All the News About Denver’s Best Residential Community Since 1960 • Volume 60, Issue No. 12 • December 2021
Reflections on 2021 This Year Of Recovery Has Been One Wild Ride By Cara DeGette GPHN Editor
The year started off with big hopes. A new president who would take the COVID-19 epidemic seriously, a vaccine roll-out that would get the world spinning on kilter again, and allow us all to return to our regular routines. The Jan. 6 insurrection at the U.S. Capitol proved a shocking reality check for many Americans. Ongoing resistance to getting the shot has proven frustrating to public health officials, and have led to yet another scary surge in the circulating virus. But in many ways, the year that is drawing to a close was filled with victories small and large — including the return to inperson learning, in-person events and inperson living. Here’s a look back.
The crowds started heading to the high country, but with the pandemic in high season, some locals weren’t as keen to strap on the skis just yet. A community survey of 788 Colorado skiers found nearly onethird were considering sitting out the 2021 winter.
In a GPHN exclusive, Park Hill Librarian Tara Bannon Williamson described the many ways that public libraries have evolved during the pandemic, including curbside service, virtual programming and improved technology. And, yes, they still have books. Photo by Alicya Tebo
Deborah Baker, owner of Park Hill Yoga. Photo by Tina Haggling
January The year 2020 left many of us feeling a little … bloated. Blame it on closed gyms and, well, lots of snacks, but one thing was certain: Many Park Hillians freely admitted the need to lose their COVID-19 — pounds, that is. Local fitness gurus dished out advice for jump-starting solid workouts to make their New Year’s resolutions a reality. Many of them are also owners of local gyms and fitness centers, and shared their
stories of how they coped during a year when their businesses were closed. The following is sound advice for any time of the year: — Do Burpees, Lunges and Push-ups — Just Keep Moving — Breathe, Move, Walk — Be Kind To Yourself
Working it at Anytime Fitness. Photo courtesy of Mike Jenulis
Early season view from Keystone’s North Peak Gondola on Nov. 28. Photo by Reid Neureiter
February
Columnist Penfield Tate, describing the year 2020 as one of the worst we could have imagined, bids it good riddance. He highlights a list of incoming President Joe Biden’s cabinet and staff, including Deb Haaland, the first Indigenous person appointed Secretary of the Interior, Michael Regan, the first African American to run the Environmental Protection Agency and Janet Yellen, the first woman to serve as Secretary of the Treasury.
In recent years Park Hill’s annual parade to honor Martin Luther King, Jr. has grown to include hundreds of kindergarten, first and second grade students from all four neighborhood schools. The young students gather in Turtle Park and march to Montview Boulevard Presbyterian Church at Montview and Dahlia, where the civil rights leader spoke in 1964. There, on the
Inside This Issue
spilling the beans
PAGE 2
Finding Treasure On Colfax
continued on page 9
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The cover of the 2022 Park Hill Garden Walk calendar.
fertilize, mulch, watering tips and so on to create and maintain a beautiful garden (most gardeners quickly realize their work is not done at the end of the summer.) The calendars are $20, and they measure 12” X 24” when open. Proceeds support the Greater Park Hill Community mission (The Registered Neighborhood Association is a volunteer-based registered neighborhood organization that promotes the character and vibrancy of Park Hill through its resources, information and advocacy, all while preserving the quality of life and the history of the neighborhood through community participation.) The calendars are available at these local area retailers: Ace on the Fax (7100 E. Colfax Ave.), Cake Crumbs Bakery and Café (2216 Kearney St.), Spinelli’s Market (4621 E. 23rd Ave.), Oneida Park Dental Studio (6920 E. 23rd Ave.) and the Park Hill Community Bookstore (4620 E. 23rd. Ave.) You can also purchase them online at
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calendar/fundraiser was such a success they decided to make a tradition of it. The calendar is created specifically for Colorado Front Range gardeners and includes monthly gardening tips and reminders. You’ll know when to plant, prune,
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From right to left, owner Suzi Chierchie, owner’s best friend Sheila Schlegel and employee Jordan Clay on grand opening day of Park Hill Treasures. Photo by Cara DeGette
A Year Of Gardens
Filled with gorgeous photos of gardens featured in this year’s Park Hill Garden Walk, the 2022 Park Hill Garden Walk calendar is on the shelves at several local retailers and also available for purchase online. The volunteers who make the Garden Walk happen every June were inspired to make a calendar in time for the holidays last year, after the 2020 live event was cancelled due to the pandemic. The 12-month
Time To Get Creative: Johnson & Wales Campus Needs A New Name
A Top-10 Wish List For The People Of Denver: Check Out No. 1!
