the remotest possibility they might be toxic so terrifying, that we can’t contemplate it?”

The bottom line, recycling plastic is not the answer. Of course, I am not telling you to stop putting acceptable plastics in the recycle bin. However, if we are to solve this problem, we need to just stop using the stuff altogether. What can we all do?

Start by refusing single-use plastics. This ranges from water bottles, clam shell food containers, condiment bottles, coffee lids — and on and on and on. What changes are you making now that you could share?

Did you know that many of the clothes you wear are made of plastic? Today’s fabrics — a whopping 69 percent — are made of oil-based plastics. Fast Fashion (low priced clothing made quickly to meet current trends) contributes to fully 10 percent of global emissions. Many of these clothes are worn on average only 10 times and then tossed aside for the next trendy outfit. And, the fibers shed when you wash them. That adds more microfiber plastics to our waterways. Not only are marine animals choking on this stuff,

Yes, this is a scary thought, but we do have the ability to change. Start today by simply saying, no more. Educate yourself. Take an inventory of the amount of single-use plastic at your home, your office, where else you go, and begin having a serious conversation about making changes. Get creative and ask yourself if you really need that single-use plastic. Is the harm it causes worth it?

The world around us can at times seem defeating, and a bit hopeless, with so much to do to solve the climate crisis. Yet, this month, as we mark 54 years celebrating Earth Day, change is happening all around us — and much of it in a good way.

First, people are increasingly aware and concerned and want to do their part. At our Greater Park Hill Community headquarters at 2823 Fairfax St., the sun is shining on the rooftop. That means we are generating energy from our new solar panels — and it means every day is Earth Day at your community building. Your registered neighborhood organization is currently converting our building to 100 percent electric. We have been recognized by Denver’s Green Business Program and Colorado’s Green Business. Every month this award-winning paper continues to keep the climate crisis

at the forefront and delivers necessary conversations to your doorstep.

In recent years we have made it a priority to be mindful of our whole business, and committed to making green-friendly adaptations. Everything from who we purchase office supplies from, to promoting composting, to considering new ways to reduce waste, is constantly being fine-tuned. We are not perfect, but we will keep striving to lead and show our community what is possible.

On Saturday April 20, come out to celebrate Earth Day with us as we engage in an annual Colfax cleanup. We’ll work the stretch between Colorado Boulevard and Yosemite Street from 9 to 11 a.m. Look around and adopt any other area of the neighborhood that can use help

picking up plastic and other trash and recycling what can be recycled.

In the months to come we will be sponsoring additional regular neighborhood clean-ups. Email me at traceymacdermott@gmail.com to sign up for Earth Day and other actions. We will supply the tools.

Happy Earth Day!

Tracey MacDermott is an at-large member of the board of Greater Park Hill Community, Inc. She was trained as a Climate Reality Leader in 2017, and is currently the Statewide Co-Chair of the Climate Reality Project for the 100% Committed Campaign. Email her at traceymacdermott@gmail.com.

No-Styrofoam Ninja

12-Year-Old Played A Key Role In Colorado Ban

By Mark Kuhl

For the GPHN

Colorado’s ban on single-use plastic bags and Styrofoam started Jan. 1 (although retailers are allowed to “run-out” their inventory well into 2024).

A 12-year old advocate, Madhvi Chittoor, played a big role in making this happen.

Inspired by an environmental documentary in 2016, Chittoor, who is from Arvada, convinced her school to eliminate Styrofoam lunch trays in 2018. Then she set her sights on the entire state of Colorado. In 2019 she gathered 3,500 signatures to support her

cause and presented them to state legislators to supercharge an effort already in the works to ban singleuse plastic.

Congrats to Ms. Chittoor for her fearless pursuit of making the world a healthier place for all of us.

Mark Kuhl is an environmental advocate who lives in Park Hill with his family. His handy tips and news about recycling household items appear every month in these pages. A directory of his past columns for recycling everything from paint to Styrofoam to shoes is at greaterparkhill.org/ sustainability/recycling-directory/. To

Tuesday-Friday 11am-6pm

Not only are marine animals choking on this stuff, so are we.

Madhvi Chittoor, at right, with Colorado Gov. Jared Polis, state lawmakers and supporters at a bill-signing. Photo courtesy of Madhvi Chittoor

Making a Lawn Story Short

by Micki Amick For the GPHN

No matter what level gardener one may be, a major challenge is likely to be grass. That is, how much lawn — if any — to encourage, manage, and invest with time and money.

Four of the seven gardeners on this year’s June 9 Park Hill Garden Walk have reimagined lawns in ways and for reasons many readers may appreciate. Jackie Berardini has a goal many gardeners share: for something always to be in bloom in her yard from spring through fall with minimal water usage. Her garden incorporates low-water flower gardens designed for sunny areas and shady areas, and one specifically to support butterflies.

In her backyard, Berardini has reduced the lawn area by expanding the perimeter gardens to include shrubs and trees like a Japanese lilac and an espaliered apple with four varieties grafted on it. In addition, she built raised beds that are self-watering via a reservoir at the bottom of the bed.

The surprise alternative, though, is the lawn area of low-water grass that grows sideways. “I wanted grass, but an alternative to Kentucky bluegrass,” Berardini says. She found it in Tahoma 31 Bermuda Grass. Developed in Oklahoma specifically for cold and drought, it comes in sod-form, and uses up to 75 percent less water than bluegrass. Berardini says while expensive in the short run, she waters it no more than once a week, and only had to mow three times last summer. “And it is so nice to walk on,” she says.

Gardener Virginia Leavitt also did not want the mowing and watering required for grass. Two years ago, she replaced areas of her front lawn with a dry bed using river rock and xeric plants. Her backyard also boasts a deep shrub and tree-filled perimeter garden designed around a semi-circle of yard planted with white Dutch micro-clover. Although Leavitt thinks it took as much water as grass to establish, she now has a low-water “lawn” with a lovely yellow-green hue that supports pollinators. She has only had to mow it three times in two years.

Gardeners Paula Marinelli and Jim Milton also wanted to minimize watering and mowing the large yard in front of their setback house, and “little project by little project” have utilized alternatives. Swaths of

grass have been replaced by gardens, raised beds, yard art, small patios and sitting areas, with wood chips in high traffic areas.

“[Our] yard bakes in the afternoon,” says Marinelli, “so we need something sun tolerant that we don’t need to spend a lot of time or water on.”

