GPHC July 2015

Volume 54, Issue No. 7

A Greater Park Hill Community, Inc. Publication

School Culture Under Fire At Stedman Elementary

July 2015

Show Your Park Hill Pride GPHC Kicks Off Membership Drive

By Larry Ricketts

Many Teachers Vote No-Confidence; Others Hopeful

For the past two months, Stedman parschool’s students (181) come from families ents, teachers and staff members have conchoicing into it. tacted me to express their concerns for the Stedman is a Transitional Native Language school. Except when specifically named, they Instruction (TNLI) school, which means it have asked to remain anonymous to protect provides native Spanish speaking students themselves, their children, or their positions with instruction in both Spanish and Engwithin Denver Public Schools. lish. Over time, instruction shifts from beStedman is an elementary school at 2940 ing mainly done in Spanish, to being done Dexter St. in Park Hill. in English.

According to DPS docuNew leadership team ments, the school had 353 Lynn Kalinauskas Anchored in decades students in 2014-15, 84.4 GPHC Education Chair of history in the Park Hill percent of whom qualified for Free and Reduced neighborhood, Stedman Lunch (FRL), an indicator has a number of its famiof poverty. Although some Stedman boundlies who have had a long relationship with ary families choose to send their children to the school and its veteran teachers and staff. different elementary schools (69 percent in Exactly a year ago, Melissa Peterson and 2014), the fact is, more than 50 percent of the Hannah Kehn were appointed Principal and

schools Update

Vice Principal to the school. This gave them little time to get to know the community, the school, or its culture before they began implementing some changes in August, 2014.

With new leadership always comes a period of adjustment but changes happening without notice caught parents and staff by surprise. For some, it has been a long year.

In an interview at Stedman on June 9, Peterson said her goal, as given by the district, was to bring the school from a being coded yellow (accredited on watch) to green (meets expectations), admitting this would not happen in a single year.

Denver Public Schools’ first goal in its Denver Plan 2020, a five-year strategic plan, is Great Schools in Every Neighborhood. A “great school” is defined as being green or continued on page 14

Storms Cause Flooding, Destruction: Pages 16-17

Photo credit Stevie Crecilius

It’s Parade Time In Park Hill Get Ready To Celebrate Independence Day With Pomp and Flair

By Justin Bresler 4th of July Parade Organizer

Come one, come all to the 6th annual Park Hill 4th of July Parade! The parade starts at 1:30 p.m. on Saturday, July 4 at 23rd Ave. and Dexter St., and runs all the way to Krameria St. So pull up a blanket and some chairs, and be sure to get there early for a prime spot.

This year’s parade will be full of surprises.

With more than 60 entries, including new

Grit and Luck: Women’s Soccer Takes Center Stage

Page 12

The Signs of Park Hill Are Brick and Etched In Stone

temple (check!!!) and you’ve got the perfect recipe for some Independence Day fun …

Park Hill-style.

Join us afterwards at the Kearney Street Fair for food at Cake Crumbs and other merchants, music from Gracie Blue, kids activities on the sidewalks and more.

For more information, visit the Parade website at ParkHillParade.org. If you’re taking pictures and tweeting at the parade, be sure to use the hashtag, #parkhillparade.

See you on the 4th!

Page 11

Inside This Issue

Page 6

July 2015

ones and old favorites, the event is sure to be a treat for all ages. This year seems to be a year for pairs: two cheer squads, two drum lines (including the Montbello Drumline, making their parade debut), two groups of hula hoopers and even two sets of pageant queens.

Add to that a Denver Public Library tricycle (check), a bushel of electric-powered vehicles (check!), the debut of the Park Hill Marching band (check!!) and a 16-foot tall, hand-pulled replica of a famous Krishna

Membership Chair, GPHC, Inc.

If you are reading this paper you are likely one of 14,000 residents of Greater Park Hill to get a free delivery of information of Park Hill news and events each month.

The ongoing strength of a neighborhood association is through its members. Currently, more than 500 neighbors are paying members of our neighborhood association, and we rely on them to support our efforts.

Your membership touches the lives of the neighborhood in more ways than just the Greater Park Hill News. GPHC, Inc., improves our community’s quality of life through business redevelopment, conformity to zoning codes, environmental health, quality schools, community safety, traffic flow, and beautification. Our food pantry provides ongoing nutrition to hundreds of our residents.

In addition to connecting neighbors with critical resources, we bring them together with the Garden Walk, the 4th of July Parade, and the annual Street Fair & Home Tour.

Many of our newer neighbors may not realize that the American Planning Association previously named Park Hill as “one of the 10 greatest neighborhoods in America.”

It cited Park Hill for “tolerance and openness toward others, progressive integration, diversity, and memorable character.”

We can only continue as a great neighborhood with the support and involvement of the entire community.

GPHC members receive a renewal letter in July or November, depending on when they signed up. Next year we want to send out far more than 500 renewal letters. Help us reach that goal.

Please go to greaterparkhill.org to join (or renew your membership) online. Or cut and fill out the accompanying membership information and send it, along with a check, to GPHC, Inc., 2823 Fairfax Street, Denver, CO, 80207-2748.

With your membership you will also be able to vote at the annual meeting in October. You might also consider more active participation by seeking a position on the GPHC Board of Directors.

Become a Member: The Bottom Line

Annual Membership Levels: Individual/Family - $25; Business/Sustaining $50; Sponsoring - $100; Patron - $250 Name: Address: Membership Level: Please note: If these membership levels are unsuitable, GPHC will gratefully accept a donation for membership dues at a level that is comfortable for you and your family.

Contact Rebecca Born at 303-388-0918 for more information.

Garden Walk A Flowery Kick-Off To Summer

Next GPHC Meeting Thursday, August 6 at 6:30 p.m.

2823 Fairfax St., Denver

This newspaper is made possible through the support of our advertisers and members. If you are not already a member, please consider joining the Greater Park Hill Community, Inc.

‘Just one Little Chomp’ Meet Ann Long, Blockworker of the Month

By Cara DeGette

This Month’s Featured Listings...

5639 Montview Blvd $1,295,000 Gorgeous Contemporary!

Steve LaPorta 303-525-0640

7603 6th Pl $739,900 4 bed, 3 bath, over 3100 SF Ann Torgerson 303-522-5922

416 S Moline St SOLD! For $27,000 over list Kim Tighe 720-840-9791

1893 Vine Street #101 SOLD! Represented Buyer Kathleen Ruby 303-550-3466

1745 Monaco Pkwy SOLD! Represented Buyer Nina Kuhl 303-913-5858

Beautiful Spanish Tudor COMING SOON! Remodeled Roberta Locke 303-355-4492

2222 Eudora St SOLD! For $35,250 over list Nina Kuhl 303-913-5858

591 S Pennsylvania UNDER CONTRACT! 3 bed/2 bath, Wash Park Charles Volk 720-232-1075

1243 Gaylord St #401 SOLD! Cheesman Park Condo Jane McLaughlin 303-829-6553

4025 E 18th Ave SOLD! 4 bed/4 bath—Large lot!

Renee McMichael 303-718-4131

5630 Montview Blvd SOLD! $949,000 Ann Torgerson 303-522-5922

2335 Grape St UNDER CONTRACT! Charming! 3 bed/2 bath Roberta Locke 303-355-4492

2052 Leyden St SOLD! For $25,000 over list Nina Kuhl 303-913-5858

2570 Fairfax St $494,900 Classic Remodeled Bungalow!

Steve LaPorta 303-525-0640

34918 Mustang Trail UNDER CONTRACT! 4 bedroom home on 5 acres Kim Tighe 720-840-9791

Living With You...Working For You...

Ann Long took over as Blockworker Coordinator in 1994. It started – as is the case for how many things happened in Park Hill for so many years – at the request of Marge Gilbert.

“Oh sure, I said I’d do it,” Long says.

It was hard to say no to Gilbert, the Park Hill icon whose dedication to the neighborhood spanned decades. Gilbert fought for equality and school desegregation, and against the noisy old Stapleton Airport. Gilbert was the original Blockworker Coordinator and held the record – 40 years – for being the longest volunteer to deliver the newspaper to her block. She passed away last year at 96.

Long lives just a few blocks from the house Gilbert occupied for 66 years at 29th and Locust.

When Long inherited the job coordinating the general distribution of the Greater Park Hill News, the system was a long way from being computerized. It was a daunting task, making sure 14,000 newspapers are delivered to homes and businesses every month.

“This was during the paper and pencil days,” Long says. The names and addresses and phone numbers of blockworkers – volunteers who distribute the Greater Park Hill Photo by Cara DeGette News all over Park Hill – were kept in a card catalog, on 3X5 index cards. There were between 300 and 500 names on file at any given time.

“If you told me where you lived, I could tell you who your blockworker was,” Long says.

Back in the day, delivering the newspaper was more of a social outing, especially for seniors, Long says. They would take two or three days to do it, stopping for long chats with the neighbors along the way. There would be block wine parties, during which neighbors would move from house to house to socialize, have a glass of wine and some hors d’oeuvres, and move on to the next house.

Park Hill’s blockworker program was also designed to serve as a community network

system, making sure people knew their neighbors and how to best contact one another.

When Long moved to Park Hill, it was just following a summer of ’93 that was particularly violent and tumultuous, with a string of high profile gang-related shootings and deaths. Blockworkers and neighborhood leaders stepped it up, to help people get to know one another and feel safer.

And when neighbors didn’t like something that was happening, they weren’t timid about making their opinions known. Long remembers joining a group of about 20 people who picketed, with signs, a known drug house a couple blocks away from hers.

Eventually, she says, the druggies moved away.

Long held the position for nine years (distribution is now coordinated by Newspaper Manager Melissa Davis).

But Long is still a blockworker, and delivers the newspaper every month to one block – her own. She’s seen plenty, during all these years out delivering. Once, she got bit by a dog. Long insists it wasn’t so bad – he was an old and sick dog and just got one chomp of her leg. She got it cleaned and the dog’s mortified owner sent her a big bouquet of flowers. Long was as good as new.

What made her the maddest in all these years was the woman who answered a knock on the door with a request: Would Long please stop leaving a copy of the Greater Park Hill News at her door every month? “[The woman] said, ‘I get the New York Times and the Washington Post, and I don’t need it,’ ” Long says. “I was really hurt. Here she was, in touch with the world, but didn’t care about her own neighborhood.”

BLoCK

WoRKeR oF The MonTh

Note: Is your blockworker as phenomenal as Ann Long? Nominate yours for a blockworker of the month profile by sending details to editor@greaterparkhill.org. Are you interested in becoming a blockworker and delivering newspapers to your neighborhood each month? Contact newspaper manager Melissa Davis at newspaper@ greaterparkhill.org.

The 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.

Renee BurgerNina Kuhl McMichael 303-913-5858 303-718-4131

Steve LaPorta Roberta Locke Jane McLaughlin 303-525-0640 303-355-4492 303-829-6553 Cara DeGette Editor

Melissa Davis Manager

Leif Cedar Advertising Sales

Tommy Kubitsky Art Director

The Greater Park Hill News is published by Greater Park Hill Community, Inc. (GPHC) on the 1st of each month. Greater Park Hill Community, Inc. makes no warranties and assumes no responsibility for the accuracy of the information contained herein. The opinions expressed in articles are not necessarily the opinions of GPHC. GPHC does not necessarily endorse the companies, products or services advertised in The Greater Park Hill News unless specifically stated. GPHC reserves the right to run any advertisement.

Kathleen Ruby Kim Tighe John Neu Ann Torgerson Charles E. Volk 303-378-4069 303-550-3466 720-840-9791 303-522-5922 720-232-1075

303-713-9000 www.CCPRE.com

Circulation is 14,000 and is distributed in the Park Hill Area by neighborhood volunteers.

The deadline for submissions is the 15th of every month.

For story ideas and submissions or to comment on a story, contact Cara DeGette at editor@greaterparkhill.org or 720-979-4385.

For advertising information, contact ads@greaterparkhill.org.

2823 Fairfax St., Denver, CO 80207 | Voice: 720-287-0442 | newspaper@greaterparkhill.org | Fax: 303-388-0910

greaterparkhill.org | facebook.com/greaterparkhillnews | @parkhillnews

Page 2

The Greater Park Hill News

July 2015

BIRdLand

Expert Real Estate Guidance That You Can Count On

“The Roet Realty Team did an amazing job helping us purchase our new dream home and sell our old home.

They guide clients through the challenging process of buying and selling with great care and compassion.”

Wise Young Owl The Great Horned Owl is also known as a hoot owl, and is the most widely distributed true owl in the Americas.

The eyes of Great Horned owls are amongst the largest and most powerfully acute in the animal kingdom.

As The Nature Conservancy notes, the Great Horned has keen hearing and sharp vision in low light – both adaptations for hunting at night. An owl can not only see what is right in front of it, but can rotate its head a full 270 degrees to see what is behind and around it. This Great Horned Owl was photographed at the Bluff Lake Nature Preserve by Park Hill resident Mark Silverstein.

2247 Kearney St., Denver, CO 80207 303.862.8846 • www.RoetRealty.com

Anastasia Williamson lives and works in Park Hill. She loves this neighborhood for its architectural and cultural diversity. That kind of expertise qualifies her as a true Park Hill resident expert. It’s why Anastasia ranks as one of Park Hill’s most successful Realtors. Clients know her expertise translates into top dollar for their properties.