PAGE 5
Park Hillians Kate Hakala, Suzi Chierchie, and Emily Henke-Groves have teamed up to open a multi-vendor retail mall, Park Hill Treasures, in the former bank at 6035 E. Colfax Ave. Their vision is to feature vendors and artists who are focused on sustainable, repurposed and eco-friendly wares that are regional to the Rockies. Around 70 unique Denver and Colorado based vendors are expected to fill the space, including crafters, artisans, local packaged foods and other treasures. “I was looking for a space like this to resell a number of things I had collected over the years and I couldn’t find a location with booth space anywhere in the area,” says Hakala, who is also a Park Hill dentist. In a press release, Henke-Groves, the general manager of Park Hill Treasures, describes the space as “like taking a mini vacation or a walk through the past. I have met so many talented people putting this concept together.” The space celebrated its grand opening the weekend after Thanksgiving. Holiday business hours are from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. seven days a week. The phone number is 720-701-2644.
continued on page 6
Northfield Nighthawks Capture School’s First State Soccer Title Park Hill Character: Shane Sutherland On Equity, Preservation and Common Sense
Thank you
To All Of Our Advertisers. We Couldn’t Do It Without You
Upcoming GPHC Meetings Community meetings are conducted virtually on the first Thursday of each month. The next meeting is Jan. 6 at 6:30 p.m. There is no meeting in December. Link to attend at greaterparkhill.org/ join-us/community-meetings/
Announcements Name That Campus
trent nestman, d.d.S., m.S. park hill'S full-time
OrthOdOntic SpecialiSt 2206 Kearney St., 720-735-9800 www.nestmanortho.com
The Johnson & Wales campus has had many names in its century-plus of existence. The 25-acre campus, at the corner Quebec and Montview, began as the Colorado Women’s College, and later was the home to the University of Denver Law School. Johnson & Wales University, which took over in 2000, shuttered its Denver operation earlier this year. The Urban Land Conservancy, Denver Housing Authority and Denver Public Schools now own and will share the campus with varying programs. They are planning to rename it, and this is where you come in. The committee in charge of renaming the campus is seeking submissions for a new name. The deadline is for submissions is Dec. 31. By February, the committee will submit three options to the current owners and a new name will be selected. The renaming committee is looking for submissions that are named after a person (deceased) who has demonstrated significant civic service and contribution to the area surrounding the campus. They will also consider a name that is derived from symbolic, geographical, cultural, or historical meanings. So put your creative brain to work and submit your top pick at this link: https://forms.gle/5mEghBcYWCgrqi3k8
Ed/Equity To Host Hallett Principal On Dec. 8
153 Oneida Ct U/C! $875,000 Lowry 3 Bd|3 Ba Ann Torgerson
8692 Doane Pl U/C! $575,000 Hampton Heights Roberta Locke
Dominique Jefferson, the principal of Park Hill’s Hallett Academy, is the guest speaker for December’s EdEquity Corner, on Wednesday, Dec. 8 from 7 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. Jefferson will discuss Hallett’s Black Excellence Plan and other equity initiatives at the school. Register at tinyurl.com/EdEquityDec21. EdEquity Corner is held the second Wednesday of every month to provide a forum for neighbors about educational equity and racial justice. It is sponsored by Park Hill Neighbors for Equity in Education (PHNEE), which is a group of parents
5700 Montview Blvd SOLD! $1,494,750 Gorgeous Tudor Steve LaPorta
1597 S Krameria St SOLD! Rep Buyer Virginia Vale Nina Kuhl
2590 S Lafayette St SOLD! Rep Buyer 1940’s Ranch Home Ann Torgerson
2340 W Harvard Ave SOLD! $538,800 Englewood 5 Bd|2 Ba Roberta Locke
1642 Locust St SOLD! $1,449,000 Timeless Tudor 4 Bd Ann Torgerson
920 S Emporia St SOLD! $725,000 4 Bd | Green School Ann Torgerson
who we are
how to find Us Voicemail: 720-287-0442 Email: newspaper@greaterparkhill.org Address: 2823 Fairfax St. Denver, 80207 Website: www.greaterparkhill.org Facebook: facebook.com/greaterparkhillnews Twitter: @parkhillnews
contact us
Nina Kuhl
303-913-5858 Page 2
Steve LaPorta
303-525-0640
Roberta Locke
303-921-5842
Ann Torgerson
303-522-5922
Trash Collection Days Changing In 2022