White Dutch micro-clover, ordered from a nursery specializing in western plants, is seeded yearly into the lawn. Opportunistic plants, like yarrow and wild violets, have also been allowed to grow. “I want a green background for the garden,” laughs Marinelli, “but I don’t care about grass.”

Gardeners Sarah Scott and Erin Mills had the classic grass problem: No grass where they might have wanted a yard, and a lawn where they wanted a garden. The couple is committed to regenerative gardening practices. They’ve spent five years restoring life and diversity to their yard, including vegetable gardens, native plants and a white Dutch micro-clover yard.

The front, originally a grass lawn and bank, now supports an array of plants, many of them native, for medicinal, edible, or artistic purposes.

To create the garden area in the front, Scott and Mills used “lasagna” gardening to remove the grass. In the fall, a layer of cardboard was laid on the grass, wetted down and covered with a layer of compost, a layer of straw, another layer of compost, and a layer of mulch.

“By spring,” says Scott, “your soil is perfect. You’ve killed the grass, but you’ve fed your soil. Much easier than ripping grass out. It’s beautiful!”

The method was also cost-effective. The gardeners gathered cardboard all summer, used two bales of straw, purchased a load of compost, and ordered a free load of mulch from ChipDrop, an organization that recycles cuttings from arborists. Like most gardens, theirs remains a work in progress as they extend their passion for healthy soil and conscious planting all the way to the street.

These Park Hill gardeners will be available during the 24th Annual GPHC Garden Walk, and look forward to providing more information about their plants and processes. If you would like to volunteer at the event, contact Megan Swaim at msmcquinn@gmail.com.

For information on tickets, see the ad on page 6.

April Tips

“The April’s in her eyes. It is love’s spring.

And these the showers to bring it on. Be cheerful.”

— William Shakespeare, Antony and Cleopatra

• At the start of the month, plant bare root roses and transplant existing roses.

• Plant outdoors: celery, parsley and chives.

• Deep water as needed.

• Mid-month: Plant outdoor seeds for chard, collards, parsnip, kohlrabi, kale, beets, carrots, turnips, shallots, peas, potatoes, asparagus, and second sowing of lettuce and spinach.

• Start indoors: eggplant, cucumber, squash, pumpkin and melon.

• End of month, start indoors: basil, cilantro, fennel and other warmseason herbs.

• Check irrigation to make sure your watering systems are working properly.

• Plant trees and shrubs, with consideration for natives and Colorado keystone species (those that support hundreds of other insect and bird species).

• Divide perennials as needed.

Park Hill gardener Virginia Leavitt planted white Dutch micro-clover in her back yard.

Photo courtesy of the gardener

White Dutch micro-clover is sprouting all over the neighborhood. Photo courtesy of Julia Ly on Unsplash.com

Photo by Christine/Unsplash

Inspired By Robots

East High Angelbotics Win Regionals, Headed to World Championship In April Story and photos submitted by East High Angelbotics For the

On March 2, the East High Angelbotics — along with George Washington High’s robotics team, The Kraken — won the FIRST Robotics Utah regional competition.

For the second year in a row, Angelbotics also won the “Gracious Professionalism Award,” a prestigious honor that exemplifies a central tenet of the FIRST Robotics mission: working together both on and off the field of play.

On March 23, Angelbotics went

on to win the Colorado Regional for the second year in a row (along with another “Gracious Professionalism Award”). The East High rookie team, Anglebotics, won the “Rookie All Star” award and due to the of the qualification rules, they earned a wild card to attend the World Championship.

Founded in 1989 by inventor Dean Kamen, FIRST Robotics is a trademarked global nonprofit that prepares young people for the future through a suite of inclusive, teambased robotics programs. The FIRST in the name is an acronym that means: For Inspiration and Recogni-

tion of Science and Technology.

Teams with a tournament victory earn an invitation to the 2024 FIRST Robotics Championship, an international high school robotics competition with teams from all over the globe. The teams of high school students, coaches, and mentors compete with robots up to 125 pounds that complete tasks such as scoring balls into goals, placing inner tubes onto racks, hanging on bars, and balancing robots on balance beams. This year’s game, Crescendo, has a music theme and robots shoot “notes” into “speakers” and “amps.”

The championships will take place in Houston this year from April 17 to 20.

Established in 2004 by East High Engineering teacher Joel Noble, Angelbotics was the 1339th FIRST Robotics team (and is therefore Team 1339 in competitions). It took years to excel to “Champs” status, and Angelbotics will this month compete in Houston for a third consecutive year.

Last year, Angelbotics reached qualifying rounds at Worlds and won the “Imagery Award,” which celebrates attractiveness in engineering and outstanding visual aesthetic integration of robot and team.

This year, more than 50 East High students joined either the veteran team, Angelbotics, or the new rookie team, Anglebotics.  Students learned every step required to build a fully functioning robot, including how to design in 3D with CAD software and “machine out” designed parts with CNC routers, mills, and other tools. After construction, students wire and program the robot for competition.

Angelbotics also supports other

DPS schools, including helping establish South High School’s robotics team, RoboRavens. Every September, Angelbotics hosts Energy Day, providing local teams a chance to showcase their robots.

And at every competition they attend, Angelbotics host the Service Angels service cart, traversing the pits looking for teams who need help in between matches. Community outreach inspires future generations of young people through mentorship to pursue their passions in science, technology, engineering, art, and mathematics.

For more information visit angelbotics.org or thebluealliance.com/ team/1339.

Members of Angelbotics Team 1339, with their robot after winning the Utah regional competition in March.

East High Engineering teacher Joel Noble inspects the Bumpers.

Angelbotics Team 1339 members look on as their robot shoots a “note” into the “speaker” to score.

Painting by Wendy & Kevin Schaefer-Miles, Jewelry by Paula Chang, Woodwork by Tina Hoffer Come and meet them at the show!

winter To Springtime

The high-elevation San Luis Valley in southern Colorado is a remarkable place. The pancake flat Valley sits at 8,000 feet above sea level and stretches more than 100 miles long and 70 miles across. It contains the headwaters of the Rio Grande, is bordered on the east by the 14,000 foot snow-covered peaks of the Sangre de Cristo range, and is visited every spring by tens of thousands of migrating sandhill cranes.