Park Hill Album er Undract t con

LD SO list e v o ab rice! p

LD! SO Beautiful Craftsman Bungalow.

Original woodwork, beamed ceilings, built-ins. Updated kitchen and baths. Professionally finished basement with mother-in-law option. 4 beds, 3 baths, 2230 finished sq ft, 2 car garage. $489,900

Attention Potential Home Sellers — Inventory is Lower than it’s Been in Years. Thinking of Selling? Now is the Time!

Gorgeous bungalow that perfectly blends modern updates with 1923 character! Spacious living room with wood floors, built-ins and fireplace. 2 beds + office on main, full finished basement. 3 beds, 2 baths, 2,500 fin sq ft. $500,000.

Beautiful updated red brick ranch featuring a sunny open floorplan with gas fireplace, newer windows, updated bath and spacious renovated kitchen plus a finished basement.

3 beds, 1 bath, 1,700 finished sq ft, 1 car garage. $400,000.

Anastasia’s Park Hill SOLDS Speak for Themselves!

3075 Clermont 4114 E. 19th Ave. 1612 Bellaire St. 1607 Bellaire St. 2595 Fairfax St. 1558 Clermont St. 1647 Clermont St. 2816 Dahlia St. 2383 Hudson St. 2821 Dahlia St. 2686 Dexter St. 2248 Holly St. 1901 Cherry St. 2556 Elm St. 2615 Elm St. 2611 Birch St. 2052 Krameria St. 2630 Glencoe St 2877 Cherry St 2341 Ivy St 2847 Clermont

July 2015

2646 Birch St. 2679 Albion St. 1638 Clermont St. 2810 Bellaire St. 2605 Fairfax St. 2677 Ash St. 2560 Birch St. 2681 Cherry St. 2809 Birch St. 2514 Glencoe St. 2652 Fairfax St. 1688 Newport St. 2609 Eudora St. 2800 Birch St. 3060 Ash St. 2810 Olive St 1623 Bellaire St 2037 Krameria 3010 Cherry St 2861 Albion St 3010 Clermont

The Greater Park Hill News

2345 Clermont St. 2070 Birch St. 2229 Birch St. 1775 Monaco Pkwy.

4345 E. 16th Ave. 2680 Ash St. 2861 Birch St. 2854 Cherry St. 2091 Hudson St. 2645 Ash St. 2570 Bellaire St. 2616 Fairfax St. 4326 Batavia Place 2845 Cherry St 2947 Clermont St 3035 Bellaire 2670 Grape 2655 Elm St 1669 Newport 3045 Fairfax 4660 E 16th Ave

er Undract t Con

2817 Albion St. 2684 Fairfax St. 2894 Dexter St. 2855 Ash St. 2665 Forest St. 2530 Bellaire St. 2820 Birch St. 2614 Glencoe St. 2840 Clermont St. 1929 Bellaire St. 1915 Monaco Pkwy.

1544 Leyden St. 2920 Cherry St. 2621 Grape St 2576 Fairfax St 2581 Dahlia 2389 Cherry 2829 Clermont 2877 Cherry 2971 Bellaire 2531 Clermont

4545 E. 29th Ave. 2530 Glencoe St. 2895 Birch St. 2955 Ivy St. 1610 Locust St. 2295 Eudora 3025 Albion 2668 Elm 2936 Albion 2389 Cherry 2654 Elm 2514 Glencoe St. 2065 Hudson St. 2845 Cherry St 1623 Bellaire St 2855 Dahlia 2825 Bellaire 2900 Ash 2894 Birch 2801 Dexter 3593 Monaco

Beautifully renovated, carefully blending modern updates while maintaining the original charm and character! Newer furnace and A/C, new roof and gutters, updated sewer and main water line. 3 beds, 2 baths, 1,777 finished sq ft, 2 car detached garage. $540,000.

LD! SO Beautiful Bungalow with an open and flowing flow plan. Renovated kitchen with slab granite and stainless appliances. Tastefully updated baths. Main floor family room.

Master suite. 3 bedrooms, 2 baths 1900 finished square feet . 1 car garage $518,000

Thinking about selling? Call me! !

LD

SO

Page 3

Behind the Scenes at the Home Tour

Emily Boyle Dishes On Bungalows, Pop-Tops And Architectural Artistry

By Cara DeGette GPHN Editor

All Art, Under the Sun

By Janis Carrasquel Hernández

The sweet and crisp sound of a couple of Spanish guitars, mixed with the noise of people talking while they walk among white tents. Beautiful bangles and earrings, nighttime photography landscapes, glass and iron sculptures, natural lavender beauty products and handmade gluten free pasta.

This was the scene at the annual Park Hill Art Festival on May 30 and 31 on the grounds of the Masonic Lodge at Montview

Boulevard and Dahlia Street The festival this year included more than 60 artists – from painters to photographers, craftspeople turning out ceramics, jewelry, carvings, sculpture, and mixed media in all price ranges.

Alexandra Shamaya, who makes jewelry with natural stones like turquoise and coral, called the festival one with “a really beautiful ambience.”

“It’s a nice community and the people are just lovely.”

Park Hill resident Emily Boyle has been at it for three years now, interviewing homeowners and researching the histories and architecture of the homes on the annual Home Tour. Her resulting stories about and descriptions of the abodes featured on the tour are what you read in the brochures and in the newspaper.

This year Boyle is partnering with another writer, Liz Rutledge. She recently took time to answer a few questions about why she volunteers to help out – and what she loves about Park Hill.

Greater Park Hill News: How did it all get started, writing about the Home Tour homes?

Boyle: I was a returning a favor for a friend. Nina Kuhl, who has supported and encouraged various pursuits of mine over the years, asked me if I would consider vol- Emily Boyle, with her husband Bob and children Ethan, Keria unteering in a marketing/writing and Reilly. Photo courtesy of Emily Boyle capacity for the event. She was a quickly learned that the perks of this gig are committee member, but also the incoming great. I get private tours of the homes well in (2014) committee chair. If anyone else had advance of the Home Tour, meet Park Hill asked, I probably would have declined on neighbors whose homes I’ve admired from the basis that, at the time, I felt stretched afar for years, get to speak at length with the too thin. In addition to my full-time role homeowners and learn far more history and as the mother of three, I was, at the time, details about each home than there is room juggling several part-time roles, including to print in the Greater Park Hill News or freelance writer, yoga instructor, nonprofit Home Tour brochure, and have the priviboard member, and volunteer youth soclege of promoting this very special neighcer coach. But Nina is always stepping up borhood. to help others, and I wanted to help her. I continued on page 14

Park Hill Home Tour & Street Fair Update

By Nina Kuhl Home Tour Committee Chair

Master entertainer Sven Jorgensen, at City Park Ice Cream Social on May 29. Photo by Siobhan Lloyd

Ice Cream and Magic at City Park

By Siobhan Lloyd

Dozens of Denverites descended on City Park Pavilion to enjoy the annual Ice Cream Social on May 29 that was co-hosted by City Park Alliance and Denver Councilman Albus Brooks. A diverse crowd of young and old gathered to eat ice cream from Boulder Ice Cream Company – complete with the whole sundae shebang with sprinkles and chocolate sauce.

They were treated to live performances from the Denver Municipal Jazz Combo as well as Denver Municipal Band – the oldest professional concert band in the United States dating back to the late 1860s. They

were entertained by Sven Jorgensen, whose tricks included juggling torches and bowling pins, and balancing on an oversized ball.

Booths featured hat makers, face painters, political candidates and registered neighborhood organizations. A bubble machine churned out the bubbles.

The Denver Zoo and Denver Museum of Nature & Science sponsored the event and provided interactive educational booths.

People milled about, chatting and socializing while children zipped around in play.

“I love doing this event,” said Jorgensen.

“It really brings the community together and I think that is really important in this day and age. Plus it’s a beautiful setting.”

The 37th Annual Park Hill Home Tour & Street Fair is on the calendar -- Sunday, Sept. 27.

Seven homes will be featured on this year’s tour, including three mid-century homes, two Denver Squares, a Craftsman and a former church.

There are still plenty of opportunities to support the event ranging with Gold Sponsorship at $800 and Silver at $450. Advertising in the Home Tour Brochure is another great way to market your business. A color ad ranges from $175 to $425 depending on size. Please contact Jennifer McCain (jmccain@fairwaymc.com) for sponsorship or advertising opportunities. Information about the event can be found at www.ParkHillHomeTour.org The Street Fair is also held the day of the Home Tour. As of press time, 60 of 100 vendor spaces have already been reserved. Booths start at $35 for non-profits and $100 for businesses. Booth prices increase starting July 15. If interested in additional advertising, then consider being a Street Fair Sponsor for $450. Apply for booths or sponsorship through the Street Fair website at www.ParkHillStreetFair.com.

For information or questions, please contact Nina Kuhl (kuhlnina@yahoo.com) for the Home Tour and Kate Sultan (krsultan@comcast.net) or Lynn Maedel (lynnmaedel@ cacmle.org) for the Street Fair.

Custom Brick Patios • Walkways & Driveways Brick Capping of Stairs • Porches • Slabs Nothing beats the beauty of brick.

Changing your living space can change your lifestyle.

Serving Park Hill Since 1993

Outdoor Enhancements

by Joe Bozzuto 303.778.1428

Page 4

303.388.2255 www.parkhillvet.com 2255 Oneida Street Where Your Pets Matter

The Greater Park Hill News

July 2015

Ta L K o F T h e n e I G h B o R h o o d

Editor’s Note: The following is a synopsis of items that were discussed during the June 4 Greater Park Hill Community monthly meeting. There is no monthly meeting in July.

The next GPHN meeting is on Thursday, August 6 beginning at 6:30 p.m., at the Greater Park Hill Community Room at 2823 Fairfax St. It is free and everyone is welcome.

district 2 Police report

Officer Reyes Trujillo said although many incidents were reported in May, there was a slight reduction of crime north of 28th Ave. Three auto thefts were reported. Three sex offenses were also reported, two of them indecent exposure and an assault on a juvenile by a person of trust. An arrest was made in that case. Three aggravated assaults were reported. There were two robberies, including a carjacking perpetrated by a group of people while the victim was getting things out of her car on Martin Luther King, Jr. Boulevard. There were also four thefts from motor vehicles and five graffiti reports. In Park Hill south of 28th Avenue 12 burglaries were reported. Police have identified a group of eight to 10 people who are suspected to be operating elsewhere in Denver. In addition in South Park Hill, there were 11 reports of theft from motor vehicles. Two business robberies occurred, including one snatch and grab and a convenience store robbery. There were simulated guns in both

cases. There was also a street robbery. The perpetrator was known by the victim and they made an arrest. Trujillo also noted 12 criminal mischiefs were reported, in which car windows have been blasted out with a BB gun. There were two aggravated assaults with firearms. Trujillo said most of the cases are crimes of opportunity and urges neighborhood residents to be aware, not to leave valuables in cars in plain sight. Denver police have also been engaging in intense gang suppression operations as a result of a sharp increase in gang activity this year, which has resulted in 12 homicides.

party on the same block, the 7-11 store that is being built on the corner of Colfax and Monaco, and keeping kids safe while they are traveling from school to after-school programs.

Food Pantry

Last month the food pantry served 92 people, with a third of those utilizing the pantry being under 18. This is because it is the summer and kids aren’t able to get food at school. With help from the Boys and Girls Club, the GPHC is looking into starting a backpack program, which will give a backpack full of food to children in the Park Hill community. Donations being sought are soft items, like bags of rice or a box of beans, really anything that doesn’t come in a can.

Various gPHC, Inc. neighborhood Updates

Following a presentation on gangs by Rev. Leon Kelly and Brother Jeff Farb (see story, page 15), GPHC, Inc. Executive Director Rebecca Born provided updates on numerous issues. Among them: the food pantry, renovation efforts at the commercial block of 28th and Fairfax, an upcoming block

7-11 Store at Colfax and Monaco

Some residents have expressed concerns over the new 7-11 being built on Colfax between Monaco and Magnolia (where a Christmas tree lot used to be), including the impacts of increased traffic and questions about security. The store has applied for a 3.2 liquor license, consistent with the sales of 3.2 beer at most stores.

The neighboring Historic Montclair Community had been circulating petitions to ask beer not be sold, and 7-11 has withdrawn their liquor license application. It’s currently unclear whether the store will reapply for the liquor license. The people in

the Greater Park Hill and surrounding areas will be notified if and when the license is applied for again. The Historic Montclair Association has asked GPHC, Inc. to formally oppose the liquor license.

Block renovation Plans

Dean Brown, who owns several buildings on the block of 28th and Fairfax, has been working with the city’s Office of Economic Development to get some new designs drawn up of the block renovation, which includes the liquor store on the south corner of 28th and Fairfax. Brown’s plans include replacing all the windows of the properties he owns and adding trees and benches to improve the outside areas of the block.

Block Party

The GPHC is looking into hosting a block party in late July or early August. Mayor Michael Hancock will be doing a tour of the neighborhoods before Denver Days that run Aug. 1-9 -- an initiative to help people get to know neighbors and help out their communities.