Denver’s Department of Transportation and Infrastructure (DOTI) announced new routes for its trash, recycling and compost collection services next year. The changes come amid driver shortages and other challenges posed by the ongoing pandemic. Look for DOTI’s Wastewise newsletter in your mailboxes in December that will confirm what day of the week you will set out your carts in the new year. You can also find more information at this link: tinyurl.com/2022TrashSchedule
Notice of City Council Public Hearing For Rezoning
Property Address: 4124 E. 18th Ave. Applicants: Tory and Shae Patnoe Case No.: 2021I-00103 Proposed Action: Rezone from U-SU-C to U-SU-C1 Hearing: Dec. 26 at 5:30 p.m. Notice of Planning Board Public Hearing
Property Address: 3435 Albion St. Applicant: 3435 Albion, LLC Case No.: 2021I-00111 Proposed Action: Rezone from PUD 539 to E-MX-2X Hearing: Dec. 1 at 3 p.m. Note: Greater Park Hill Community., Inc. has formally voted to support this rezoning application. The primary reason for support is that it will allow preservation of the “Robinson House,” a historically relevant structure. The owner will seek Landmark Designation protection for the Robinson House. Property Address: 2567 Albion St. Applicant: Jesse Gross Case No.: 97-2021 Subject: ADU with setback violation Decision: Variance GRANTED
Editor: Cara Degette Manager: Melissa Davis Art Director: Tommy Kubitsky 6115 Dayton St 2894 Holly St SOLD! Rep Buyer SOLD! Rep Buyer New KB Paired Home Classic PH Bungalow Nina Kuhl Steve LaPorta
Greater Park Hill Community, Inc.’s food programs include the Emergency Food Pantry, Weekend Food Program, Free Farm Stand, Thanksgiving Giveaway, and Garden in a Box Giveaway. All of these programs are supported almost entirely from donations from the community. For current needs and for more information about the programs, go to greaterparkhill.org.
Notice of BOA Decision
Dominique Jefferson 1090 Jersey St U/C! $995,000 Amazing Renovation Steve LaPorta
Support Needed For GPHC Food Programs
Public Notices
303-858-8100
1340 Syracuse SOLD! $485,000 Charming 2 Bd Nina Kuhl
and community members working to ensure that all students attending our neighborhood’s elementary schools get a quality education. Its website is PHNEE.org.
Story Tips and Letters to the Editor: Cara DeGette; 720-979-4385, editor@greaterparkhill.org Advertising information: ads@greaterparkhill.org Classified ads: Melissa Davis; 720-287-0442 (VM), newspaper@greaterparkhill.org
Deadline for submissions is the 15th of every month
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. Circulation is 14,000 and is distributed in the Park Hill Area by neighborhood volunteers. The Greater Park Hill Community, Inc., is a volunteerbased 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. 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.
The Greater Park Hill News
December 2021
Birdland | Mark Silverstein
Wishing you a
s y a d i ol ha p p y h
I am thankful to be around friends and family this year and I am incredibly grateful for my clients that have trusted me to help them buy or sell a home in our beautiful neighborhood. May the new year ahead bring you happiness, health, and prosperity.
MARCY EASTMAN Let my experience IMPROVE your experience
720.436.5494 • marcy.eastman@compass.com
Slow, Sweet Melody
The Red-crested Cardinal is a songbird, whistling a slow, sweet melody with notes at high frequencies. Sometimes called the Brazilian Cardinal, these birds are actually more closely related to the family of tanagers than they are to other cardinals. They are native to Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil, Paraguay and Uruguay, and are also a common sight in Puerto Rico and Hawaii, where this photo was taken. Males and females have similar plumage, with bright red heads and crests. This Red-crested Cardinal was photographed by Mark Silverstein.
Compass is a licensed real estate broker and abides by Equal Housing Opportunity laws. All material presented herein is intended for informational purposes only. Information is compiled from sources deemed reliable but is subject to errors, omissions, changes in price, condition, sale, or withdrawal without notice. No statement is made as to accuracy of any description. All measurements and square footages are approximate. This is not intended to solicit property already listed. Nothing herein shall be construed as legal, accounting or other professional advice outside the realm of real estate brokerage.