In the southeast corner of the Valley, at the base of the distinctive Sangre de Cristo peaks, lies the Great Sand Dunes National Park. But a visitor to the Valley or the Sand Dunes should not miss an adjacent, less well-known attraction — the 30-foot-tall Zapata Falls waterfall.

Zapata Falls is seven miles south of the Great Sand Dunes National Park, at the end of a three-mile-long access road, 1,000 feet above the valley floor. Reaching the falls requires a one-half mile walk up from the parking lot, through a narrow slot canyon.

In the summer, the raging falls and the associated cool mist are a respite from the sometimes-blister-

ing temperatures of the desert valley and the dunes. In the winter months — likely through early April — the falls freeze into a surreal towering ice sculpture. As a bonus, the steep cavern walls adjacent to the waterfall are one of the few places in Colorado that is home to a breeding population of the rare Black Swift bird.

According to a plaque near the falls, the Zapata name has a long history in the San Luis Valley. In 1864, Mexican families established the community of Zapata and used

the land to raise sheep and other livestock. In the 1870s, cattlemen consolidated their land holdings and established Zapata Ranch, one of the Valley’s first and largest cattle ranches. In 1999, the Nature Conservancy acquired the Zapata Ranch and has been managing the land as a working cattle and bison ranch.

Whether visiting Zapata Falls in the summer or winter, come prepared with appropriate footwear. During summer months, water shoes with good grip will allow for

gaining the base of the falls while walking through the water on the slippery rocks of South Zapata Creek. In winter and early spring, traction devices are essential as the approach to the ice-cave is snow and ice-covered and extremely slick. There is a public Bureau of Land Management campground next to Zapata Falls that includes tent and RV sites, and would be a good base for exploring both the falls and the National Park.

Zapata Falls freezes into a towering ice sculpture in winter, and thaws to a rushing waterfall in spring.

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House District 8, continued from page 1

by one vote, Atlas missed the ballot by two votes. Gilchrist won the primary with 45 votes — not 47.

a “P.S.” at the end of his email, he offered an olive branch to those he offended by his initial suggestion of impropriety — and instead blamed the rules themselves.

GREETINGS FROM YOUR CHILD’S SUMMER OF FUN

Atlas’s assertion — that the process had been “undemocratic” or worse — was met with disgust by party leaders and volunteers.

“We followed the rules and the letter of the law,” said Pat Moreland, co-chair of House District 8. “He was throwing the leadership of House District 8 under the bus and that really ticked me off.”

“I want to apologize if any of our great Democratic volunteers felt attacked,” he wrote.”I am not attacking the people of the Party, I am calling out the rules that suppressed the number of choices we are getting in our primaries.”

“It was just sour grapes — absolute sour grapes — and a clear case of ‘We did not get what we thought we were going to get, so we’ll blame the [Democratic] Party.’ ” 1,200 signatures in 48 hours

Veteran politicos will attest that gathering 1,000 valid signatures in two days is a Herculean endeavor. Yet on March 20, Atlas reported he submitted 1,200 signatures. Those signatures will now be reviewed by the Secretary of State, who will determine how many are valid.

HD8 includes Park Hill as well as parts of Central Park, Whittier, Clayton, Cole, Skyland and Five Points neighborhoods

have been fantastic for our children. The new themes each week keep them excited to go every day, all summer long— plus, they have half-day options and 4th of July Week camps!

Visit isdenver.org/summer to register today!

In a second email sent March 18, Atlas acknowledged he had fallen short. He announced a plan to — with the help of volunteers and staffers — collect 1,000 signatures in just 48 hours, in an effort to petition onto the ballot. (Democratic Party rules stipulate that candidates who receive more than 10 percent in the assembly can petition on by submitting signatures of support from 1,000 registered voters living in the district.)

Atlas could have circulated petitions for months before the assembly. It is unclear at press time why he did not do so in the event he did not garner the support he needed at the assembly.

In a final update, Atlas asserted, incorrectly, that “If I don’t get on the ballot Lindsay Gilchrist will become the State Representative without any election.”

“45 people should not be able to decide the election!,” Atlas wrote. “Thousands need to have a say!”

Atlas said he needed $10,000 to fund his effort, and he asked supporters for immediate donations. In

Actually, there are two elections ahead: The June 25 primary and the Nov. 5 general election. But Atlas’s statement has some utility: As it stands as of press time, Gilchrist will be the sole Democrat on the ballot. No Republican challenger has filed to run for HD8 — which is an overwhelmingly Democratic district.

So barring an even more stunning development between now and Nov. 5, Gilchrist, a public policy advocate

and lobbyist, is the likely HD8 heir apparent.

What will they do now?

The two other Democratic candidates who were running for House District 8 — Sharron Pettiford and Victor Bencomo — circulated petitions and participated in the caucuses and assembly. Pettiford estimates she fell far short of the 1,000 signatures required.

Bencomo, however, did not garner enough assembly support to petition onto the ballot. In an interview, Bencomo conceded he is licking his wounds post-loss but plans to return to his anti-gun violence advocacy work. Bencomo is president of the Colorado chapter of Giffords Gun Owners for Safety, a group led by former Arizona Congresswoman Gabby Giffords.

“Whoever wins, I am looking forward to working with our next

state representative to pass sensible gun legislation with them and with Giffords,” he said.

In late March, Pettiford told the Greater Park Hill News that she has not officially suspended her campaign, but she realizes that her path forward is not looking good.

“It’s a bummer, it’s really a bummer,” she said. “I hate that it happened, because I know I am the best person for the seat.” Indeed, Pettiford said she intends to run again in two years.

Pettiford, a social caseworker, labor organizer and political activist, lives in Northeast Park Hill. Early on in the election cycle, she said, she and Atlas, as well as former school board member Auon’tai Anderson, met to discuss coming to an agreement for a single Black candidate in the race and avoid potentially splitting the vote. Anderson ultimately decided not to run, but Atlas, who

last year lost a bid for the Denver City Council, stayed in. Atlas, a nonprofit director who currently lives in Five Points, also ran unsuccessfully for mayor of Fort Collins in 2017.

Some hoped for a longer dating period

Atlas collected highprofile endorsements from former Mayor Michael B. Hancock, developer and former councilman Albus Brooks, as well as Anna Jo Haynes and her daughters Khadija Haynes and Happy Haynes. However, according to campaign finance records, as of Jan. 16 — the most recent reporting period as of press time — Atlas showed just $1,270 in contributions.