Safe Child Transportation

There is currently no real safe transportation for Smiley students to travel to the Boys and Girls Club at 33rd and Holly after school. There are several options being discussed, including carpools or possibly acquiring an unused church van to make a few round trips once school gets out beginning next school year. The issue came up during a recent District 2 safety meeting, as many kids do not feel safe walking from school to the club.

East High School students Tuuli Sandvold, at right, and Blue O’Brennan, in the middle, assist a customer at their multi-family yard sale on May 30. Photo by Siobhan Lloyd

one neighbor’s Excess Is Another neighbor’s Treasure More than 150 people signed up to participate in the 3rd annual Park Hill Yard Sale on May 30 – up from approximately 110 homes that were registered last year. Participation was most noticeable in the southern parts of Park Hill, with just a few households holding yard sales north of Martin Luther King, Jr. Boulevard. One of the organizers, Nina Kuhl, was enthusiastic about the rapid growth of the coordinated neighborhood yard sale – which started at 75 the first year of the event. The Greater Park

KIDS-COOK-2! 100 KIDS THAT COOK! Come and Dine with the Kids.

Sample the culinary delights of these young cooks.

Kids-Cook-2 is a cook off for kids between the ages of 7 and 17 Judging will begin at 2:30 pm, so get there early.

Date: Saturday July 25 2015 Time: 11:00 am until 3:00 pm Location: The Family Life Center of New Hope Baptist Church

Hill Community, Inc. and Cherry Creek Properties real estate agents co-sponsor the event, and the website is GPHCYardSale.com. Among the offerings this year: Lots of little tchotchkes, decorations, baby supplies, furniture, clothes, decorations, cookware. Kuhl noted the yard sale is a nice way “to meet your neighbors that you haven’t seen all winter. And it’s a great opportunity to clean up your closets, to make some money and then go shopping.”

-- By Janis Carrasquel Hernández

For more information, please call 303.322.1791 or visit our website www.kids-cook-2.com or www.100kidsthatcook.com.

The event fee is $20.00 for adults and $10.00 kids 7-18 and $5.00 4-7 children under 4 are free. Purchase your tickets in advance at www.100kidsthatcook.com.

This is a fundraising event and all proceeds will benefit Watchcare Academy.

Purchase your ticket now!

The Summer Market is Sizzling!

WE sell Park Hill homes...

with the Wolfe & Epperson Team

3585 Wabash St Stapleton

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2925 Geneva St Stapleton

10378 28th Ave Stapleton

3153 Galena St Stapleton

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5 Bed · 4 Baths · 3.960 Total Fin Sq Ft 4 Upper Beds & Fin Bsmt

WE Have Homes Coming Soon. Contact us today if you need assistance Buying or Selling!

Judy Wolfe & Jay Epperson 303.331.4524 I 303-331-4586 www.parkhillhomes.net July 2015

The Greater Park Hill News

Sold signs follow wherever we go!

Page 5

The Story Behind the Signs of Park Hill Badges of the Area Are Brick and Etched In Stone

By Phil Goodstein

In the 1960s, Park Hill was seeking direction and a new identity. Since its beginnings in the late 19th century, residents simply assumed everybody knew where Park Hill was and that it was the finest, most distinguished part of the city.

Many had started to fear for its future by the late 1950s amidst rumblings over integration. To assure that Park Hill was a welcoming community, while newcomers, especially African-Americans, fit in with the upper-middle-class mores of the area, representatives of neighborhood churches forged the Park Hill Action Committee in 1960. The group merged with the Northeast Park Hill Civic Association to form Greater Park Hill Community in 1970.

At the time some people started to call the neighborhood “Dark Hill” a derogatory reference to the numerous black families moving into the section. The Park Hill Action Committee undertook a wide variety of programs to promote the area and argue for tolerance. Among these efforts were house

tours and wine-tasting parties. Another idea was to brand the area with highly visible signs declaring the neighborhood was Park Hill.

Occasionally, PHAC worked with the Park Hill Improvement Association, a traditional neighborhood group dating from 1910. The latter emphasized the area’s elite character. At times, it urged transforming Park Hill into a veritable gated village, complete with signs declaring “Park Hill.”

While residents bitterly opposed a proposal to help make this a reality by having city inspectors crack down on any and all code violations, the sign idea percolated.

Meanwhile, Colfax National Bank opened in 1962 at 5901 Colfax Ave. It occupied the complex where his Reed–Fennell Auto had been. A former car dealer, James Fennell, was its founding president. The financial institution sought to reap goodwill by working with the neighborhood, particularly when some of its suggested real estate ventures along Colfax clashed with PHAC’s desire to save all possible housing in the neighborhood.

In June 1967, to assure good relations the bank donated funds leading to the construction of large brick markers at the intersections of 17th Avenue and Colorado Boulevard and Montview Boulevard and Colorado Boulevard reading “Park Hill.”

Dale Vaughn Construction built them with supplies from Denver Brick & Pipe Company. Within a few years, a major financier swindled Colfax National, gravely damaging its finances. Next, it suffered from fraud when a new buyer used a forged certificate of deposit to buy the bank. The result was its disappearance by the 1980s.

By then, the signs had become a Park Hill fixture. There was no specific maintenance budget for them. On occasion, individuals have adopted them, seeing that they are cleaned, and the letters are replaced.

Serving as veritable badges of the areas, they have been outposts serving as the gateways into the neighborhood. They have also inspired other Park Hill signs. Park Hill Elementary School, for example, following the trend of other schools in the city, has an arched “Park Hill” sign by the driveway to its parking lot along Fairfax Street.

Then, in the early 21st century, the city redesigned Martin Luther King Boulevard. Once a simple two-lane road on the edge of the community, early plans had called for landscaping it into a grand parkway comparable to 17th Avenue Parkway.

After pondering transforming the road into a freeway, the city installed some medians as it widened the road into six lanes for traffic coming and going to Stapleton Airport. With the relocation of flight operations to Denver International Airport in 1995, traffic volumes decreased.

About 15 years later, the city removed a lane of traffic on each side of the street for parking and bicycle lanes. While initial suggestions of adding

a grand entry arch at Colorado Boulevard never materialized, new landscaping in the early 21st century saw the placing of signs reading “Park Hill” just to the east of Colorado Boulevard and near Poplar Street along Martin Luther King Boulevard.

Etched in stone, they have a somewhat sedate appearance. If nothing else, they have kept residents knowing that they are still in Park Hill as they endlessly drive around the neighborhood.

Phil Goodstein is the author of Park Hill Promise (Denver: New Social Publications, 2012), the comprehensive history of the Greater Park Hill Community. He gives a wide variety of walking tours. Among them, focusing on Park Hill’s neighbor to the south, is a stroll through Montclair on Thursday, August 18, 6–8 p.m. It gathers in front of the Montclair Community Building, 6820 12th Ave. (the southwest corner of 12th Avenue and Oneida Street). The cost is $10.

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July 2015

needed: Canned Fruit, Spinach and More Thanks everyone for your awesome donations!

We are still stocking up for up to 300 backpacks for Park Hill children every week. We still need lots of soft-sided items and items that children can prepare themselves like rice, beans, single serve vegetables, single serve fruits, pasta, soup, etc.

This is an exciting program and we are excited to do it with you, our neighbors! In general pantry needs, we still need canned fruit, spinach, deodorant and wet wipes.

We also welcome any and all back yard

produce and eggs. ‘Tis the season, bring ‘em on.

If you have time during the week, we could always use a hand in the garden or keeping the pantry straight. We also still need some volunteers for the 4th of July Parade and the Sept. 27 Home Tour & Street Fair.

Please contact Rebecca at director@greaterparkhill.org if you have any questions or want to help.

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As Denver Public Schools continues to address the shortage of seats for the growing middle school population in Park Hill, it’s important not to forget the impact of upcoming changes.

Reporting on a recent meeting with Park Hill and Stapleton parents, Lynn Kalinauskas pointed out in the June issue of the newspaper that both scenarios to expand capacity at McAuliffe would require that Venture Prep, also currently housed at the Smiley campus, vacate the premises. (Kalinauskas’s piece, Middle School Fixes an Ongoing Conundrum, can be read online at greaterparkhill.org.)

Although this news caused little stir at the middle-school-focused gathering, the relocation of Venture Prep is a prime consideration for high school families in the area.

On the one hand, students and parents are concerned about losing the convenience of a neighborhood school. On the other, a relocation could mean exciting possibilities for being in a facility that would better meet the needs of the school’s programs and scholars.

Venture Prep was established as a DPS charter school in 2010 to offer high school students a free, rigorous, public school whose mission is to close the achievement gap and prepare all students for college and career success.

The school provides an individualized approach with extra support and academic enrichment for all scholars. All students are required to participate in the school’s robust college planning process, and its unique Shadow Effect program offers opportunities for career exploration. Venture Prep is an ideal option for students who benefit from a tight-knit academic community with small class sizes, intensive academic support and

a focus on college and career.

As the school has matured from a start-up to an established college-prep high school, its successes have proven the effectiveness of its programs. All four graduating classes have achieved 100 percent college acceptance, with students moving onto a variety of institutions ranging from Brown University, to the United International Business School of Barcelona, to Pickens Technical College.

Total scholarship offers have topped the $3 million mark, and the most recent graduating class of 30 students includes a Daniels Scholar, six Denver Scholarship Foundation Scholars, a CSU First Generation Scholar and a Bridge Scholar.

Although students come to the school from across the metropolitan area, a large part of the enrollment is made up of the neighborhood’s diverse population. DPS has indicated its commitment to maintaining Venture Prep High School and finding an appropriate facility for future years, preferably in the near-east Denver region.

Venture Prep looks forward to offering our award-winning program to area high school students for many years to come.

Kayla McGannon Venture Prep Board Chair Editor’s Note: We love your letters, and give preference to those that address issues that have been covered in the newspaper or topics that are Park Hill or Denver-specific.

Join the conversation and make your voices heard. Send letters to editor@greaterparkhill.org, and include your full name, and the neighborhood in which you live. Deadlines are the 15th of each month, for the following month’s issue. Please keep your letters to 400 words or less.

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Community Announcements

Photo by Mark Silverstein

Independence Eve Fireworks At Civic Center Park The annual Independence Eve Celebration in Civic Center Park is Friday, July 3 and features a free patriotic concert, an innovative light show on the Denver City and County Building and a stunning fireworks finale at 8 p.m. The show is free. Lawn seating is available on a first-come, first-served basis; blankets or low-rise concert/beach chairs are encouraged. Attendees are welcome to bring their own picnics; concessions will also be present on-site. Civic Center Park is at Broadway and Colfax downtown, and easily accessible by light rail, bus, bicycle or the 16th Street Free MallRide. Parking is available at nearby surface lots and parking garages as well.

Safe Summer Safe Holly

Everyone is welcome at the Park Hill Reunion, Michael Jackson Tribute and ol’ School 4th of July Celebration on Saturday, July 4, from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. The free all-day celebration and party is for all ages and is at the Holly Area Redevelopment Project, at 33rd and Holly Street. Check out the Battle of the Bands, Car & Motorcycle Show, Resource and Job Fair, Food, Booths, 3 on 3 Basketball Tournament and more. For more info, check out safesummerdenver.com

Cherry Creek Arts Festival

This free, annual outdoor extravaganza is the city’s signature cultural celebration of the visual, performing and culinary arts. The festival runs July 3-5 at Cherry Creek North, from 2nd to 3rd Avenues, on the seven streets between Columbine and Steele streets. Meet and talk with international visual artists, enjoy a wide range of family friendly fun and sample fine cuisine.

Artivity Avenue offers a full block of interactive activities for youngsters. The Cultural Pavilion features music, dance and theater from around the globe. Culinary Avenue has tasty treats and live cooking demonstrations from some of Denver’s most popular eateries.

Colorado Black Arts Festival

The Colorado Black Arts Festival is a free three-day festival that presents an array of African-American arts and cultural delights. This year’s festival is July 10-12 at City Park West, at 17th Avenue and Colorado Boulevard. A wide array of art will be featured, along with live music -- including jazz, hip hop, R&B, and rock ‘n’ roll. This is a family friendly event with programming and activities for the whole family.

Denver Art Museum Free Days

Free Saturdays are a great opportunity to explore Denver’s vibrant arts and culture!

The Denver Art Museum offers free general admission on the first Saturday of each.

And, since the beginning of this year, general admission to the Denver Art Museum is free to all youth ages 18 and under every day, granting more kids access to art than ever before. Upcoming free days are Saturday, July 11, Aug. 1, Sept. 5 & 12 . continued on page 19 July 2015

The Greater Park Hill News

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Eighth graders at Blessed Sacrament Catholic School in Park Hill recently created more than 100 soup bowls in art class, hosted an Empty Bowl Soup Supper, and raised more than $1,200 to buy food for the Greater Park Hill Community Food Pantry and the St. Elizabeth of Hungary Sandwich Line.

“This was the first year we tried this project” says Art Teacher Noelle Jung, “I was not sure how we would do. But if we made $20 it would be worth it to help feed and meet the needs of the hungry, homeless and needy in our community.”