With every home I sell in Park Hill in 2021, I’ll make a contribution to the Greater Park Hill Community
SOLD ABOVE LIST PRICE
SOLD ABOVE LIST PRICE
UNDER CONTRACT
SOLD ABOVE LIST PRICE
UNDER CONTRACT
2076 Ivanhoe Street • $780,000 3 Bed | 2 Bath | 2,079 SqFt Lovely Storybook Tudor
1840 Monaco Parkway • $1,153,000 5 Beds | 4 Baths | 2,954 SqFt English Tudor
2944 Ash Street • $1,050,000 3 Beds | 3 Baths | 3,632 SqFt Quintessential Two Story
1755 Leyden Street • $925,000 3 Beds | 2 Bath | 2,834 SqFt Storybook Tudor
7220 E. 12th Avenue • $715,000 4 Beds | 3 Baths | 2,037 SqFt Beautifully Renovated Ranch
Anastasia’s Park Hill SOLDS Speak For Themselves! 1649 Bellaire St 1648 Bellaire St 4512 E. 17th Ave 1775 Leyden St 3075 Clermont St 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 2630 Glencoe St 2052 Krameria St 2884 Albion St 2967 Clermont 2886 Cherry 2646 Birch St
December 2021
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 2609 Eudora St 2800 Birch St 3060 Ash St 2810 Olive St 1623 Bellaire St 2037 Krameria St 2084 Forest St 1536 Clermont St 2224 Grape St 2345 Clermont St 2070 Birch St 2865 Albion 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 St 2389 Cherry St 2829 Clermont St 2960 Ash St 2556 Clermont St 2681 Cherry St 4545 E. 29th Ave 2530 Glencoe St 2895 Birch St 2955 Ivy St 1610 Locust St 2575 Clermont St 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 Pl
The Greater Park Hill News
2845 Cherry St 2947 Clermont St 3035 Bellaire St 2670 Grape St 2655 Elm St 1418 Grape St 2680 Ash St 2271 Clermont St 2817 Albion St 2684 Fairfax St 2894 Dexter St 2855 Ash St 3010 Clermont St 2295 Eudora St 3025 Albion St 2668 Elm St 2936 Albion St 2389 Cherry St 2654 Elm St 2514 Glencoe St 2065 Hudson St 2845 Cherry St 1623 Bellaire St 2855 Dahlia St 2825 Bellaire St 2900 Ash St
2681 Clermont St 2829 Ash St 2251 Ash St 2877 Cherry St 2341 Ivy St 2847 Clermont St 3010 Cherry St 2665 Forest St 2517 Elm St 1669 Newport St 3045 Fairfax St 4660 E 16th Ave 2877 Cherry St 2971 Bellaire St 2531 Clermont St 2894 Birch St 2801 Dexter St 3593 Monaco St 2668 Birch St 2664 Cherry St 2032 Holly St 2819 Ivanhoe St 1637 Elm St 2679 Albion St 3610 Magnolia St 1775 Monaco Pkwy
2582 Bellaire St 2233 Holly St 2229 Birch St 2862 Ash St 1855 Cherry St 2637 Eudora St 2542 Ash St 2045 Krameria St 2500 Dahlia St 2943 Birch St 2875 Albion St 2511 Birch St 2349 Forest St 2990 Cherry St 2379 Elm St 2870 Eudora St 2632 Cherry St 1450 Albion St #303 1925 Monaco Pkwy 3050 Bellaire St 2849 Kearney St
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Earth In Crisis | opinion
A World Awakening COP26 Summit: Much More Needs To Be Done by Tracey MacDermott For the GPHN
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GIve the gift of gardening! 2022 calendars featuring images from past Park Hill Garden Walks as well as gardening tips for the Colorado Front Range. Available now at these Park Hill businesses:
Don’t Be Stymied
An Updated List Of Where To Recycle Styrofoam
L
Styrofoam is not allowed in your purple recycling bins, so here’s an update on Atlas and SustainAbility take only where you can — and can’t — take your block Styrofoam (no packaging peanuts blocks and peanuts. or food containers) to be compressed Denver Waste Management no longer into a solid block and recycled into new accepts Styrofoam at its Cherry products. S KUH Creek Recycling Drop-Off off UPS also now accepts Styrofoam T’ of Quebec Street and Cherry at nearby stores — the closest to Creek Drive. And, Alpine Park Hill is 6110 E. Colfax Ave. Recycling is closed. So we’re and at 700 Colorado Blvd. The down to these two local recystores accept packaging peanuts O L too. UPS re-uses block Styrofoam clers: RECYC and packaging peanuts to package 1. Atlas Molded Products, at 5250 shipments. Sherman St. Drop-off hours are Monday through Thursday from 7 Mark Kuhl is an environmental advocate a.m. to 2 p.m. and Friday from 7 a.m. who lives in Park Hill with his family. to noon. Phone is 800-525-8697. His handy tips and news about recycling 2. SustainAbility Hard to Recycle, at 6240 household items appear every month in W. 54th Ave. Drop-off hours are Monthese pages. A directory of his past colday through Thursday from 9 a.m. to 4 umns for recycling everything from paint p.m., and Friday and Saturday from 9 to Styrofoam to shoes is at greaterparkha.m. to 3 p.m. Phone is 303-425-9226. ill.org/sustainability/recycling-directory/.