Pettiford raised $3,785 in contributions as of Jan. 16. Her endorsements included state Sen. Janice Marchman, state Rep. June Joseph and Rev. Timothy Tyler of Shorter AME Church.

Bencomo banked $26,261 — five times the amount raised by Pettiford and Atlas combined. But that amount pales compared to the $66,748 that Gilchrist raised as of Jan. 16.

Though Gilchrist grew up in Park Hill and graduated from East, she has spent much of her adult life and career outside of Denver, including in Los Angeles and Washington, D.C. She now lives back in Park Hill with her wife and three children.

During her run Gilchrist secured

several high-profile endorsements, including from District Attorney Beth McCann (who previously represented House District 8), former Colorado First Lady Dottie Lamm and former Lt. Gov. Gail Shoettler.

Rep. Leslie Herod, who is termlimited, did not endorse in the race.

At her campaign website (gilchristforcolorado.com), Gilchrist identifies several issues that she feels strongly about. These include: criminal justice reform, child welfare, gun violence prevention, affordable housing and homelessness, justice, equity and inclusion, education, economic opportunity, healthcare, climate and immigration.

But despite Gilchrist’s origins in Park Hill, some observers and longtime residents say they simply don’t know much about her. Many indicate they were hoping a robust Democratic primary would have helped them better understand her positions — and her legislative goals.

“We all ran a really clean campaign and got along,” said Pettiford. “I just have never seen her in the community.”

In January, Gilchrist underscored her enthusiasm about the race.

“I feel deeply connected to the district and excited about the opportunity to represent HD8 in the State Legislature,” she told the Greater Park Hill News. “I have always been passionate about public service and that government can be a place to bring people together and solve our greatest challenges. That is why I am running.”

Check back in months ahead for news about the House District 8 race.

Lindsay Gilchrist chats with City Councilman Darrell Watson after a candidates’ forum.

Victor Bencomo, with his service dog Rey.

Kwon Atlas and Sharron Pettiford at a February forum at Park Hill United Methodist Church.

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Art Club, continued from page 1

to 59 members. Members paid $25 for a choice of four classes, each lasting eight weeks, with three sessions per year. The art shows became a late April/early May tradition. Watercolor classes were very popular and had a waiting list.

In the ‘90s, classes were held twice a week. Summer plein air events were added — members called them “Paint Outs.” By 1996, a Fall Art Show had been added. Club members toured together to Santa Fe,

A True original

Patricia Barr Clarke: Member, Teacher, Artist, Friend

Artist Patricia Barr Clarke joined the Park Hill Art Club in 1977, or possibly 1978. She holds the honor of being the longest-serving member of the board, helping to lead the club through its infancy into adulthood.

New Mexico for an art retreat, and began showing their work at local festivals.

In the early 2000s, new art display panels were installed at the Spring Art Show, lending a more professional look — and a favorite place to shop for affordable local art in the spring and fall. Membership swelled to around 250 members. A 2004 article in the Greater Park Hill News celebrated the club’s 30th anniversary: “It’s about the classes.”

Last month Barr Clarke was honored by the board for her longtime service to the club.

Barr Clarke is a nationally recognized, award-winning watercolorist whose work is exhibited in galleries

in Santa Fe and Vail and in private collections all over the world. She has taught for 26 years, including to art students at the Park Hill Art Club and the Art Garage. Barr Clarke has traveled the world painting landscapes in Spain, Egypt, Morocco and other far-off lands.

Lisa Snead

Pete Christensen

Artist at work. File photo

Indeed, the Park Hill Art Club had grown into a thriving art school where new artists could learn, and skilled artists could develop their craft under the mentorship of wellknown talent. By 2010, the club was holding 10 to 12 eight-week classes, three times a year. Then came the lockdown

The club grew and thrived due to an enthusiastic membership and the incredible generosity of Park Hill United Methodist Church. The church did not charge for the classroom space; they only took a percentage of the show sales. In 2010, the club increased membership dues to give a portion to the church to help with building remodeling costs. (Eventually the church started charging the club a modest rent for classroom space.)

The club stayed on course as a community art school through the decade. Then came the lockdowns of 2020.

Seemingly overnight, everything changed. Teachers began teaching online; students — young and old

— began learning online. Some club members took online classes from their favorite local teachers; others branched out to other instructors in all parts of the world.

And thus, many artists kept learning. The club, however, by mid-2021, was on the verge of collapse. That fall, in-person classes were readying to resume. But the club learned that the church, in need of costly remodels, could no longer host classes (though the gymnasium would still be available for the twice/yearly art shows).

The club nearly disbanded, but for one new member, Judy Murdock. Frustrating, difficult — and gratifying

With the help of Joan Porter, the “pandemic” club president, Murdock recruited a core group of enthusiastic members who worked to keep the club going. A committee began searching for a new club meeting place.

Which brings us to 2024. At the half-century mark, a new volunteer board is working mightily to piece the club back together. It

is a struggle to recruit volunteers to help with the effort. In pre-pandemic 2019 the club had almost 300 members; post-pandemic the club has regrown to around 130. Currently, the club holds open studio and workshops in a temporary location at the Art Gym, at 1460 Leyden St. The club will also hold some monthlong art classes in April and May at Refresh Studios at 950 Jersey St.

Current president Amy Martin describes the efforts as “frustrating and difficult” — but also “gratifying, as people step up to get stuff done.” Several new and younger members have recently joined and are bringing fresh vitality to the club. But more is needed.

“I believe if we are to survive, we need to attract younger artists to pick up the torch and help us rebuild,” Martin says. “Finding a venue to replace the church is crucial if we want to provide that core education piece which sets us apart from most of the other small local artist groups.”

“I am not sure where we are ulti-

mately headed, but I think the last year has shown that we can survive if we think outside the box and let go of old expectations.”

Check out parkhillartclub.org for information on club membership and upcoming classes.

Betsy Keyes Cassandra Cooper

Ruby Eichenour Ed Schoen

Amy Martin

The Drumroll, Please…

Public Art Will Honor The Life And Leadership Of Denver’s first African American Librarian

By Megan Deffner and Leslie Williams

For the GPHN

In February, 2023, we updated the community about the kickoff of a new public art project at the Pauline Robinson Branch Library, which is currently undergoing renovations.

Since then, a selection panel has refined and finalized the goals, a call to artists was advertised, applications were reviewed, and three artists were selected and invited to create site-specific proposals.