Students created the bowls out of clay and decorated them before firing them in the kiln. Parent and teacher volunteers made the soup, which was served with bread at the fundraising dinner.

The students took the project one step further when they shopped for items that were needed to fill the shelves at the Greater Park

Hill Community Food Pantry. This helped them see how far money goes when you are shopping for necessary, not luxury, items.

Working with the food pantry director, the students then unloaded, sorted, and dated the items before they got the opportunity to actually help stock the shelves.

The time the students spent working on this project counted towards their required 30-plus hours of serving others during their 8th grade year at Blessed Sacrament.

To donate directly to the Greater Park Hill Community Food Bank or to request assistance, call (303) 388-0918.

Established in 1922, Blessed Sacrament Catholic School has been educating students in the greater Park Hill Community of Denver, focusing its mission on Faith, Education and Service. BSCS has an enrollment of 390 Preschool – 8th grade students.

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The Greater Park Hill News

July 2015

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The Colorado Rapids Academy team recently earned a spot in the Colorado Soccer Association’s SuperY League, and won the local Kelvin Norman Memorial Tournament. Front row L-R: Sara Jane Pak, Rose McLish, Katie Loftus, Lesley Vasquez, Maria Romo, Keira Boyle. Back row L-R: Coach Daniel Nestor, Reese Brogden,CM Cameron Wiley, Sloane Hurley, Lulu Fickes, Kate Henry, Charlotte Laden. Photo Credit: Karen Iker MY

A Lot of grit and a Little good Luck

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Women’s Soccer Takes Center Stage

By Bob Boyle From 1941 to 1979, a period in which Brazil’s men won three World Cups, the country’s National Sports Council prohibited women from playing soccer because it was “incompatible with the condition of their nature.”

Today world soccer power Brazil offers a modern example of social and cultural progress on the move, at least where its girls and women playing soccer is concerned.

The FIFA Women’s World Cup Canada 2015 takes place from June 6 through July 5, where the Brazilian Women’s National Soccer Team, led by a player who goes by the name “Marta” (Brazilian soccer players famously identify as a single name).

Marta takes center stage in the tournament as one of the greatest and most decorated players to ever play the game, man or woman. Named FIFA Player of the Year five consecutive times from 2006 - 2010, Marta leads an always entertaining Brazilian team as soccer fans around the world tune in for a showcase of unprecedented talent and heroics on display in six host cities across Canada (Vancouver, Edmonton, Winnipeg, Ottawa, Montreal, Moncton).

Colorful display of willpower

No strangers to big personalities, cultural statements, high expectations and top world talent, the U.S. Women’s National Team, led by 2012 FIFA Player of the Year and Team Captain Abby Wambach, entered the tournament as a favorite to win their group and with a lot of grit and a little good luck, to also win the tournament.

True to the first prediction, the US Women defeated Nigeria 1-0 in front of a crowd of 52,193 on June 16 at BC Place in Vancouver to win Group D and advance to the Round of 16. By press time, the semi-finalists will be scheduled to play on June 30 in Montreal and July 1 in Edmonton.

Whether or not the US women earn a spot in the “International Final Four” and top echelon of women’s soccer, sports fans around the world will have witnessed a colorful display of collective willpower and leadership on the world stage.

Aspiring female athletes around the world -- the future Martas and Abbys of their sport, as well as millions more who just want to see how the big girls run -- play, compete and have fun, are watching closely as 552 players and 24 of the world’s top national teams take the field to represent their countries in a bid to become undisputed World Champions of women’s soccer for the next four years.

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Local youth sports leaders, coaches and teachers are encouraging their players and students to watch the women play, take notes and dream big.

As Colorado Rapids Academy Staff Coach Daniel Nestor put it in a recent post-season pep talk with his team of 11 year-old girls, “You never know what can happen when you dream big. So watch the World Cup games closely and learn from the greats of the game. Because someday that could be you out there.”

Coach Nestor and his Rapids girls recently earned a spot in the Colorado Soccer Associcontinued on page 18

Local Soccer Info and resources • The FIFA 2015 FIFA Women’s World Cup Canada 2015™ runs June 6 to July 5 in six Canadian host cities: Vancouver, British Columbia; Edmonton, Alberta; Winnipeg, Manitoba; Ottawa, Ontario; Montréal, Québec; and Moncton, New Brunswick.

• Get to know the US Women’s National Team in “One Nation. One Team. 23 Stories.”

The short #USWNT videos @ ussoccer.com are heartfelt, funny, honest and inspirational. Which one is your favorite?

• US Women’s National Team #SheBelieves in her Community - 2015. In the weeks leading up to the World Cup the US women launched the campaign #SheBelieves in her Community - 2015 @ ussoccer.com/stories • Colorado Rapids Youth Soccer Club offers a wide range of soccer activities, camps, clinics, programs and expertise. The club works to ensure that all children that wish to play soccer are given an opportunity to play regardless of their family’s financial circumstances. Visit the Rapids website for more info and contact information @ rapidsyouthsoccer.org • 303FUTSAL runs dynamic, high-energy futsal and “street soccer” games, activities and training sessions. All games and activities are designed to improve speed, agility, lateral quickness, coordination, field vision, spatial awareness, athletic creativity and self-expression, all while spurring free play, developing soccer iQ, leadership values, friendly competition and teamwork. Financial assistance, player sponsorships and scholarships available for pre-qualified individuals, groups and community partners.

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The Greater Park Hill News

Page 11

Exploring the gardens of Park Hill.

A Flowery Start To Summer Annual Garden Walk Draws Hundreds Story and photos by Janis Carrasquel Hernández and Siobhan Lloyd

An estimated 500 people meandered through 10 beautiful gardens this year, admiring the handiwork of the green thumbs of Park Hill.

The 15th annual Greater Park Hill Community Garden walk took place on Saturday, June 13. Sponsored by Greater Park Hill Community, Inc., proceeds help maintain operations of the neighbor organization. A committee of volunteers search and select willing gardeners, who spend months tending their gardens for the tour. Artists were onhand to add their creations at each of the designations.

With temperatures hovering around 80 all day, families and friends walked from garden to garden – and many used their bicycles to traverse from garden to garden.

Designated parking spots for bikes in front

of the garden walk homes were packed most of the time. Many of the homes also featured informal “puppy rows” out front -- where pet dogs were parked, waiting patiently together for their owners to tour the gardens and then retrieve them.

The gardens ranged from large estates featuring simple flower gardens, to those more closely resembling a sort of controlled chaos.

Notable among the latter was the garden belonging to Roger Layton and Randy Billinger, at 22nd and Krameria Street, with an explosion of decorations, artwork, with flowers and plants everywhere.

“We’ve been together 17 years,” said Layton. “I come up with all these bizarre things, and then Randy makes it happen.”

In the middle of Layton and Billinger’s garden is a red baby grand piano that has been gutted and converted into a combination waterfall fountain and planters box.

“I saw it online, took a picture of it, and I

called some of the piano companies in town and asked them if they had a baby grand piano that they were going to throw away,” said Layton. “[I said] that I wanted it and they said ‘well that ain’t gonna happen’ -- and then a week later they called and said ‘we have your piano’. They delivered a week later and Randy did all the work on it.”

At another garden, Steve Lissner greeted guests from a red wooden bench in front, answering questions from people inquiring the names of his flowers and his gardening techniques. “The east garden is mostly native Colorado plants,” Lissner noted. With the help of a landscaper, he and his partner Mary Jo Gross planted low maintenance species like black hill spruces, black eyed susans, salvia, blanket flowers and feather reed grass.

Another gardener, Janis Nowlan said “I just thought it would be fun to add a few things that people could discover as they went on the walk around my yard.”

Nowlan hid playful details here and there, including a martini glass that looks like it is spilling martini, and a group of California raisins figurines. “You can hear them almost singing ‘I heard it through the grapevine’, she said, laughing. “And they are, of course, under my grapevine.”

Over in Leslie Herod’s garden, guests were asked to help themselves to bottles of water and invited to take a seat in the shades of her old tall trees.

In addition to taking months to prepare their landscapes, participants this year also had to deal with Colorado’s severe spring weather – and also the fallout from last November’s deep freeze.

“In November, because it was so cold for a few days a lot of the marginal plants froze,” said David Dubas. “They’re coming back though, even through the hail and rainstorms. You just have to wait and let [the plants] do their thing.”

A dog waits for its owner outside one of the gardens.

Volunteers Sally Wolfe and Jane McLaughlin.

Page 12

The Greater Park Hill News

July 2015

Roger Layton and Randy Billinger’s baby grand piano fountain, at 22nd and Krameria.

Gardener Leslie Herod.

David Dubas, in his garden at 22nd and Ivanhoe.

Featured Gardeners and Artists • Gardeners: Steve Lissner and Mary Jo Gross • Artists: Painter Tanis Bula and Photographer Beth Bankhead • Gardeners: David Dubas and Steven O’Brien, Phyllis Dubas • Artists: Painters Heather Denzel and Randy McAnulty • Gardeners: Heather and Connor McCallin • Artists: Painters Kate Maley and Genny Abblett California Raisins in Janis Nowlan’s garden at 22nd and Dexter

• Gardeners: Roger Layton and Randy Billinger • Artist: Painter Francisco Gonzalez.

• Gardeners: Michael Day and Pamela Tarquin • Artist: Painter Calvin Lee • Gardener: Bob Moses • Artists: Painters Carole Buschmann and Peg Meagher • Gardeners: Robert McGough and Mana Amir • Artists: Painter Cheryl St. John and Metal Sculptor James Dixon • Gardener: Janis Nowlan • Artist: Painter Sydney Summers • Gardener: Leslie Herod • Artists: Paper, Becky Richardson and Clay, Trish Gans

Janis Nowlan, in her garden at 20th and Dexter.

July 2015

The Greater Park Hill News

• Gardener: Patty Mead • Artist: Painter Paula Hudson Page 13

Schools, continued from page 1 blue (distinguished). No one disagreed with the need or desire to improve achievement at the school. But the methods used to get there are what have some in an uproar. Others question the motive behind such drastic changes.

Just a few weeks before my interview with the principal, at a May 21 DPS Board meeting, parent and Collaborative School Committee member Danielle McDermott made this statement: “In August, we walked into a different Stedman. Over the course of the next several months, the students, the teachers, and the parents found themselves in an increasingly strained environment.”

Culture clash

When most people hear the term “school culture,” they think of the atmosphere and traditions associated with a school: the pictures hanging in the classrooms, the school’s mascot and colors, its sports teams, the clubs and awards, the way teachers interact with students, a specific focus in the curriculum, the annual performance and ceremonies. It’s the feeling you get when you walk into the building.

“School culture,” however, is a coded word in the education reform movement. Much ink has flowed to define, explain, and codify it. Simply put, it is a driving factor in improving student achievement. New leadership in a school is most often tasked with changing a school’s culture. This is a top-down approach whereby the district or the state pushes systematic new ritual and procedural models.

Indeed, Stedman staff will be participating this summer in a DPS-sponsored “School Culture Academy,” a professional development course focused on re-shaping its school culture.

“They wiped out our school culture,” said one teacher who reached out. “School colors were changed without any input from the staff or students.”

School colors may be a trivial matter but they are symptomatic of a larger problem: sweeping changes that have occurred without any input from its stakeholders.

Ashle Johnson, a parent at Stedman for six years, said the school’s annual huge potluck was discontinued. The traditional selling of tamales by parents and local community members? No longer allowed.

A teacher stated that bi-weekly staff meetings no longer took place, taking away discussion, teacher input and collaboration time. Staff meetings were replaced with long weekly emails coming from the leadership team.

Another teacher theorized that bringing in new leadership from outside Colorado with no ties to the community was a way for the district to dismantle the school, to eventually turn it into an innovation or charter school.

Indeed, discussions about Stedman becoming an innovation bilingual school have already started.

No-nonsense nurturing

A new discipline approach, called no-nonsense nurturing, was instituted to reduce the rate of out-of-school suspensions, which was high at Stedman.

“We’ve had great success with this program and have seen a drastic decrease in outof-school suspensions,” says Peterson. She noted that teachers who had been trained in the approach had better performance

evaluations and students were more focused in class. “It is absolutely our top priority to keep students in class and learning,” she said.

Some teachers and parents, however, do not feel this new method has been successful.

In order to lower the out-of-school suspension, they said extremely disruptive students were forced to stay in the classroom creating an environment that was unhealthy and unproductive for the rest of the students. Teachers also noted that they were discouraged from referring students to the newly hired Restorative Justice Coordinator.

One teacher described the new success as a “false sense of security and a manipulation of numbers.” She noted that students were still fighting, disrespecting teachers and peers but not receiving consequences and potentially leading to more serious consequences.

McDermott described the no-nonsense nurturing at the DPS Board meeting as follows: “I saw a color chart in each classroom displaying each child’s name. If a student displayed disruptive behavior, he’d be demoted down the color chain without an ability to move back up. There were no positive reinforcements set in place. My son began to refer to himself and to others by their daily assigned colors. The color-coding systems are simplistic and are destructive forms of student discipline. They are damaging to self-esteem and they often place teachers in impossible positions.”

Staff feel bullied

An unplanned but particularly egregious event sparked parents and staff to speak out.