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Oneida Dental Studio - 6920 E 23rd Ave. Ace on the Fax - 7100 E. Colfax Ave. Cake Crumbs Bakery & Café – 2216 Kearney Street Spinelli’s Market – 4621 E. 23rd Ave. Park Hill Community Bookstore - 4620 E. 23rd Ave.
ONLY
Purchase online at https://parkhillgardenwalk.org/calendar/ for pick up at the Park Hill Community Office located at 2823 Fairfax Street on Mondays and Wednesdays between 9:00 a.m. and 3:00 p.m. Page 4
T
$20
Tracey MacDermott is an at-large member of the board of Greater Park Hill Community, Inc., and immediate past chair. She was trained as a Climate Reality Leader in 2017, and is currently the Statewide Co-Chair of the Climate Reality Project for the 100% Committed Campaign.
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give the gift of coffee this holiday season
Last month the Conference of the Parties (COP26) was held in Glasgow, Scotland over two weeks, resulting in what seems to be a world awakening of the climate emergency. The big goal is to keep warming under 1.5° Celsius (we are already at 1.1°C of warming) with little time to reach it. For this to happen all countries must do more and do it faster. The conference asked countries to produce goals to reduce emissions that help us reach net zero by 2050. That means by then our global community should produce no more greenhouse gases than it is removing. The conference has been billed as the last chance to prevent a global catastrophe. Yet world leaders have not come to an agreement on how to keep within the 1.5°C goal. Even with the pledges that were made during COP26, the world will not be on track to limit warming to this crucial number. The British Broadcasting Corporation reported that the world is headed for 2.4°C warming, noting that the COP26 “has a massive credibility, action and commitment gap.” The BBC also noted that the US and China’s goals to reach net zero have only slightly improved since the Paris Agreement was adopted in 2015. The biggest driver in the gap between the goal of limiting warming and the actual projection is that the plan to achieve these goals is lacking in concrete objectives. Coal became a pawn for negotiation at the conference. India, one of the world’s biggest coal users, insisted on a last-minute change in the agreement from “phase out” coal to “phase down.” Coal is mostly carbon and when burned produces carbon dioxide, a heat trapping gas. India has an opportunity to leap-frog over dirty coal and go straight to renewables. In order for developing nations to phase out coal an influx of money would be required to help them make this transition. Both Japan and Italy committed to increase funding to help countries make the transition. While more than 40 coun-
tries pledged to phase out coal, the U.S. was notably absent. The U.S. and Europe announced a global partnership to cut methane emissions by 30 percent by 2030. The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change estimates that methane is responsible for about half of the 1 degree Celsius net global rise in temperatures since the pre-industrial era. President Joe Biden made methane the centerpiece of his commitments in Glasgow by announcing a new regulation on oil and gas companies. While reducing methane is critical, the world also needs sustained focus on CO2 reduction. Deforestation led the talks, with 130 countries pledging to halt and reverse it. Notably, Brazil signed this agreement. However, as reported by Al Jazeera, Brazil’s deforestation of the rainforest in October rose by 5 percent compared to a year earlier. While we can remain hopeful that Brazil will follow through on its commitment, President Jair Bolsonaro has implemented staffing cuts to its environmental agencies and created roadblocks to environmental law enforcement, making them ineffective in combating illegal logging operations. There was a bit of encouraging news when Jeff Bezos, founder of Amazon, committed $2 billion to help restore natural habitats and restore food systems. As this critical conference came to a close we are still on the brink of a disaster, with no solution to limit global temperatures to under 1.5°C. It is imperative that each of us act now. Get involved with our state and city’s progress on this issue. For 2022, please commit to working to reducing your own climate footprint.