In December, the panel met with the artists to review and select concepts for the newly renovated space. The decision has been ratified by the Public Art Committee, the Denver Commission on Cultural Affairs, and the mayor. The announcement of the artists is pending execution of the contract with the City and County of Denver.

Two of the finalists proposed an artist collaboration to activate two spaces inside the library: the wall behind the circulation desk and a wall in the children’s area.

The concept chosen to activate the space behind the circulation desk uses a photograph of the library’s namesake, Pauline Robinson, as the centerpiece. She will greet patrons as they enter. Different abstract and realistic elements surround Robinson and are meant to honor and tell

her story of strength, resilience, love, joy and change.

Robinson was Denver’s first African American librarian and the concept chosen to activate the children’s area is a triptych illustration meant to pay homage and honor her and emphasize her role as a leader. The panels include an image of Robinson standing proudly looking off into the future, of her reading to kids and promoting literacy, of kids who have been inspired to read — and of her central role in it all.

To learn more about the renovation, visit denverlibrary.org/paulinerobinson-bond-project-updates. To learn more about Denver Public Art, visit DenverPublicArt.org.

Stay tuned in months to come for additional updates, including images of the art renderings when they become available. and when the library will be ready to reopen. At press time no date has been set.

Megan Deffner is Public Art Administrator for Denver Arts and Venues. Leslie Williams is the Pauline Robinson Branch Librarian.

March Library Programs

Pauline Robinson Branch

The Pauline Robinson Branch Library is closed for renovations. While construction is underway,

limited library services are being offered at Hiawatha Davis, Jr. recreation center at 3334 Holly St. Services are Monday through Thursday from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

• Chromebooks are available for public use, as well as printing and copying.

• A cart of free books and DVDs is available for browsing.

• Digital Navigator appointments a re available Tuesdays from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

• Bookmobile is on Wednesdays f rom 1 to 2:30 p.m.

• Community Resource Navigators a re available Thursdays from 10 to 11 a.m.

Park Hill Branch

Baby Storytimes | Thursdays 10:15-10:45 a.m.

Stories, songs, rhymes and fun for babies ages 0-18 months and their parents or caregivers.

Toddler Storytimes | Fridays 10:15-10:45 a.m.

Stories, songs, rhymes and fun for toddlers ages 18-36 months and their parents or caregivers.

TAB | Tuesdays, April 2, 16 & 30, 4:30-5:30 p.m.

Anyone grades 6-12 is welcome to join and help with library programming and resources geared towards teens.

Writing Circle | Thursdays, 1:30-3:30 p.m.

Who are you writing for? Join our adult writing circle to hone your writing skills and share your work.

Kids Game Club | Wednesday, April 3 & 17, 3:30-5:30 p.m.

Are you looking for something fun after school? Drop by to play games in a fun, relaxed environment the first and third Wednesday of each month. Ideal for ages 5-12. Make friends, learn to be good losers and winners and have fun. Adults are welcome to stay and play with their children also.

Voice of the Wood Chamber Players | Saturday, April 6, 3-4 p.m.

The string ensemble Voice of the Wood Chamber Players enchants audiences near and far with their mellifluous talents. This concert will feature string quintets by Mozart and Donizetti.

So Much Stuff: How Humans Discovered Tools, Invented Meaning, and Made More of Everything with Author Chip Colwell | Saturday, April 6, 11 a.m.-12:30 p.m.

Get in the mood for spring cleaning with archaeologist and author Chip Colwell who delves into hu-

manity, moving from gathering to gluttony through the ages and the consequences to today’s world.

Kids Book Celebration | Thursday, April 18, 4-5 p.m.

Read the book or books in the series at home then join us to participate in fun activities. This month we will be exploring the book Peter & the Wolf by Gavin Friday with illustrations by Bono. Special guests will be a woodwind quintet, comprised of local professional musicians, who will introduce and demonstrate each of their instruments to the audience (flute, oboe, clarinet, bassoon, horn), and then present a narrated musical performance of Peter and the Wolf by Prokofiev.

Gold-Fated Family: J.J. Brown, Husband of Unsinkable Margaret “Molly” Brown | Saturday, April 20, 11 a.m.-12:30 p.m.

Five years and thousands of documents later, Jody Pritzl has written the newest retelling of J.J. Brown and his wife Margaret “Molly” Brown. The husband, who discovered the largest gold strike in Colorado in 1892, was overshadowed by one of the most famous Coloradans of all time for her heroic actions when the Titanic sank.

Death Café | Monday, April 22, 2-3:30 p.m.

Death Café is an international movement that invites people to gather, normalize conversations around death — to make the most of LIFE. This is not a grief support group or counseling session. Respect for all views is a priority.

Qi Gong | Wednesday, April 24, 11 a.m.noon

Qi Gong is the cornerstone of traditional Chinese medicine. Sometimes called “meditation in motion,” it includes slow, dance-like movements to improve breathing, reduce stress, and gently move the body. All levels and abilities are welcome at this memory-friendly event.

No Strings Attached Book Chat | Saturday, April 27, 11 a.m. -12:30 p.m.

Read whatever you want and attend whenever you can. Share a recent read, an old favorite, or anything in between.

Greater Park Hill has two public libraries: The Park Hill branch library is at 4705 Montview Blvd. For hours of operation and additional upcoming programs, visit denverlibrary. org/events/upcoming. The Pauline Robinson Branch Library is at 5575 E. 33rd Ave. It is currently closed for renovations. See listings above for current location and library services.

Pardon our construction: The Pauline Robinson Branch Library in Northeast Park Hill is getting a facelift. When the renovations are complete, artwork inside will honor the library’s namesake. Photo by Cara DeGette

Shattered Innocence

Park Hill-Based Author Harry

MacLean’s

Starkweather Examines A Killing Spree That Seized The Nation

Q&A By Cara DeGette GPHN Editor

Harry MacLean describes Charlie Starkweather as the first mass murderer of the modern age.

The year was 1958. Starkweather was 19 years old. His girlfriend, Caril Ann Fugate, just 14. In a brutal murder spree that January, 10 people were killed and innocence shattered in the heartland city of Lincoln, Neb.

