All the News About Denver’s Best Residential Community Since 1960 • Volume 60, Issue No. 4 • April 2021
Park Hill Character
Back In The Classroom, This Is The Most Pressing Need
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Good News: $4 Billion For Colorado. Bad News: Voting Rights Under Attack
By Cara DeGette GPHN Editor
At the end of February, Morn Mosley II and five of his siblings decided to take advantage of a big, sloppy, late-winter snow dump. They spent nearly 10 hours building and painting what turned into a 77foot long snow snake — a friendly-looking monster-sized reptile that dominated their front yard at 28th and Olive Street. What happened next is a testament to the potent combination of television, social media, and an insatiable public appetite for, well, giant green reptiles made out of snow. Mosley posted the impressive result of their handiwork on Facebook and Instagram and sent some video to the local TV stations. CBS Denver carried the story (“Snow Snake Slithers Into Denver Front Yard”), and so did 9News (“Family Builds Massive Snow Snake In Denver’s Park Hill Neighborhood.”) The other local stations quickly got in on the action, and when the story hit the newswires, away it went. The British Broadcontinued on page 12
Melvin Mosley poses with the creature.
When Will Park Hill Rec Center Gyms And Pools Open? Don’t Hold Your Breath
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Park Hill Family’s 77-Foot Reptile Dazzles And Stuns Global Audiences
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The Epic Snow Snake That Slithered ‘Round The World
Inside This Issue
Love Your Mother. Improve Your Carbon Footprint Garden Walk Is Ready To Bloom Again On June 13
Upcoming GPHC Meetings Community meetings are currently conducted virtually on the first Thursday of each month. The next meetings are April 1 and May 6 at 6:30 p.m. Link to attend at greaterparkhill.org/ join-us/community-meetings/
it all worth it. You asked, what is the main thing you are looking forward to as the world returns to more of a normal state of being? I think you said it right there. I think we are just looking forward to the world returning to a more normal state of being. I guess the only thing I would add to that is I hope when we do, we all have a little more empathy, appreciation and compassion.
Cake Crumbs Bakery & Cafe Cake Crumbs Owner Katie Magner.
Anytime Fitness trainer Bailey McCoy.
One Tough Year
Local Businesses Reflect On Challenges Of The Last Year, Share Their Hopes For The Road To Normal By Cara DeGette
Katie Magner, owner 2216 Kearney St.; cake-crumbs.com
and Kearney; at 23rd and Dahlia; 28th and Fairfax; Holly Square at 33rd and Holly; GPHN Editor and Oneida Park Center at 23rd and OneiA little more than a year ago, the panda. Dozens of other local businesses line demic was closing in fast. Colorado Gov. the major corridors that mark the boundarJared Polis ordered all restaurants, bars, ies of the neighborhood – including along gyms, salons and spas, performance and Colfax, Colorado Boulevard and music venues, movie theaters, Quebec Street. and casinos closed for nor- There were so many This month, we reached out to mal, public use. What started different ways we had many, asking them to describe as an executive order designed to pivot, sometimes the most challenging and reto last a month ultimately we got a little dizzy. warding hurdles they’ve cleared stretched over many, leaving over the past year, and what they — Amy Barrett, Tables local business owners scramare most looking forward to in bling to readjust and reinvent. the year ahead — as the world Restaurant owners slashed returns to more of a normal state of being. their staff, and switched to take-out. ExerThe following is what several owners had cise classes went online, or went dark. For to say. some — including local grocers, flower stores and some liquor stores — business Oblio’s Pizzeria was booming. Others found their liveliMorgan McKay, owner hoods, practically overnight, bottoming 6115 E. 22nd Ave.; Obliospizza.com out. Park Hill is home to dozens of indepenThere have been many challenges and dently-owned businesses, including at 23rd difficulties: cutting beloved staff, decreased
Oblio’s Owner Morgan McKay, at left, with Lennon Rose, Skye Rose, and Chase and Skye from Paw Patrol. Photo by Lindsay Robert
business, and closing for dine in and canceling all our events and Kids night. We are blown away by the love and support of our community. We are looking forward to opening for dine in and bringing back Kids Night and Princess and Superhero nights! After this crazy year I think all the families could use some fun at our awesome Kids Events.
Tables
Amy Barrett, co-owner 2267 Kearney St.; TablesonKearney.com
The most challenging/difficult [thing] has been just staying in business and keeping everyone safe. There were so many different ways we had to pivot, sometimes we got a little dizzy. Rewarding? The fact that we are still here and our employees are still here — and this could not have been done with out the support of the community. One of the biggest rewards? When a guest says thank you for helping us to feel “normal” and safe with a dinner out in a greenhouse or just a Tables cooked meal at home, it just warms our hearts and makes
Most challenging has been navigating the ever-changing restrictions and their impact on customer behavior. We have lost the rhythm to our business, requiring us to be very nimble and flexible. Our staff has worked their tails off through some periods and had their hours cut through others. The most rewarding hurdle we have overcome is survival. I attribute this to my staff’s dedication and commitment. I also attribute this to our creativity with new introductions like the upright freezer in the shop (take and bake cinnamon rolls, whole quiche, breakfast burritos) and online ordering. Mostly, I am excited to return to gathering. A huge element to Cake Crumbs is our community and providing that community with a gathering space. We continue to see our regulars but we miss the days of them convening together in the shop. Our large community table sits empty most days. Similarly, I miss my friends! I turn 50 this month and I hope that I might have a celebration with them some day.
Nestman Orthodontics
Trent and Emily Nestman 2206 Kearney St.; www.nestmanortho.com
For us, the most challenging aspect of the pandemic was, without question, the uncontinued on page 4