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Text us 720.434.0434 The Greater Park Hill News
December 2021
RAW POLITICS | opinion
The Drumroll, Please A Top-10 Wish List For The People Of Denver By Penfield W. Tate, III
they’re at it, they figure out how to finance it in a manner that is not discriminatory towards the poor and actually works to help As we are getting into the holiday spirit, people get from one point to another in a gifts are coming from expected and unexreasonable time. pected places. One gift that all of us will No. 4: Parents come to their senses and hear more about is the massive infrastrucstop yelling at school boards about mask ture bill recently signed into law by Presiand vaccination mandates. Instead, they dent Joe Biden. Tune in next month for focus on a quality education for their kids more on that. while ensuring their safety, and the safety For now, since it is that time of year, of the teachers we rely upon to educate our let me offer my Top 10 holiday wish list – future generations. proposed gifts to benefit the community. No. 3: The City Council follow CouncilI wish: woman Candi CdeBaca’s lead and actually No. 10: The march toward equity, incluuse its power to amend the next proposed sion and diversity continues with a just vermayoral budget to fund vital needs as dict in the Elijah McClain trial. And, that expressed by the wishes of the people. If communities continue to aggressively recouncil members want to see real change, evaluate how safety is achieved with more the budget is where you make it happen. effective and comprehensive policing in all Why have the political power if you do not neighborhoods, and particuuse it? At the state level, the larly in communities of color. Governor proposes a budget, No. 9: As we continue dealbut the legislature writes the My Number 1 ing with the coronavirus panbudget. demic, we learn to accept the wish is that Mayor No. 2: The City of Denver, fact this is now an endemic. It Michael B. Hancock in recognition of the needs will be part of our lives, and of the residents of Globevembraces the shape policy and relationille, Elyria and Swansea, ships, for the foreseeable fu- desires of the people terminate its drive to put ture. A manageable part, but more public money into the of Denver and . . . redevelopment of the Naa part no less. No. 8: We will continue to tional Western Complex. embrace the virtual meetings Last month’s 2-to-1 defeat of that were once the bane of our existence measure 2E underscores a clear message to and have now proved to be an invaluable focus on redeveloping the neighborhoods part of life. They will forever change exin a fashion consistent with the desires, pectations about the workplace. So let’s needs, and visions of the people in the comrecognize that civilization will not come munity. Hopefully, this will lead to a betto an end if you participate in a meeting or ter partnership between the neighborhoods conference call from the kitchen wearing a and the National Western site. nice top and your pajama bottoms. No. 1: That Mayor Michael B. Hancock No. 7: That the Denver government embraces the desires of the people of Dencomes to realize if they want people to ver and — following the sound advice of visit downtown, they need to make it posthe Parks and Rec Advisory Board, not to sible for them to get into, park in and move mention a 2 -1 margin of support for Initiaaround downtown. The proliferation of tive 301 (and defeat of 302) by a vote of the unused bus-only lanes and bicycle lanes people — instructs the city to purchase the and off-kilter parking spaces has become a Park Hill Golf Course land from the curmaddening maze and has simply left people rent developer and owner. The city can then too angry to go downtown as is. move toward converting it into a regional No. 6: That the City produce a real commulti-use open space and park venue for prehensive plan to affectively address the the people. plight of the unhoused, and Denver’s afAnd … in a show of generosity and apfordable housing crisis. Sweeps, sidewalk preciation to all people of Denver, the deencampments and camping bans are not veloper agrees to sell the Park Hill Golf the answers. Reforming the permitting and Course land to the City — for $1. approval process for shelters, expanding Happy holidays to you and yours. May outdoor contained campsites with comyour wishes come true. munity support and aggressively requiring Penfield W. Tate III is developers to include affordable units in all an attorney in Denver. developments can no longer be delayed. He represented Park Hill No. 5: That all the cities and county govin the Colorado House ernments within the boundaries of the of Representatives from Regional Transportation District sit down 1997 to 2000, and in the with RTD, and once and for all, develop State Senate from 2001 to a comprehensive vision for transit and February 2003. He lives in transportation for the entire region. While Park Hill. For the GPHN
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Page 5
Cont. from page 1 steps of the church, they sing “We Shall Overcome.” The ongoing pandemic made the parade impossible this February. So instead, organizer and Park Hill Elementary teacher Erika Neale cooked up a plan to have students create signs of peace and joy to be displayed throughout the neighborhood. “This event serves as a reminder that we must continue to work on Martin Luther King Jr.’s dream,” Neale noted. “As a community, we must come together to ensure that we work towards dismantling racism. There is still a lot of work to be done, but by educating children there is hope and light that ‘we shall live in peace someday.’ ”
more, cutting back on meat and not idling cars.
Art along the fence at Turtle Park. Photo by Tommy Kubitsky
Centennial Hall, on the Johnson & Wales campus, is on the National Register of Historic Places. File photo
It may be February, but the expected rollout of vaccines has many kids (and parents) thinking about a summer of camps ahead — a most welcome thought, as 2020 was a bust.
Colorado Village Collaborative Executive Director Cole Chandler, with little Seeger, at the Safe Outdoor Space in Uptown. The temporary site was relocated to Park Hill in mid-June. Photo by Cara DeGette
The neighborhood group Save Open Space Denver launches a petition drive for a ballot measure to protect the conservation easement on the Park Hill Golf Course land. The Denver City Council approves the group living ordinance, allowing up to five unrelated adults to live in the same household. The zoning change was not without controversy — activists attempted to repeal the change in November.