The killing spree gripped the country, and the story continued to be revisited over decades. “The flight and capture and trials of Charlie and Caril were carried on nightly news, and the love affair between TV and violence was born,” MacLean says. “Charlie was immortalized in movies (Badlands) and songs (Bruce Springsteen’s Nebraska and Billy Joel’s We Didn’t Light the Fire). He and Caril were the inspiration for Oliver Stone’s film Natural Born Killers and author Stephen King’s fascination as a boy with horror.

where three of the brutal murders occurred.

Now an attorney and true crime writer, MacLean has lived in Park Hill for three decades. In early December his latest book, Starkweather, the Untold Story of the Crime Spree that Changed America was published by Counterpoint Press to many positive reviews (including being named a notable non-fiction book of 2023 by the Washington Post).

On Saturday, April 13 at 4 p.m., MacLean is holding a public reading and booksigning of Starkweather at Cake Crumbs, 2216 Kearney St. Proceeds will benefit the Denver Public Library Friends Foundation. In anticipation of the event, the author answered a few questions from the Greater Park Hill News.

Greater Park Hill News: You say in the book that you thought about writing about the Starkweather case for years. What convinced you to finally commit to this project?

the pardon board denied her request. From growing up in Lincoln, Neb., I knew she had been presumed guilty of murder by law enforcement, the press, and residents from the very beginning. Researching the case after the pardon denial, I learned that the question had never been thoroughly investigated. It was long past time to take a fair, objective look at the question of her guilt or innocence.

GPHN:  It must have been eerie to revisit the story that you grew up with, just a mile from where three of the murders occurred. Describe one memory that you’ve carried with you throughout your life about the crime spree.

MacLean: I knew Mike Ward. At 14, he was away at prep school in the East, as was I. We lived a few blocks from the Ward house in Lincoln. When I got the call at school from my mother that Mike’s parents had been murdered, my first reaction was one of shock and sadness, and then a realization that it could easily have been my family. I have imagined over the years the moment the minister entered Mike’s dorm room on the evening of Jan. 30, 1958, and delivered his devastating news to Mike of the death of his parents.

GPHN:  Without giving too much away, do you anticipate ever seeing or speaking to Caril Ann Fugate again?

“The world was never quite the same after Charlie’s killing spree.”

That year, 1958, Harry MacLean was 15 years old. His house, in Lincoln, was a little over a mile from

Harry MacLean: The question of Caril Ann Fugate’s guilt or innocence. She was 14 at the time of the murders and spent 17 years in prison before being paroled in 1976. She requested a pardon in 2018. In 2020,

MacLean: Yes. I send Caril birthday cards every July 31. She is now 80. I would like to see and speak with her again now that the book is out. Whatever you believe about her participation, its hard not to see her life as a tragedy.

The author is holding a public reading and booksigning of Starkweather at Cake Crumbs at 2216 Kearney St. on Saturday, April 13 from 4-5 p.m. Proceeds will go to the Denver Public Library Friends Foundation.

Author Harry MacLean

Caril Ann Fugate and Charlie Starkweather, in an undated photo. Photo courtesy of Harry MacLean

Getting Lucky

’Tis A Privilege To Live And Work In Park Hill

By Lori Midson Executive Director, GPHC, Inc.

As luck would have it, I’m writing this column on Saint Patrick’s Day. Luck. What is luck? Webster’s defines it as “a force that brings good fortune or adversity.” Best of luck. Out of luck. No such luck.

“Luck” is a weird word. But today, while the bars are overrun with imbibers clinking their pints of Guinness, I’m thinking about how lucky I am — and not just because I’m Irish.

I’m lucky — extremely lucky — to spearhead the day-to-day operations of a longstanding and beloved organization that gives so much back to its immediate community through our five, no-cost food programs, sustainability efforts and initiatives, monthly community meetings and full slate of annual events.

to 1,720 individuals. At this time last year, they’d distributed 5,600 pounds of food to 400 individuals. That’s an increase of nearly 124 percent. Our food pantry volunteers are rockstars, as is Sandy, our office coordinator who’s celebrating her one-year anniversary with Greater Park Hill Community, Inc. this month. I’m lucky to have her as my sidekick.

Our volunteers have distributed 22,000 pounds of food to 1,720 individuals this year. That’s an increase of nearly 124%.

I’m beyond lucky to work alongside a simply amazing team of food panty volunteers who show up early, stay late and distribute nourishment to an ever-increasing population of food-insecure families.

To date this year, our tireless and sometimes taxed volunteers have distributed 22,000 pounds of food

And I’m incredibly lucky to live — and work — in a community chock full of kind and generous neighbors and businesses that go above and beyond to support our food programs (please keep your food pantry donations coming!), sustainability initiatives and neighborhood cleanups, the Greater Park Hill News and our yearly fundraising events — including the Park Hill Garden Walk, Home Tour & Street Fair and our Fall Festival at Axum Park.

I’ve had the honor and privilege to talk with many of you at the office, on the sidewalk, at a local coffeehouse and our events, and I am so lucky to call many of you friends.

Thank you, as always, to all our donors and volunteers for your kindness, in-kind and financial contributions, involvement and dedication to GPHC. You are so appreciated.

Current Food Pantry Needs

We accept donations at our office at 2823 Fairfax St. between 9:15 a.m. and 3:30 p.m. on Mondays and Wednesdays, between noon and 5 p.m. on Tuesdays and on Saturdays with advance notice. You can also drop off non-expired donations at Mayfair Liquors (at 14th and Krameria) and the Park Hill Library (at Montview and Dahlia). Our food pantry needs are updated weekly on our website: greaterparkhill.org/foodprograms/emergency-food-pantry/.

In the meantime, if you’re at the grocery store, please consider donating a few items from the list below:

• Canned fish, chicken and Spam

• Pasta and pasta sauce

• Canned chili and hearty soups a nd stews

• Canned refried, pinto, navy and k idney beans

• Canned pineapple, oranges and peaches

• Salt, pepper and jarred spices a nd seasonings

• Shelf-stable pasta and rice packaged meals

• Tomato paste and tomato sauce

• Canola, olive and vegetable oil

• Cereal, oatmeal and pancake mixes

• Milk, butter, cheese and eggs

• Instant coffee packets

• Apples, oranges and bananas

• Toilet paper, paper towels and K leenex

• Travel-size toiletries

• Reusable shopping bags

While we’re always grateful for your donations, please, please be mindful of food expiration dates. For safety reasons, we will not accept expired food items. And please do not leave donations outside our office door. Thank you for abiding by these guidelines.