Zuton Lucero-Mills, a Stedman staff member, described it to the DPS Board: “On the morning of April 15th, Ms. Kehn was overheard on the school intercom having a conversation with a potential differentiated role candidate. Parents, leaders, teachers, students, staff and community were witness to her calling the staff lazy and worthless.”

The interviewee was subsequently hired to evaluate the teachers in the coming year.

Teachers report feeling demoralized and stressed. They say their personal and family lives are being affected. Those who came forward spoke of a culture of fear at the school whereby they feel they cannot voice their opinion, give suggestions or even speak to parents about their children without having the administration question them. A parent mentioned a teacher whispering during the parent-teacher conference for fear of being heard.

One teacher stated this was a direct assault on teachers. “The churn of veteran teachers and paraprofessionals is intentional,” she said, “and emblematic of Tom Boasberg’s tenure as superintendent [of Denver Public Schools]. They treat teachers as if they are bad, they ride them hard, they are in classrooms evaluating all the time. We’re guilty until proven innocent. We’re vilified and all we do is want to work with children.”

Asked about such a culture, Peterson insists her door is always open and the staff is welcome to come in and discuss any issue anytime.

Vote of no confidence

At the same May Board meeting, LuceroMills announced the results of a vote of noconfidence on the part of the teachers. 60 percent of the teaching staff voted no-confidence in the principal, and 83 percent voted no-confidence in the assistant principal.

Emily Boyle, continued from page 4 GPHN: What is your Park Hill story?

Boyle: My husband Bob and I moved here from Chicago in early 1998. After scouting Denver neighborhoods for only a few weeks, we felt this magnetic pull toward Park Hill and bought our first house together -- a small bungalow -- on the 2000 block of Krameria. We enjoyed seven years in that house, brought a Labrador puppy and two babies home to it, then migrated several blocks west to a Denver square on the 2200 block of Bellaire in order to have more space for more kids. A couple of months later, we discovered we were pregnant with our third child. We frequently visit our old block, but the house we lived in is now a much larger version of what it once was. The family we Page 14

sold to also needed more space and popped the top a couple of years after purchasing it. When my husband and I decided we’d outgrown the house on Krameria, we agreed that we would open our minds to opportunities in other neighborhoods. That never happened. Our house hunt never ventured beyond the Park Hill boundaries. But it’s not necessarily my house I’m in love with. It’s the neighborhood. Almost everything we need and want on a day-to-day basis is right in the neighborhood--markets, restaurants, friends, schools, parks, culture and more.

And we can bike to it all. In fact our three kids attend three different Park Hill Schools, Park Hill Elementary, McAuliffe and Denver School of the Arts, and their commutes

As much as the new leadership has imposed change at Stedman, its staff would like to see some change as well. Better communication for one. Peterson agrees that better communication will be essential to building better relationships next year.

Lack of transparency and proper procedure

If relations were strained between the administration and the staff, they were also very tense at Collaborative School Committee meetings.

As per DPS’ website, Colorado law requires its schools to have a committee that increases accountability and parent involvement in schools. The CSC is that entity.

Its tasks are listed as follows: “This group works with school leaders to provide feedback on important school decisions. These decisions may include ways to improve academic performance, budgets, and the school’s program. The CSC is also responsible for evaluating their [sic] principal on leadership and collaboration.”

The meetings have been described as contentious. The budget agreed upon and voted in last year included funding for a librarian and a technology assistant. But Peterson did not hire a librarian-tech assistant. This led to CSC members voicing their disapproval.

Peterson explained, “When I started in July, we searched until October for a highly qualified person but there were no people at the time in the candidate pool.” Since the school had a high rate of out-of-school suspension, she decided to hire a Restorative Justice Coordinator instead.

This was done with the opposition of CSCmembers who felt that in a school with an 84 percent FRL population, having a library, with access to books, is critical. Same for the technology assistant who was deemed critically important in a year when new PARCC testing would be done online. Not having access to technology on a regular basis might put some students at a disadvantage.

Peterson insists that students still had access to technology and computers within their classrooms and in the computer room with their teachers.

A librarian and technology assistant were hired this spring but the school is again looking for a tech assistant for the coming year.

“We asked how we should go about giving our input for this year’s budget given that last year’s approved budget was not followed,” asked a CSC member. “For all intents and purposes, the CSC has been disbanded,” the member concluded. The CSC has not met since January.

A CSC member concluded, “This course of action is causing many of the parents and community members on the committee to believe they are purposely excluded from the process.”

Letters from the CSC were sent to DPS’ Susana Cordova, Chief of Schools, and Erin McMahon, Instructional Superintendent, in February to express concern over CSC procedures, concern that the budget was not in accordance with Mill Levy Guidelines, specifically relating to physical education, and to ask why certain budgetary items (Assistant Principal, Restorative Justice Coordinator and Playworks Coach) were being described as mandatory by the principal when they were, in actuality, not mandatory.

These were taking away teaching position from the school, leading to an increase in multi-age classrooms, the CSC stated. Superintendent Boasberg was also contacted are generally on foot or by bike.

GPHN: Is writing what you do in real life also? Tell us about your professional life.

Boyle: Journalism (print and broadcast out of college) and marketing (15 years corporate experience, primarily financial services) background before breaking out on my own. Have been freelancing for the past nine years, writing for corporate, startup and nonprofit clients in a wide range of fields/industries. I am most excited and challenged by projects that require me to learn and write about topics with which I’m unfamiliar. The Home Tour is a good example. When I first started writing for the Home Tour, I had no experience with architecture or design. It took a lot of time and research for me to understand, appreciate, and

and District 4 Board member Landri Taylor was copied on the emails.

Under pressure

With a new elementary charter school, Roots, opening nearby on Holly Street by the Boys & Girls Club, Stedman may experience a decrease in its enrollment. Currently it is projected at 327 for the fall, down from 353 for 2014-15. Because school funding is student-based, Stedman has had to adjust its budget. Peterson is hopeful that the enrollment will not decrease and funding will be restored.

Although DPS claims to fully support its struggling schools, positioning a competing school within its enrollment boundary puts even more pressure on Stedman to retain its study body.

The budget crunch means Stedman will reduce its physical education position from full-time to half-time next year. Stedman will also have a higher number of multi-age classrooms next year. Peterson remains positive, stating, “We will be using the opportunity to differentiate and meet students’ needs.”

Because of low enrollment, Stedman already has multi-grade classrooms. For example, the 2nd and 3rd grade were combined this year. Adding to this challenge is the fact that this class had four teachers this past year.

The 4th grade class had seven to 10 teachers, depending on how substitutes are counted.

That is one teacher per month. The lack of stability certainly exacerbated student behavior and taxed teachers.

McDermott addressed the Board members directly: “Letters have been sent. Phone calls have been placed at DPS since at least December and attention has now shifted to new innovation and charter schools opening up when my child’s school continues to struggle.”

Your hope for Stedman

To those who reached out to me for this article, I asked, “What do you want for Stedman?” Most were distressed and wanted the community to know what was happening in the building. They wanted accountability for the school’s new leadership team and for the district.

Ashle Johnson said, “We can’t be cowards, we have to stand up for what’s right.”

Some parents are positive about the changes and the future. Jennifer Meyer noted that some changes came fast and without much communication. But she seems them as positive. “The school leaders have a vision for what the school can be.” She says she loves being able to walk to school, develop relationships with kids and parents and she looks forward to next year.

Another parent felt the new leaders had brought a lot to the school, including art and dance – namely an artist in residency program and a collaboration with Cleo Parker Robinson Dance.

“They want rigor and follow through and they have a clear plan,” the parent noted. “We are definitely in flex and transition but there are great things happening at Stedman.”

Peterson says she is excited for next year.

“Three teachers will be taking on coaching roles and will show that we value teacher leadership. The school will be implementing a parent-teacher home visit program, which will strengthen relationships with families.

We will continue all the data-driven teaching. We will really focus on relationships and do more team-building with our CSC members.” craft descriptions that would do the beautiful and unique homes on the tour justice.

GPHN: What do you love most about the Home Tour and Street Fair?

Boyle: It is a celebration of Park Hill’s history, community and neighbors. When someone opens up their home to thousands of people--most of whom are strangers--it’s the ultimate, most welcoming gesture.

GPHN: What is your all-time favorite home on the Home Tour?

Boyle: 1790 Forest Parkway. It was on the tour a couple of years ago and is now for sale.

The home was designed by Gilbert Charles Jaka, the architect famous for his work on the award-winning Art Deco Cruise Room bar in the Oxford Hotel downtown. The house is architectural artistry at its best.

The Greater Park Hill News

July 2015

Working To reduce gang Violence Rev. Leon Kelly and Brother Jeff Detail Local Efforts During Monthly GPHC Meeting

The Rev. Leon Kelly and Jeff Fard, known as Brother Jeff, delivered a presentation at the June GPHC, Inc. meeting about the work they are doing with different community organizations in Park Hill to reduce gang activity.

Fard noted the gang issue is not a new one in the neighborhood. Gangs endure generation to generation and members seek to attract young members. Outreach programs include former gang members who understand gang dynamics better than anyone.

Fard and Kelly noted several myths and misconceptions about gangs, including that young people join them because of a lack of employment. Many young people join gangs, Kelly said, as replacements for family and become places where they feel they belong and provide a sense of stability and validation. Many join up when they are just 11 or 12 years old. Building inter-institutional efforts between community organizations to give children spaces and activities where they can feel safe and cherished is critical, he said.

Fard and Kelly are implementing inter-institutional activities designed to reach atrisk children before they start having troubles with the law and even before they join gangs. One of these programs is “Safe Summer Safe Holly” at 33rd and Holly Street – the former site of many violent gang turf wars. Community groups, including neighborhood associations, faith based organizations, law enforcement, schools, businesses and individuals, have joined to significantly reduce violence there and make it a safe place for children. Other area organizations that have teamed up include the Hiawatha Davis Rec Center, Boys and Girls Club on Holly, Pauline Robinson Library and Hope Center for Adults.

One activity is a “Friday 6 PM,” during which young men and women ages 12 to 17 gather to enjoy free food, games and movies in a safe space. Teens also receive guidance and hear success stories. Fard urged more individuals to develop positive relationships with young people, which lowers the chances that they will join a gang.

For more information about these and other programs go to www.brotherjeff.com and http://opendooryouth.org/ -- By Janis Carrasquel Hernández

Breaking The Cycle Gang Involvement Is A Process, Experts Say

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Relationships, situational, predatory, and psychopathological. Often, in gangs, there Violence, or moreover, the constant threat is a vicious cycle of victim and perpetrator. of violence is a predominant gang behav Gang violence is frequently driven by reior, according to Regina Huerter, Denver’s taliation, perceived dominance in relationCrime Prevention and Control Director. ships, continuing rivalry, and cooperation Huerter says gang violence is a process, with authorities, challenges, and initiation not an impulsive act. “The behavior often rituals. results from a long developing, identifiable “Willingness to do violence makes a trail of conflict disputes and failure. Gang gang,” says Huerter. “There must be a readiviolence involves the individual, the situaness to use deadly force in the name of the tion, and the setting.” gang. Violent behavior solidifies the gang The Gang Reduction against external threats.

Initiative of Denver Too much external (GRID) strives to foster force kills the gang.”

“Willingness to do violence partnerships to curtail Violent action is also makes a gang.” youth and gang vioused to initiate memlence. By intervening bers and enforce rules -- Regina Huerter, Denver’s Crime and redirecting those specific to the gang, Prevention and Control Director at-risk youths toward such as use of drugs more pro-social activithat are sold or witness ties and skills, GRID intimidation. The realtries to deter and sustain potential gang ity of gang activity, according to Huerter, is members through employment, school, violence, rituals, prison, and the ever-prescommunity, services, and family. ent threat of death.

Huerter says the primary goals are to Gang behavior is also based on the ecoreduce repeat offenses and clamp down on nomics of drugs, guns, clothing, games, and violent gang crime in targeted neighborparticular types of music. hoods. The program is aimed primarily at There are limited options for getting out chronic offenders, active gang members, of a gang, says Huerter, including death, and youth at risk. prison, or moving on with life. According Young people are sometimes attracted to to professionals who have left gangs, the first gangs because it provides a sense of purpose, step is to firmly believe that getting out is place, and belonging, according to Huerter. possible.

“It is validation for being somebody. The GRID tries to reinforce these options gang world is attractive to our young people through community mobilization, opporbecause it promises power without a sense tunities, social intervention, and suppresof responsibility for how to use that power. sion. Those who want to leave have to focus “Children who have early challenges in on and participate in positive activities, and life, including family dynamics, early loss identify an alternative support system, acand trauma, and who show signs of early cording to Huerter. childhood aggression are particularly vulDave Felice is a member of National Writnerable, especially if they are not engaged ers Union Local 1981, and recent recipient in or successful in a school setting,”she says. of an award from the Society of Professional Huerter, also a professor in the Human Journalists for News Column writing. He is Services Department at Metropolitan State Chair of Greater Park Hill Community, Inc. University, cites the work of researchers and can be reached at chair@greaterparkhNancy Guerra and Patrick Tolan, who have ill.org. identified four types of violent behavior:

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July 2015

The Greater Park Hill News

#1 IN CLEAN Page 15

‘Horrendous’ Floods drench Park Hill Homes and gardens Inadequate Street Drainage Taking A Toll “Ol’ Man River’s gone high, wild and angry.