March The vaccine rollout is underway, initially for people 65 and older. But getting shots into the arms of hundreds of thousands of Coloradans is proving harder than expected. The state has no centralized system for vaccines, leaving many people finding themselves maneuvering through an online maze, trying to find available appointments. At the Dahlia Campus for Health and Well Being in Park Hill, a planned vaccination clinic for people of color ages 70-plus was inexplicably cancelled by the state, leaving staff scrambling. The East Angels boys basketball team trounced rival Northeast Warriors. The game underscored how radically high school sports has had to adapt in pandemic times, with athletes wearing masks and playing to empty auditoriums.
The Robinson House was briefly threatened with demolition. Photo by Cara DeGette
Peonies, by Tanis Bula, one of the featured artists in this year’s Park Hill Garden Walk.
East senior point guard Michael Jackson tries to avoid having his shot swatted by Far Northeast senior Ahman Brown during East’s Feb. 89-62 home court victory on Feb. 6. Photo by Reid Neureiter
Deep budget cuts in the city’s Parks and Recreation Department inspires Greater Park Hill Community and City Park Friends and Neighbors to mobilize volunteers to plant and maintain the flower beds at City Park.
Marking Earth Day on April 22, GPHC, Inc. Chair Tracey MacDermott reflects on all that is possible to save the planet. Park Hillian Madeleine Senger, an 8th grader at McAuliffe, provides sound advice on how people can reduce their carbon footprints, including making their homes 100 percent energy renewable, planting trees, walking Page 6
May News that the Park Hill United Methodist Church/Temple Micah would host a temporary Safe Outdoor Space for people who are unhoused was met with mixed response. The plan was that up to 50 people would move into the SOS site in the parking lot of the church, at Montview and Glencoe. In a fenced-in enclosure with 24-hour security, they would live in heavy duty tents with electricity, and have access to bathroom facilities, showers, laundry, regular meals and services designed to help them get back on their feet. Many neighbors were welcoming, and signed up to volunteer. A vocal group of opponents, however, sued to try to stop the program in Park Hill. The Denver-based Urban Land Conservancy announced a plan to purchase the 25-acre Johnson & Wales campus at Montview and Quebec and preserve the buildings for community-serving uses, including education and affordable housing and a cooking school. Denver School for the Arts, St. Elizabeth’s School, the Denver Housing Authority, the Urban Land Conservancy, BuCu West/The Kitchen Network and Archway Communities will all be on the campus. Johnson & Wales closed its Denver campus at the end of the 2021 school year.
The Robinson House, believed to be the oldest remaining homes in Park Hill, was briefly threatened with demolition. At the 11th hour a new buyer emerged who was committed to saving the iconic Queen Anne-style house at 35th and Albion Street from the wrecking ball. Hello, Summer Tanager. Photo by Mark Silverstein
June Summer returns, with the promise of migrating birds and the Park Hill Garden Walk.
Lions Head Fountain facing Colfax Avenue, part of the Sullivan Gateway. Photo by Sandy Robnett
April A big, sloppy late winter snow inspired Morn Mosley II and five of his siblings to build a massive 77-foot snow snake in front of their Park Hill home. Images of the snake made the local broadcast news and then bounced around the globe, appearing on stations from the Philippines to Japan, Dubai to Suriname.
Vaccine rollout cheers continue. After a year of cancelled events and fundraisers, Greater Park Hill Community, Inc. tentatively plans to move ahead with the annual neighborhood-wide Yard Sale in May, the Garden Walk in June, the Park Hill Parade on July 4 and the Home Tour and Street Fair in September.
The Park Hill Garden Walk bloomed after a year of pandemic dormancy. Eight gardens were featured this year, highlighting flowers, fishponds and artists working en plein air.
Ongoing safety concerns over traffic sparks a push for the McAuliffe International Safe Routes to School project. The city’s $1.2 million project is designed to improve sidewalks and intersections in Park Hill that are most frequently used by students to get to and from school. Denver planners launch what it calls a “visioning” process for the Park Hill Golf Course land. Critics contend the property, which is protected by a conservation easement, should not be the target of proposed development.
Park Hill is home to dozens of independently-owned businesses — including restaurants, bars, gyms, salons, dentists and other health providers, specialty shops, and performance and music venues. The pandemic meant a tough year for all of them. In April many local entrepreneurs weighed in on the challenges of readjusting and at times reinventing their businesses.
Denver Parks and Recreation unveiled its much-heralded $4.7 million restoration of City Park’s Sullivan Gateway. The grand entry to the park, which faces Colfax Avenue at the East High Esplanade, had fallen into disrepair in recent years. The work included restoring the Lions Head Fountain that faces Colfax Avenue. Columnist Penfield Tate weighs in on the Big Ideas taking shape under the dome, as the legislature scrambled to an end of its 2021 legislative session. Transportation, Insurance and Health Care are all still hot topics.