The following organizations and individuals donated to and volunteered with Greater Park Hill Community, Inc. in March:

Churches, businesses and organizations

Blessed Sacrament Catholic Church

City and County Denver Public Works

Cure D’Ars Catholic Church

Curtis Park Deli

Dahlia Campus Farms and Gardens

Denver Public Library

Food Bank of the Rockies

Mayfair Liquors

Messiah Community Church

Park Hill Branch Library

Park Hill United Church of Christ

Park Hill United Methodist Church

St. Thomas Episcopal Church

Starbucks

Woodgrain Bagels Individuals and Families

Sylvia Aldena

Janey and Harmon Alpert

Penny Ashley-Lawrence

Cathy Bauchwitz

Tamar Berner

Bill Bettag

Simon Blamires

Heather Blanchard and William White

Isabel Brown

Jennifer Calderone

The Strength Of Hercules

With tell-tale horns, Rhinoceros beetles can grow up to six inches long. Saying they are strong is an understatement. The National Wildlife Federation makes a pretty good analogy to give you an idea. Adult beetles can lift objects 30 times their own weight without sacrificing any speed. Shazam! That would be equivalent to a human being able to effortlessly carry around an adult male rhinoceros. It’s no surprise, then, that they are also called Hercules beetles. These herbivores may look ferocious but they are gentle giants — they don’t bite and are actually somewhat friendly. Rhinoceros beetles are found on every continent except Antarctica. Photo by Mark Silverstein

The ABCs of Sedation

When And Why Your Pets Needs Anesthesia

By Margot K. Vahrenwald, DVM, CVJ For the GPHN

Apprehension at the thought of your pet being anesthetized or sedated is perfectly normal. Many pet owners are so fearful about anesthesia and sedation that they delay or avoid important treatments for their beloved family members. Delays mean disease continues to progress and a much more difficult decision might have to be made. No one should ever tell someone not to be worried, but a few things might help ease your mind about anesthesia and sedation:

• Fewer than 1 in 100,000 a nimals have any issues or problems under anesthesia or sedation, which is about the same as it is for humans. Most difficulties occur in human and animal patients with concurrent problems or co-morbidities that increase risk, such as advanced heart disease. And, known risks can be managed with careful drug choices and monitoring.

is given as soon as sedation is no longer needed.

Why do we anesthetize or sedate our animal patients? Several reasons:

• It’s obvious for invasive surgery t hat anesthesia is needed to prevent pain and movement.

• For dental procedures. No pet will w illingly sit with a digital dental x-ray plate in their mouth, particularly when it can be uncomfortable when positioning to get images of some of the teeth. Nor can teeth be safely extracted on an awake patient.

Fewer than 1 in 100,000 animals have any issues or problems.

• We also clean subgingivally (or just under the gumline) — for which humans are sedated too because the degree of discomfort.

• For x-rays, we can and do take x-rays on awake animals.

who we Are, what we Do

The Board of Directors of GPHC, Inc.

Greater Park Hill Community, Inc., is a volunteer-based registered neighborhood organization that promotes the character and vibrancy of Park Hill, provides resources, information and advocacy, and preserves quality of life and the history of the neighborhood through community participation.

If you have an issue you’d like to discuss about the neighborhood, reach out to your board representative (listed at right). Unless indicated, representatives can be contacted via the main office, at 303-388-0918 or info@greaterparkhill.org.

GPHC world headquarters is 2823

Fairfax St.

If you are interested in volunteering or serving on a committee, contact current GPHC Board Chair Shane Sutherland at chair@greaterparkhill.org.

• Board Chair Shane Sutherland

• Secretary Bernadette Kelly

• Treasurer Heather Shockey

• District 1 Amy Harris

• District 2 Brenda Morrison

• District 3 Heather Shockey

• District 4 Currently vacant

• District 5 Sophie Milam

• District 6 Phebe Lassiter

• District 7 Jon Bowman

• District 8 Nam Henderson

• District 9 Doug Schuler

• District 10 Colette Carey

• At Large Maria Flora

• At Large Shanta Harrison

• At Large Tracey MacDermott

• At Large Laurel Mohr

• At Large Louis Plachowski: lplachowski@gmail.com

• At-Large Leslie Twarogowski

• Youth Chair Rick Medrick

• Blessed Sacrament James Groves

• Park Hill UMC Jacqui Shumway

• The scary drugs that used to cause problems for our patients, such as thiopental, are no longer used. The drugs used are the same that you receive from your human anesthesiologist when undergoing brief procedures or minor surgery.

• The anesthetic medications available to veterinarians currently are leaps and bounds better than when I started in this field 30-plus years ago. All our products are either short-acting, such as gas anesthetic – meaning they are metabolizing out of the patient as soon as administration is discontinued – or reversible, such as injectable sedation with a reversal agent that

But for fearful or painful animals, especially for orthopedic images of limbs, sedation offers not only pain relief but allows positioning for truly diagnostic images in one shot rather than having to take multiples. That lessens x-ray exposure for both people and pets.

Your veterinarian and their supporting team members should always be willing to answer all questions about anesthetic procedures. If the timing is right, they might even give you a tour of the hospital and you can see their people, procedures and processes in action.

Dr. Margot Vahrenwald is the owner of Park Hill Veterinary Medical Center at 2255 Oneida St. For more information, visit www.parkhillvet.com.

The challenges facing today’s retirees are unique. Higher inflation, skyrocketing healthcare costs, longer life expectancies, and complex Social Security rules all make much of the conventional retirement wisdom of the past obsolete. In this new era, it’s crucial that you take a fresh look at the challenges ahead and create a comprehensive plan to address them.

For 30 years, we’ve been working with people like you to address the challenges of the transition from accumulating their nest egg to using it to support their retirement lifestyle. Get in touch today to schedule a complimentary consultation.

Active Minds

The organization’s mission is to expand lives and minds by providing outstanding educational programs. Check out free lectures on topics ranging from music to history, current events to foreign affairs, including in and near Park Hill. A complete schedule of upcoming events is at activeminds.com

Art Garage

6100 E. 23rd Ave., artgaragedenver. com, 303-377-2353. The Art Garage is a nonprofit visual art community center whose mission is to offer artsbased programs that inspire, empower and promote creative self-expression by people of all ages, backgrounds, and ability levels. Check out ArtGarageDenver.com for details.