He’s taken the bottomlands back.”

-- From Big Water Rising, by Tom Russell & Iris Dement The word “bottomlands” is far more evocative than “floodplain.” So, let’s talk about the bottomlands in Greater Park Hill. First, though, I want to share a portion of an email sent to me last month, from one of our fellow residents.

Hi Brian, I live in North Park Hill, 33rd and Olive, and my street is plagued with horrendous street flooding due to the inadequate street drains. The water comes back out of the surrounding drains and heads toward my house, which unfortunately is at the lowest point of Olive.

The street flooding wasn’t disclosed

to me when I bought the house, my first house, so this has been a complete nightmare. A month after I moved in, a storm came through town. I was unaware of the flooding and therefore my roommate’s car was parked out front. It flooded. Almost $10,000 in water damage to her car. I shouldn’t have an anxiety attack every time I see storm clouds rolling over the mountains.

My next-door neighbor who has lived in his house since 1971 stated the streets have been flooding since then! A few neighbors put up retaining walls in hopes of keeping the water away from their homes. Sunday’s storm sent water right over their walls.

Several years ago, on a relief trip with a group of students from Colorado College, helping with post-Katrina damage in Bi-

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Flooding at 33rd and Olive is a routine occurrence. Photo by Jeanne Schulze

loxi, MS, I learned very graphically about how deeply personal flood loss can be. I am shifting my emphasis in this column for the next few months to share with you where the places are in Park Hill that you shouldn’t park your car, if the forecast calls for heavy rain.

My guide is the set of maps showing 1% chance (aka the 100-year) flood depths for various watersheds in the city, maps, which are part of the city’s 2014 Storm Drainage Master Plan but are not part of the Flood Insurance Studies administered by FEMA. I am starting this effort in Northeast Park Hill, and then moving farther south each subsequent month.

There are just too many places in Greater Park Hill to list them all in one month’s column.

Northeast Park Hill includes all of the area between Colorado Boulevard and Quebec Street that lies north of Martin Luther King, Jr. Boulevard, extending beyond I-70 to the northern city limits.

Three primary flow paths run through Northeast Park Hill, and two of them eventually join in the area immediately north and south of I-70, between Colorado Boulevard and Holly Street. The third flow path generally lies farther west and south of the other two, crossing I-70 around Steele Street.

There are serious bottomland issues north of Smith Road and south of I-70, between Colorado Boulevard and Holly Street, as well as north of I-70, especially between Dahlia Street and Vasquez Boulevard.

North of 38th Avenue it is largely industrial, and immediately west of Quebec Street it is largely commercial. North of 35th Avenue and west of Dahlia Street is the Park Hill Golf Course. Let’s concentrate on the remaining area north of MLK Boulevard, south of 38th Avenue from Dahlia Street to just past Pontiac Street, and south of 35th Avenue from Colorado Boulevard to Dahlia Street.

(continues north of 38th Avenue) • 33rd Avenue near Newport Street • 6600 block and 6700 block of 35th Avenue • 6500 block and 6600 block of 36th Avenue • Eastern half of 6400 block of 38th Avenue The highest terrain sending stormwater down the West Branch of the Upper Park Hill Basin is near the Richthofen Castle, at about 12th Avenue and Pontiac Street, in the Montclair neighborhood.

Blocks Where West Branch of Upper Park Hill Basin May Exceed 1.5 Feet of Flood Depth During A 1% Event

• 3200 block of Ivy Street • Ivy Street immediately north and immediately south of 35th Avenue • Park east of Recreation Center • 3500 block of Ivanhoe Street • 3500 block and 3600 block of Holly Street (continues all the way along Holly Street from 38th Avenue to north side District 2 Denver Police Station) • Eastern half of 5700 block of MLK Boulevard • 33rd Avenue immediately east and immediately west of Ivanhoe Street • 5600 block and 5700 block of 35th Avenue

ResToRInG ouR WaTeRsheds BRIan hyde

Blocks Where East Branch of Upper Park Hill Basin May Exceed 1.5 Feet of Flood Depth During A 1% Event

• South half of 3300 block of Olive Street (and alley between Olive and Pontiac Streets) • Portions of 3200 and 3300 blocks of Newport Street • 3500 block of Niagara Street • Northern portion of 3500 block and southern portion of 3600 block of Magnolia Street • Various portions of Monaco Street Parkway from MLK Boulevard to 38th Avenue, especially north of 36th Avenue

The stormwater affecting the Lower Park Hill Basin may from as far away as 17th Avenue Parkway between Leyden Street and Krameria Street, demonstrating that some basin divides are rather mundane looking.

Blocks Where Lower Park Hill Basin May Exceed 1.5 Feet of Flood Depth During A 1% Event

• 3200 block, 3300 block and 3400 block of Elm Street • Eudora Street from MLK Boulevard to 38th Avenue • 3600 block of Dahlia Street • 4800 block and 4900 block of MLK Boulevard • 4800 block and 4900 block of E. Thrill Place • Eastern half of 4800 block of 35th Avenue • 4800 block of 38th Avenue Next month I’ll look at flow paths in North Park Hill. Let me know if you’d be interested in walking your watershed to get to know it (and maybe to meet some of your watershed neighbors).

Brian Hyde is an expert in floodplain management and stream restoration. He wants your feedback at westerly_connect_brian@ comcast.net or 720-939-6039.

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The Greater Park Hill News

July 2015

Photo by Siobhan Lloyd

Jessica Yvanoff cleaning up at 15th and Dahlia. Photo by Siobhan Lloyd

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Heavy rains and hail inundated Park Hill in June, wiping out gardens, uprooting trees and flooding streets and homes.

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The Greater Park Hill News

Local. Trusted. Since 1934.

Page 17

Going Crazy in Park Hill

The other day found me engaged in my fuse clean up. Leash laws are mandatory undaily ritual of lawn contemplation. I was of less you are special and have a well-trained course focused on this year’s pattern of bald dog – then you are entitled to ignore it. spots. A man should be able to handle his These stresses can bring out the crazy in own lawn, darn it! us all, but for me the most recent bit of luThe words of our 16th President came nacy involves the having and maintaining to mind “Most folks are as happy as they of the backyard “water feature.” make up their minds to be.”

This particular fountain I reflected on how true that was such a bargain, espewas and in a flash I altered it cially when measured against to “You’re about as crazy as the price of potatoes. I think you want to make yourself!”

Neil Funsch we paid $150 for it at 50 cents I considered this as my per pound. This concrete tank eyes fed data to somewhere obstacle, which would look at in my brain concerning the home on the Maginot Line, For me the most recent resembles a cross between bumper crop of bindweed it was recording. bit of lunacy involves the an Aztec Pyramid and the Having grown up in the having and maintaining Washington Monument, Midwest, most summers complete with reflecting of the backyard “water pool, like something Nikita were devoted to keeping the lawns in check … not Khrushchev would have in feature.” of dragging them into exishis Kremlin garden. tence and then providing ongoing life supSporting a jaunty Soviet grey color port. scheme and an art deco square shape, it is Could it be that I was getting obsessive? topped off by a concrete, porkpie hat. It’s Probably, OK, certainly. But in Park Hill heavy enough to give one cause for sober what threats could there be that would reflection and perhaps a silent prayer, prior pose a threat to one’s sanity? It is after all a to lifting. Imagine one of those Olympic very nice and sought after neighborhood. weight lifters chalking up before their squat.

Surprisingly, several candidates came imOnce wrestled into place with the petulant mediately to mind. assistance of ramps, pulleys and conscript The threats were of three kinds: those labor, which would do a Pharaoh proud, it presented by nature, those created by urban does produce a surprisingly pleasant and civilization and those invented by us, men melodious gurgling. It constitutes the cenand women. terpiece of our garden retreat.

The terrors of nature include bugs that Besides the usual travails of dead leaves eat your prized plants and never even conclogging the capricious pump, aging tubsider touching your dandelions, nearly eving and quixotic wiring, we soldiered on ery aspect of gardening, squirrels and asfor the last six years. But last fall Mother sorted varmints that eat and gnaw things Nature dealt us a crippling blow with the you rather they didn’t, and big old beautiful early hard freeze. With an icy ease the watrees that have to go. ter collecting tank was not just cracked but Civilization’s challenges include potholes split clean through, producing a 300-pound along most of your essential routes and tombstone. Patching, caulking and swearmake one wonder if some sort of spoils ing gave rise to a hope for a solution. All system is working overtime behind the those having failed, they can now be elimiscenes to thwart the paving of your street, nated as potential fixes … although I haven’t Colorado Boulevard traffic … when will quit given up on the swearing bit. we reach the new normal here? Also, how My last attempt at caulking can be long should I plan to get to Colorado and summed up in my beloved’s question of, Interstate 25? Why is recycling pickup day why is the water in the fountain so milky? the same as street sweeping ticket day? And, I guess I hadn’t let the caulk cure for long don’t roll through stop signs, especially on enough in the spring’s wet weather.

26th Avenue.

As my deadline for this article passes, we Now for the real doozies. What we (I) have yet to bring down the curtain on our make up about how things should be. Little water feature drama. I’ll be back at it this rules about who should park in front of weekend. In the meantime, stay sane. whose home. Should your guest park in the Neil Funsch has been a mortgage broker for shady part in front of my house? Is it OK to 18 years, the last five in Park Hill. He can have a dandelion farm and distribution cenbe reached at 303-229-2684 or neil.funsch@ ter in my front yard? Barking dogs and regmail.com.

At Home

Soccer, cont. from page 11 ation’s Super League and won the local Kelvin Norman Memorial Tournament on May 31 (see team photo). But more important than the results is the progress and improvement the group made as a team and as individuals committed to improving their game over the past year. Coach Nestor is clear about his player development priorities on this point.

“We wouldn’t necessarily say a whole lot to the kids on a regular basis about trying to reach the pinnacle of the game. Our focus day in and day out is all about enjoyment of the game while learning and becoming better soccer players and ideally young leaders,” he says.

“The soccer experience can play a significant role in helping the girls shape positive outcomes and futures for themselves, whether they become top level soccer players or apply lessons learned on the soccer field to whatever path they choose in life, school or career down the road.”

Page 18

As a gender-neutral and relatively low cost sport, soccer is a great way for girls to get engaged with sports and there are many local options. As any responsible youth soccer coach will tell you, all you need is a ball, a little imagination and the will to play.

And just try telling any modern American, Mexican, Brazilian, Chinese or Nigerian girl that soccer is “incompatible with the condition of their nature.” You might just end up picking a soccer ball out of the back of your net, or for that matter, eating it for lunch.

Bob Boyle is a Park Hill resident, dad, soccer coach, youth sports advocate and lifelong student-athlete. Watch for more local spotlights on youth sports in future issues.

Submit ideas for spotlights, listings and resources from local youth sports and wellness advocates. All feedback, insight, questions and story ideas welcome and appreciated via email at reboyle7@gmail.com.

GPHC, Inc: Who We Are, What We Do

The Mission and The Officers of Greater Park Hill Community, Inc.

The 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.

The Greater Park Hill Community board is comprised of volunteer representatives from the 10 districts within the neighborhood and at-large representatives. They are elected during the September annual meeting of the GPHC. The following are current board members, and their best contacts.

Many representatives prefer to be contacted through the main office – at 303-388-0918 or info@greaterparkhill.org.

If you have an issue you’d like to discuss about the neighborhood, contact your board representative. For those board members who don’t have a phone or email contact in the list at right, leave a message at the main number and it will be forwarded to your elected representative by GPHC Executive Director Rebecca Born.

The GPHC office is at 2823 Fairfax St., and Ms. Born’s regular office hours are MondayThursday from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. She can also be reached at 303-388-0918 or email director@greaterparkhill.org. Biographical information about your district and atlarge representatives can be read online at greaterparkhill.org/about/.

• Board Chair Dave Felice: chair@gphc.org • Chair-Elect Tracey MacDermott • Secretary and Zoning/Property Use Chair Bernadette Kelly • District 1 Representative Roger Kilgore • District 2 Representative Ryan T. Hunter • District 3 Representative Heather Shockey • District 4 Representative: Vacant • District 5 Representative & Treasurer Bob Homiak • District 6 Representative James King • District 7 Representative Brian Rodeno • District 8 Representative: Vacant • District 9 Representative Veronica D’Annibale: gphcdistrict9rep@gmail.com • District 10 Representative Lyle Hansen • At-Large Board Member Lisa Clark • At-Large Board Member Patrick Quinn: misterpdq@yahoo.com • At-Large & Community Planning Chair Getabecha “Gete” Mekonnen • At-Large & Building Services Chair Louis Plachowski: lplachowski@gmail.com • At-Large Member Keith Brown • At-Large Member Thomas “Tommy” Gilhooly • Community Safety Chair Geneva Goldsby: • Education Chair Lynn Kalinauskas • Public Information Committee Chair Melissa Davis: newspaper@greaterparkhill. org

The Greater Park Hill News

July 2015

1,000 Pounds of Food

By Rebecca R. Born Executive Director, GPHC, Inc.

I am continually amazed and humbled by the outpouring of support and generosity this neighborhood provides.

We had more than 1,000 pounds of food donated last month. We have recently begun partnering with Denver Food Rescue to receive produce and other fresh items every week from stores such as Sprouts, Whole Foods, and Trader Joe’s.

We have begun experimenting with offering our fresh food Farmer’s stand-style out on the sidewalks on Mondays. In the first week alone of this experiment we had 20 Individual and Family Memberships • Tessie Aggabao • John A. Eckstein • Diane Dash • William Lakers • Linda Weems • Beth Wright

Sponsoring Membership • Oliver Wolcott Volunteers

• Barb Armandariz • Rob Carmody • Janis Carrasquel • Barb Cavender • Luke Cincotta • Veronica D’Annibale • Tia DelPonte • Claudia Fields • Tas Frashure • Janina Gotlin • Trevor Hayes

walkthrough clients and signed up four new households. Thanks for all your incredible and hard work!

A huge thank you to the Greater Park Hill neighbors listed below, who joined or renewed during May and June. We are able to continue to serve our community because of your support and dedication.

If you are interested in becoming a member of Greater Park Hill Community, Inc. and/ or want more information about the vast possibilities of what that means, contact GPHC Executive Director Rebecca Born at 303-388-0918 or email director@greaterparkhill.org

• Lola Hershberger • Jennifer Horsman • Maybelline Keys • Siobhan Lloyd • Ann Long • Rich McClinktock • Dan McCormack • Sabora Mowen • Helen Quinn • Allison Rabinoff • Becky Richardson • Mary Salsich • Sue Weinstein

All of our dedicated Blockworkers A special thanks to the incredible team of volunteers who pulled off another incredible Garden Walk!

Donations for the Food Pantry

• Lola Hershberger • Mary Ocampo • Geri Reinardy • Suzanne Sullivan • Denise Washington • Tom Weigs • Jewell Weigs • Chris Wester • Howard Willis • Reed Wolff • Acme at Union Station • Blessed Sacrament Catholic Church • Cure d’ Ars Catholic Church • Denver Food Rescue • Food Bank of the Rockies • Messiah Church • Montview Presbyterian Church • Park Hill Congregational • Park Hill United Methodist • Queen City AARP

Community Announcements, continued from page 9 Summer Jazz In City Park The 2015 City Park Jazz Concert Season has kicked off and offers a great lineup of free Sunday concerts in the park. The collection of local musicians in this year’s lineup crosses cultures, styles and genres in a way that reflects the musical and cultural diversity of Denver. Shows are every Sunday, from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m., rain or shine. Here’s the lineup for July and August: Sunday, July 5, The Messers (groove and soul-saturated sound -- The Messers ain’t messin’ around); July 12 - Eric Trujillo and the Mambotet (a Latin jazz super band featuring masterful improvisation and Latin rhythms); July 19 Colorado Conservatory for the Jazz Arts (dedicated to empowering youth to creatively express themselves through the language of jazz); July 26 - Lynn Baker Quartet (Lynn Baker on saxophone, Bijoux Barbosa on bass, Eric Gunnison on keyboard, Paul Mullikin on drums); Aug. 2 - Ellyn Rucker Trio with Myra Warren and guest vocalists Wendy Fopeano and Joni Janak; Aug. 9 - The Sam Mayfield Blues Revue (with Sam Mayfield on guitar; Ed “Mr. Wonderful” Wingfield on vocals, Bill Shannon on bass, Karen Cherish on keyboards, Michael Johnson on drums, Jon Braddy on trombone, Steve Illich on trumpet, Toby Hopper on saxophone, with M.C. Jimmy Betts).

Get It Ready For Denver Days

The third annual Denver Days is Aug. 1 to 9. During this week, residents all over the city will be organizing community service projects and holding festive neighborhood July 2015

The Greater Park Hill News

block parties and other social activities to connect neighbors and neighborhoods. The city is waiving block party and park permits and providing street barricades for those who jump on in. Deadlines are as follows: Parks and recreation permit deadline is July 17; Block Party permit deadline is July 17; Office of Special Events deadline is June 26.

Use this link to register your event: denvergov.org/mayor/MayorsOffice/ ProgramsInitiatives/DenverDays/tabid/444458/Default.aspx

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37 TH ANNUAL

Park Hill HOME TOUR & STREET FAIR

Sunday, September 27th 11 am – 5 pm Save the Date for the 2015 Home Tour & Street Fair Vendor Booths, Sponsorships and Advertising are still available.

To register go to www.parkhillstreetfair.com For information visit us at parkhillhometour.org Page 19

aT T h e L I B R a R y

Unraveling Mysteries

by Tara Bannon Williamson Imagine: you have been reading in a charming English garden haloed in dappled sunlight. As you leave the alluring scent of roses and lavender surrounding you to go inside to enjoy a spot of tea, you notice a respectable leather shoe protruding from the hydrangea bushes.

Congratulations! You’ve stumbled into a mystery! Check out these great international mystery TV shows from England, Australia and Canada!

Bletchley Circle – Set in 1952, a few talented and brave women help to solve a murder by breaking codes under the cover of a book club.

Endeavour – A prequel to the popular Inspector Morse Series, this misanthropic detective solves suspenseful and complicated murders in 1960s Oxford.

Inspector Lewis – Murders are no less complex and diabolical in contemporary Oxford, but Inspector Lewis and DS Hathaway are less morose than Morse.

Midsomer Murders – Enjoy all 25 series of Midsomer Murders where the beautiful rural community of Midsomer abounds with mystery and murder.

Miss Fisher’s Murder Mysteries – Based on Kerry Greenwood’s novels set in 1920s Melbourne, Miss Fisher is hands down the jauntiest and most fashionable detective on this list.

Mr. and Mrs. Murder – Amateur sleuths and crime scene clean-up specialists Nicola and Charlie Buchanan solve both murder investigations and couples issues with humor and spunk.

Murdoch Mysteries – Set in Toronto in the late 1800s and early 1900s, Detective Murdoch uses revolutionary science, charm and his talented friends to solve crime with class and dignity.

Rosemary and Thyme – Two gardeners with the uncanny bad luck to continually

stumble into murders keeps this show light, cozy and entertaining.

Scott and Bailey – Two tough and relatable police detectives in Manchester, England use their clever minds to catch the bad guys while each wrestle with their own virtues and vices.

Vera – Brenda Blethyn stars as detective Vera Stanhope who is haunted by her past.

All these great titles and more are available at the library!

Pauline Robinson Library Events

Preschool Storytime|Wednesday, July 1, 10:30 a.m.

Join us for stories, songs, rhymes and fun. Siblings welcome. No registration required.

Thursday, July 16, 2 p.m.

Comedy magician, Connie Elstun, and her live performing bunny, Super Rabbit, star in a family magic show centered around their favorite cartoon rabbit, Bugs Bunny.

Join them on a hysterical history tour of the American comic book heroes of the 1940s.

Plus Super Rabbit can fly. All ages. No registration is required.

Captain Vic presents Madame Curie and Basic Chemistry | Monday, July 20, 2 p.m.

Marie Curie is the only person, male or female, to win the Nobel Peace Prize for both chemistry and physics. Use basic chemistry to create glow in the dark polymer slime! For grades K-12. Limited to 50 participants. No registration is required.

Preschool Storytime | Wednesday, July 22, 10:30 a.m.

Join us for stories, songs, rhymes and fun.

Siblings welcome. No registration required.

Preschool Storytime | Wednesday, July 15, 10:30 a.m.

Join us for stories, songs, rhymes and fun.

Siblings welcome. No registration required.

Super Rabbit and the Hero Hares |

Teen BUILD Club | Monday, July 13, 4:30 p.m. Teens in grades 6-12.

On tap this month: Raised texture painting on canvas.

Tracy Breach: The Tunnels Under Our Feet: Colorado’s Forgotten Hollow Sidewalks | Wednesday, July 15, 6:30 p.m.

Have you ever wanted to go through a trapdoor to see what was behind it? Historian Tracy Beach will introduce you to longlost treasures in her video presentation and book signing.

Superhero Shield | Friday, July 17, 3 p.m.

Stay safe while saving the world by designing your own super shield, for grades K to 5.

Preschool Storytime | Wednesday, July 8, 10:30 a.m.

Join us for stories, songs, rhymes and fun. Siblings welcome. No registration required.

Glitter Tattoos | Tuesday, July 14, 2 p.m.

Enjoy receiving a dazzling, sparkling, waterproof glitter tattoo for summer fun. For grades 6-12. No registration is required.

Open Sewing Lab | Saturday, July 11, 10 a.m.

Bask in distraction-free sewing at our open sewing lab where you can bring any project to work on. Don’t have a machine?

No problem--we will have several on hand for you to use, so grab your supplies and head on over.

Blooming Readers 4th/5th Grade Book Club | Thursday, July 16, 3:30 p.m.

Everything On A Waffle by Polly Horvath Ask at the Reference Desk for a copy of this book. Activity: waffle collages.

Three Best Friends | Monday, July 6, 2 p.m.

Help Suzalloonz tell a story with balloon costumes. Unlikely best friends, Lion, Dog, and Duck need help ridding their town of flies. All ages. No registration is required.

Safari Sally presents Animal Heroes | Tuesday, July 9, 2 p.m.

Learn about the superheroes of the animal world. All ages. No registration required.

superhero wardrobe, for grades K to 5.

Found Object Action Figures | Wednesday, July 22, 2 p.m.

Get creative and put together your own action figure in this recycled object toy hack.

For grades 1-5. Limited to 25 participants.

No registration is required.

The Pauline Robinson Book Club | Saturday, July 25, 12 noon This month’s selection: Brown Girl Dreaming by Jacqueline Woodson; drop-ins are welcome.

Preschool Storytime | Wednesday, July 29, 10:30 a.m.

Join us for stories, songs, rhymes and fun.

Siblings welcome. No registration required.

Zentangle Teddy Bear | Thursday, July 30, 5 p.m.

Use your creative energy to create a oneof-a-kind teddy bear tile using the art of Zentangle. All ages are welcome; children under eight must have an adult present.

Park Hill Library Events

Tuesday Tech Hour | Tuesdays at 12 p.m.

All Ages Storytime | Thursdays at 10:30 a.m.

Book Babies: Early Walkers | Thursdays at 11:15 a.m.

Tales for Twos | Fridays at 10:30 a.m.

Book Babies: Pre-Walkers | Fridays at 11:15 a.m.

Teen Craft | Tuesday, July 7, 4:30 p.m.

Teens in grades 6-12. Join us to make constellation lanterns.

Beginning Backyard Chicken Keeping | Wednesday, July 8, 6:30 p.m.

Are you interested in keeping chickens in your backyard? Bring any questions you may have about backyard chickens.

Superhero Swag | Friday, July 10, 3 p.m.

Make your own cuffs & cape to start your

20

No Strings Attached Book Discussion Group | Saturday, July 18, 11 a.m.

Do you like to talk about books but are too busy to read for a deadline? Do you want to hear about books that other readers have enjoyed? This non-traditional take on book clubs is for you. Read whatever you want and attend whenever you can, no strings attached. Share a recent read, an old favorite, or anything in between.

Genre Chat 2nd/3rd Grade Book Club | Tuesday, July 21, 3:30 p.m.

Read one or both of these graphic novel series: Lunch Lady, Babymouse, or Squish.

Ask at the Reference Desk for a copy of these books. Snack: Twinkies Activity: Lunch Lady Relay Race Teen Advisory Board (TAB) | Tuesday, July 21, 6 p.m.

Teens ages 13 and up.

Park Hill Garden Club | Tuesday, July 21, 6:30 p.m.

Meet with neighborhood gardeners to swap stuff, ideas and tips. Dig up great library resources for those at any skill level.

Cuba: Past, Present, & Future | Wednesday, July 22, 6:30 p.m.

Less than 100 miles from the United States, Cuba remains a mystery to many in the U.S. Join Active Minds for a past, present and future look at our communist neighbor to the south.

Superhero Super Day | Friday, July 24, 3 p.m.

Finish your wardrobe with a beacon and mask, then stay for pictures and activities, for grades K to 5.

Henna Tattoos | Monday, July 27, 4:30 p.m.

Learn about the history of henna and practice drawing henna tattoos. Then have a henna design applied to your hand or arm.

For teens in grades 6-12. *Limited to first 25 teens.

Magic Club | Tuesday, July 28, 6 p.m.

Are you a Teen in grades 6-12? Do you already play Magic: the Gathering, or are interested in learning? Join us one Tuesday a month to play and meet other Teens who are also Magic-Minded.

Mine“crafts” | Friday, July 31, 3 p.m.

Bring your cubical creations into the real world with crafts based on the game Minecraft, for grades 2 to 5.

bringing color to park hill for 20 years complete interior and exterior painting

call (303) 512-8777 Page 20

The Greater Park Hill News

July 2015

KeeP youR neIGhBoRhood sTRonG! Join greater Park Hill Community, Inc.

We have a variety of memberships. All memberships are tax deductible. ___ Individual or Family ($25/year) ___ Business or Sustaining ($50/year)

Mad About Moo Shoo Moo Shoo is a sweet and confident cat who loves food and playtime. He would do best in a welcoming home with no dogs or children, where his human companions will give him time to adjust, and will shower him with love when he’s ready. Moo Shoo is at the Dumb Friends League, 2080 S. Quebec St., and his ID# is 0489085.