Blunders and Beers

Blunders and Beers is a Park Hill Chess Club that meets the second and fourth Wednesdays of each month at Longtable Brewhouse, 2895 Fairfax St., beginning at 6 p.m. All skill levels are welcome. Bring a board if you have one.

Daughters of the American Revolution

Are you interested in genealogy? Your family history? American history? The Frances Wisebart Jacobs Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution meets regularly in the area. Contact Kathy Kelly at kkellyfwj76@gmail.com for details.

Denver Police District 2 3921 Holly St., 2.Dist@denvergov. org, non-emergency number is 720913-1000. For emergencies, dial 9-1-1.

Denver Public Schools dpsk12.org

Check the website for resources and updates. Call the helpline at 720-4233054 for support in many languages.

Donations Resources

Greater Park Hill Community, Inc. 2823 Fairfax St., greaterparkhill.org, 303-388-0918

GPHC neighborhood association community meetings are conducted virtually and in person on the first Thursday of the month, except for December and July. The next meeting is Thursday, April 4 at 6:30 p.m. at 2823 Fairfax St. Check greaterparkhill.org/join-us/community-meetings/ for information on how to participate. The May meeting is May 2.

Libraries denverlibrary.org

See the “At the Library” feature on page 14 for updates and resources offered by the Park Hill and Pauline Robinson branch libraries.

Northeast Park Hill Coalition

The Northeast Park Hill Coalition hosts its monthly meeting the second Thursdays of the month. Location varies. Check the group’s Facebook page @ Northeast Park Hill Coalition for updates.

One World Singers

A community choral group that performs music from diverse cultures and traditions, and nurtures the musical abilities of all who wish to sing. Rehearsals every Thursday at 7 p.m. at St. Thomas Church, 22nd and Dexter. Email Sandy at  owsmanager@yahoo. com  or go to OneWorldSingers.org for more information.

Park Hill Community Bookstore

Established in 1971. Denver’s oldest nonprofit bookstore. Used and new books. 4620 E. 23rd Avenue. 303-355-8508.  Members and volunteers get discounts and book credits. Check parkhillbookstore.org for current hours of operation.

Park Hill Peloton

A recreational group of road cyclists that roll from Park Hill once or twice a week. Check the current status of their rides on the Park Hill Peloton Facebook page.

Sie Filmcenter

2510 E. Colfax, denverfilm.org, 303595-3456.

Free Zoom Tai Chi

Thousands of our neighbors have been living unsheltered and are struggling for basic services. Thousands more are newcomers to Colorado and the United States, arriving with little to nothing. So many can use your help. Check out our online list of organizations who accept donations — everything from clothes and furniture to bikes and baby essentials. greaterparkhill.org/spreading-thelove/

Faith Community

greaterparkhill.org/faith

Greater Park Hill’s faith community, home to over 30 places of worship in just four square miles, is as diverse and robust as the neighborhood itself. The GPHN maintains a list of Park Hill’s places of worship at the website above. Contact individual places of worship for information about their current state of operations.

Free morning beginner Tai Chi classes on Zoom every Friday at 10 a.m. and Wednesday at 6 p.m. Register at taichidenver.com/beginner-tai-chizoom-class/. Longtime Park Hillians Jacqui and Joe, who teach the class, will send you the link to join.

Walk2Connect

www.walk2connect.com

Park Hill Sunrise Walking Trips happen every Tuesday from 7:15 a.m. to 8:15 a.m. Meet in front of Honey Hill Cafe at 23rd & Dexter Street for a casual, conversational-paced community walk. Everyone is welcome.

events and resources to editor@greaterparkhill.org Deadlines are the 15th of the month, for the following month’s

CONCRETE

Concrete work and repair. Driveway, patios, and sidewalks. Small jobs are welcome. 25 years experience. Free estimates. 303-429-0380

GENERAL CONTRACTOR

LICENSED GENERAL CONTRACTOR IN PARK HILL! Lead-based paint abatement firm and epa certified for Lead Paint Safety and Compliance! Mold and Mildew Remediation; Small Jobs are Great. Kitchen (backsplashes, floors), Bath, Home Offices, all phases of remodeling. Experience with providing ideas for Layouts, Products, and Color Samples from start to finish. Energy Star Windows, Doors, Insulation. Custom Wood Fences. Call Mark-303-921-3161; pikerprojects@gmail.com - Remodeling; usabatement@yahoo.com – Lead-Based Paint

GUTTERS

Gutter Cleaning, repairs, and replacement. Gutter Cleaning prices start at $150 – House, Garage, Porches, and walks. 303-907-9223/skmehaffey@ gmail.com

MASONRY SERVICES

Masonry Services- Brick, Stone, Concrete repairs, restoration, tuckpointing, chimneys, retaining walls, city sidewalks; planter boxes. 303-907-9223/ skmehaffey@gmail.com

PAINTING

Interior and exterior painting. Prep, power washing, professional. Owned and operated by Park Hill resident with over 20 years of experience. Free estimate. JR Painting 720-485-7207 or jpabz04@gmail.com

Painting: Interior, exterior, small jobs welcome; sheetrock repairs and texture. 303-907-9223/ skmehaffey@gmail.com

ROOFING

Roofing: Repairs, Inspections, Flashings, Hail Damage, and reroofing licensed, bonded, and insured. Gutter replacement and cleaning. 303-907-9223/ skmehaffey@gmail.com

SKI & SNOWBOARD CARE

www.centralparkskiboardtuning.com

Ski and snowboard waxing and tuning. Free pickup and delivery to residence. Visit website or text Brett 303-929-7294

TREE TRIMMING

Tree trimming and trash removal. General yard work and clean up. Gutter cleaning. Please call 303-429-0380

TUCKPOINTING

Over 25 years of experience. Fully insured. Mortar color and brick matching, broken brick replacement, cement chimney crown replacement. 12 years Chicago union experience. Mr. Chimney and Home Masonry Repair. Call Chuck Bahnsen 303-948-7999

WINDOWS

Window and Gutter Cleaning. First Floor Only. Call Bob at Twin Pines Window Cleaning, 303 329 8205

Double-hung window RESTORATION includes replacing sash cords (ropes) and removal of excess paint on wood and metal plus lubrication for smooth opening and closing. 40-year resident of PH. Contact David720-550-2786

To advertise in the Classifieds contact newspaper@greaterparkhill.org 720-287-0442 (voicemail). the deadline for submission is the 15th of every month