To see other furry friends available for adoption, visit dd.org.

Pets & Pot

[ ] New member

___ Sponsoring Member ($100/year) ___ Patron ($250/year) ___ Other

[ ] Membership renewal

If these membership levels are not suitable, GPHC will gratefully accept a donation for membership dues at a level that is comfortable for you and your family.

Name: ________________________________________________________ Business name:_________________________________________________

The Dope About Marijuana and Your Pet

Address & Zip:__________________________________________________

The medical use legalization of marijuana eyes, depressed appetite and decreased wafor humans presents a conundrum for pet ter intake. Other less common side effects owners and veterinarians. And, there aren’t can include a slow heart rate or an accelany easy answers regarding its use for anierated heart rate, agitation, vocalization, mal patients. vomiting, diarrhea, excessive drooling, uriThe two of the biggest concerns are for nary incontinence, seizures, and, in extreme toxicity and for lack of cases, coma or death. substantive research.

The neurotoxic effects However, the largest of marijuana ingestion problem is that marijuana dR. MaRGoT VahRenWaLd begin to show within 30 and its medical products minutes to two hours post are considered a Schedexposure and usually last ule 1 controlled drug by the Drug Enforceabout 12 to 24 hours. However, in obese ment Agency. As such, veterinarians in all pets, the clinical signs can last for several 50 states and U.S. territories are not authodays as the active ingredients are stored in rized to prescribe nor recommend its use as fat and take longer for the body to process a treatment. It is a prosecutable offense that out. would lead to the loss of one’s veterinary liIf your pet has been exposed to marijuacense to practice. na, do not wait for clinical signs to develop, One of our more common toxin concerns but rather get them to the veterinarian as of late has been the ingestion by a pet, ususoon as possible. And, be honest about what ally a dog, of an edible marijuana product. happened; veterinarians need the informaUnlike prescribed medications, which have tion to care for your pet properly and have a standardized concentration, the concenno obligation to report such a poisoning to tration of beneficial active ingredients is not a legal entity. standardized across the board for medical Keep all marijuana – buds, joints, edibles, edibles and tinctures. A Colorado based tinctures, etc. – safely up and away from pets study of veterinary emergency hospitals and children (poisoning is an issue for the noted a 200 percent increase in calls related little ones too). to marijuana intoxication between 2005 and The other side of the controversy – what 2010. use can marijuana and its medical products Marijuana is considered a drug with a have for our veterinary patients – will be dewide margin of safety, but that does not termined in time with research and changes mean it is safe for pets. In a recent case here in dispensing laws. in Colorado, two small dogs died after inThere may be real benefits to using the gesting a highly concentrated medical grade medically active components in marijuana, marijuana butter. Ingestion is not the only particularly if they can be synthesized withroute of toxicity; it can come from inhalaout the “high� giving components. But retion of the smoke, ingestion of the dried member, currently, it is illegal for your vetplant and also from products made with erinarian to recommend treatment with or hashish. prescribe marijuana or its medical/edible The most common effects of marijuana products. intoxication are depression, listlessness, loss Dr. Margot can be reached at parkhillvet. of coordination and balance, vomiting and com low body temperature. You could see dilated

Phone:_____________________(work) ________________________(home) Email: ________________________________________________________

Mail to: GPHC, 2823 Fairfax Street, Denver CO 80207

PaRK hILL VeT

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The Greater Park Hill News

Page 21

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ART GARAGE 6100 E. 23rd Ave., artgaragedenver.com, 303-377-2353 Visit the Art Garage for free maps listing locations and times of studio events.

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3921 Holly St., 2.Dist@denvergov.org, 720913-1000 Commander Calo hosts the District 2 Community Advisory Board’s (2CAB) monthly meetings on the fourth Thursday of every month at 6 p.m. in the D2 Police Station Community Room. dpsk12.org/expo

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.

GPHC

2823 Fairfax St., greaterparkhill.org, 303-388-0918 The GPHC generally holds its monthly meetings on the first Thursdays of the month, except for the months of July and December. The next community meeting is Thursday, Aug. 6 at 6:30 p.m.

It is free and open to all.

HOLLY AREA REDEVELOPMENT PROJECT (HARP) HOPE Center, 3475 Holly St.

HARP holds second Monday monthly meeting at the HOPE Center from 6:15-7:30pm. RSVP required to lsullivan@denverfoundation.org.

www.HARDWOODFLOORSDENVER.com Real wood floors, beauty that lasts a life time...

LIBRARIES

denverlibrary.org See At the Library in this month’s issue for events at the Park Hill and Pauline Robinson Branch Libraries.

MOMTIME AT MONTVIEW

montviewmomtime.wordpress.com MomTime focuses on topics related to parenting, life balance, personal care and community service. Meets the 1st, 3rd and 5th Fridays of each month in Room 305 at Montview Presbyterian, 1980 Dahlia St., from 9:15-11:15am. Breakfast and childcare provided.

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PARK HILL FAMILY BIKE RIDES Find them on Facebook

Family-friendly rides taking place in the warmweather months.

PARK HILL NEW PARENTS GROUP

Park Hill parents group offers playdates, outings, Dad’s Night Out and Mommy Book Club.

greaterparkhill.org/faith

303-871-8377

Occasional warm-weather rides make stops at local watering holes and host rider homes in Park Hill.

meetup.com/Park-Hill-Parents

FAITH COMMUNITY

QUALITY HARDWOOD FLOORS

The NEPHC hosts its monthly meeting on the second Thursdays of the month at 6pm.

PARK HILL CRUISERS

DENVER PUBLIC SCHOOLS

Van Camp’s

D2 Police Station, 3921 Holly St., Michele Wheeler, 720-837-5492

7111 Montview Blvd.

DENVER POLICE DISTRICT 2

LICENSED & INSURED SINCE 1984

NORTHEAST PARK HILL COALITION

NORTHEAST DENVER PARENT SUPPORT GROUP

2600 Leyden, kdot62@comcast.net, 303329-8950 Parents of children with a variety of special needs of all ages support and nurture one another, and share resources and ideas. Third or fourth Friday

PARK HILL PELOTON

parkhillpeloton.org or find them on Facebook A recreational group of road cyclists that roll from Park Hill once or twice a week.

SERTOMA CLUB 303-370-0932

The Greater Park Hill Sertoma Club holds a breakfast meeting every first and third Saturday morning at 8am at the District 2 Police Station, 3921 Holly Street.

SIE FILMCENTER

2510 E. Colfax, denverfilm.org, 303-5953456

Sunshine Food Project sunshinefoodproject.org, 303-321-5231 A non-profit community collaborative seeking to provide healthy and sustainable food systems to Park Hill and surrounding food desert neighborhoods.

TAI CHI PROJECT

taichiproj@earthlink.net, 303-744-7676 Tai Chi classes Thursday mornings in City Park at 7-7:45am planned in conjunction with DMNS.

Tattered Cover Travel Lovers Book Club

The book club meets the 2nd Monday of each month at the Tattered Cover at 2526 E. Colfax Ave.

WALK2CONNECT

www.walk2connect.com Park Hill Sunrise Walking Trips set off every Tuesday morning from Cake Crumbs at 22nd and Kearney at 7 a.m. No cost. Walks are about one hour long, just under 3 miles, and family and dog friendly. For more information, email jonathon@walk2connect.com or call 303-908-0076.

submit your neighborhood events to

editor@greaterparkhill.org

Summer Schedule runs from May 31 to September 6 One Sunday Service at 9:00 am; Nursery available

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Page 22

The Greater Park Hill News

July 2015

GPhn CLassIFIeds drIVIng SCHooL

Street Smart Driving School now enrolling for summer driving lessons, road tests and behind the wheel instruction. Call 720-434-0434 or visit www.StreetSmartDrivingSchools.com Licensed and approved by the Colorado DMV.

gUTTErS

Gutter Cleaning, Window Cleaning and House Cleaning. Call 303-329-8205

HAULIng

Cut Rate Hauling - A trash, clutter, and junk removal service. Estate clean up, eviction clean up, construction debris, etc. Call Ruben today 720-434-8042

HoME SErVICES

Park Hill resident. Install handrails, bathroom grab bars. Repair plaster, drywall, concrete, sticky doors, double hung windows, lift chairs.

Phone/text John 720-998-4526 honeydoright@gmail.com Handyman/ Contractor- Licensed, Insured, Residential, Commercial. All Maintenance items. J&K Enterprises 303-921-3398. No job to small.

R.M. DESIGN/CONSTRUCTION Pro Master Builder, Nationally Known Craftsman. Specializing in Older and Historic Homes. All Phases of Construction/Remodels, Additions, Design.

Structural, Woodwork, Windows, Door Restoration. No Job Too Small. Randall 303-6463461. rmdesignconst.com Need a handyman? Landscaping, fences, electrical, plumbing or painting? Park Hill and Stapleton only. Licensed and insured. $49 per hour, supplies extra. References available.

Call John at 303-333-3468.

LAndSCAPIng

Creating your enchanting outdoor space: design, installation, maintenance, plus fences, sprinkler repair, rototilling, more. Periodic maintenance agreements. Experienced crew.

Call Margerie 303-941-9432. citygardener@ comcast.net , citygardeningdenver.com

LAWn CArE

Aeration - Sod fertilizer - Power rake - Lawn mowing, Rototilling - Hauling - Fence repair or build - Stump removal - Weed control - Lawn mower repair - Shrubbery care - Small trees removed 720-327-9911

MASonrY SErVICES

Masonry Services- Brick, Stone, Concrete, restoration, tuck pointing, chimneys, retaining walls, city sidewalks. Licensed, bonded, and insured. www.thebrickandstoneguy.com References. Call Shawn 303-907-9223

MUSIC LESSonS

Drum lessons. Guaranteed results. Free Introductory lesson. 303-320-0514

PAInTIng

K Paint - Interior Exterior, plaster patch/repair, deck restoration. 3 year warranty Painting Core City Denver over 15 years. Excellent references. Facebook: kpaint Denver, Free Estimate 720-296-2192 or kpaint.ian@gmail. com

Summer iS Here!

Do your double-hung windows open, stay open?

We can fix them & insulate them.

Other Questions? Call David, experienced restorer!

720.550.2786

PLASTEr rEPAIr

THE WALL REBUILDER Interior plaster (and drywall) repair. We repair cracks, holes, water damage, crumbling walls, etc. Specializing in older homes. Dan and Laura Pino 303-6981057

PLUMBIng

JH Edwards Plumbing & Heating Large or small jobs, quality work at fair prices. From repairs to remodeling, bath, kitchen upgrades, & problem solving. Lic & insured. Jim 303883-9030 VAIL PLUMBING & HEATING - The Older Home Specialist. Repair, service, remodel.

Hot water heat. Licensed, insured, guaranteed. 303-329-6042

ProFESSIonAL orgAnIZEr

Would you like a garage makeover? How about your master closet or pantry? Ms. Efficiency will help you transform your cluttered homes – giving you more time to enjoy the important things in life. Call now – Free initial consultation. Amy J. Fisher 303-250-8539 ms_efficiency@hotmail.com www.msefficiency.com

rooFIng

Residential reroofing and repairs, 17 years experience, licensed, bonded, and insured.

Gutter replacement and cleaning. www.accurateroofingandmasonry.com Call Shawn 303-907-9223

SPrInKLErS

Sprinklers & Plumbing - Repair or replace, disposal, toilets, water heaters, faucets, sinks, drain cleaning, sump pump, water pressure regulator. Sprinkler turn on, repair and install. www.vertecservices.com 720-298-0880

To advertise in the Classifieds, contact

Melissa davis 720-287-0442

newspaper@greaterparkhill.org the deadline for submitting a classified ad is the 15th of every month

Louis Plachowski & Bridget Walsh Real Estate Brokers/Owners Louis@DenverWelcomeHome.com 720.425.3768 “Let us put our experience to work for you.”

The Housecall Vet

Call 720-984-4510 drshannonrich.com

Dr. Shannon Rich, BVSc.

Neighbor Owned and Operated Since 1978

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The Greater Park Hill News

Page 23

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hungerfreecolorado.org

Join be well for Twilight Tuesdays on The Green fun, free, familyfriendly fitness LIVE DJ & PRIZES Kick Off-Tuesday June 30, 6:30-7:30p.m.

Orange Theory Fitness –Cardio Circuit Tuesday July 7, 6:30-7:30p.m.

Flo Cindy Flores-ZUMBA! Tuesday July 14, 6:30-7:30p.m.

Urban Survival Fitness-Kick Boxing Tuesday July 21, 6:30-7:30p.m.

Naturally Defined Fitness-Strength & Conditioning Circuit Tuesday July 28, 6:30-7:30p.m.

Jionni Page- Tabata (Cardio) Tuesday August 4, 6:30-7:30p.m.

Camp Gladiator- Fitness Obstacle Course

Founders Green, 7601 East 29th Avenue, Denver, CO 80238 Page 24

For more information: 303-468-3228 or email shudnall@stapletonfoundation.org The Greater Park Hill News

July 2015