Melvin Mosley poses with the creature.
Like so many other events, the 2020 East High School prom and after-prom party fell victim to the pandemic. But the much ballyhooed event was back for 2021, and parents of the graduating class went all out creating a carnival to remember. Madeleine Senger, with a big plate of veg- Graduating East seniors play inside giant, inetables. Photo by Joel Senger flatable spheres. Photo by Reid Neureiter
The Greater Park Hill News
December 2021
July
August
The Park Hill Parade returns after a year hiatus. Parade founder and organizer Justin Bresler highlights the chance to revisit the mission of the annual parade as a community-building event. In the aftermath of the Black Lives Matter Movement, the parade, held on July 4, can be an opportunity for local leaders to revisit the meaning of freedom and reemphasize what it means to be One Park Hill.
The years-long controversy over the pocket-sized public park at 29th and Fairfax continues. The park, in the middle of the Park Hill Commons development, was the result of a land-swap deal that was negotiated by Denver’s deputy parks director Scott Gilmore. As the project nears completion, the cost to build it spikes to $1.2 million, far higher than what was promised to the city council. And, in the latest twist, the city hired the company owned by Gilmore’s brother and other family members to build the park. The latest leaves many observers incredulous.
Citing ongoing collusion between city officials and Westside Investment Partners over plans to develop the Park Hill Golf Course land, Save Open Space Denver files a lawsuit to stop the city from using taxpayer resources to benefit the developer. The 155-acre parcel is protected by a conservation easement. The plaintiffs include former Mayor Wellington Webb and 13 other former lawmakers and community leaders. The Rocky Mountain National Wildlife Refuge just north of Park Hill gets a $1 million annual budget boost, establishing the site as a flagship for urban conservation education. In other news, its program to help bring black-footed ferrets back from near-extinction is thriving.
File photo from the Park Hill Parade.
At the Aug. 26 ribbon cutting and grand opening of Fairfax Park at 29th and Fairfax. Photo by Cara DeGette
The reappearance and roar of airplanes flying overhead jars some residents, who carry lingering memories of Stapleton Airport operating next door. Denver International Airport officials say the increased air traffic overhead is due to airplanes being temporarily rerouted during construction being done on one of its main runways.
Cycling returns downtown. Photo by Reid Neureiter
A spike in traffic accidents, collisions and hit-and-runs all over the neighborhood prompts cops and neighbors to warn people to put down the phone and slow down. Yes for Parks and Open Space activists collect enough signatures for a November ballot initiative that would require a citywide vote to lift the conservation easement at Park Hill Golf Course. Westside Investment Partners, which wants to develop the property, responds by launching its own dueling petition. Neighbors turned out for an open house welcoming the temporary residents of the Safe Outdoor Space at Park Hill United Methodist Church.
Thanks to vaccinations, Denver continues to mark the return of pre-pandemic events, including Helen Wolcott’s twice yearly art and jewelry show in Park Hill and competitive cycling returning to the streets of downtown. Helen Wolcott, with her jewelry. Photo by Cara DeGette
Sen. Michael Bennet and Rep. Ed Perlmutter examine a 7-foot long tusk from a protected narwhal — the storied unicorn of the sea — at the National Wildlife Property Repository. Photo by Reid Neureiter
continued on next page The Gilmore Construction sign hung on the fence surrounding Fairfax Park for months. It disappeared in late July shortly after a reporter inquired about the company’s contract with the city to build the park. Gilmore Construction is owned by the brother of Scott Gilmore, the city official who negotiated a controversial land swap for the park. Photo by Cara DeGette
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October
Cont. from previous page
September Opponents of the Safe Outdoor Space at Park Hill United Methodist Church/ Temple Micah continue their efforts to shut down the site, filing a second lawsuit over the temporary camp that is providing unhoused people with shelter and services. The suit leaves many neighbors frustrated, who note the “vast majority” of the neighborhood has been welcoming, including volunteering and dropping off donations of food and clothing. The camp is scheduled to close at the end of December. Citing delays occurring in the construction industry, Denver officials announce the $1.2 million Park Hill’s Safe Routes to School project will be delayed for up to a year.
Warm weather and little rain brought a gorgeous and lingering Autumn to Denver and Colorado. Photo by Reid Neureiter
A whopping 13 ballot measures are approved for the November citywide ballot, including a controversial $190 million arena at the National Western Complex that is heavily promoted by Mayor Michael Hancock. Four additional city bond projects include proposals for new libraries, sidewalks, bike lanes, playgrounds, athletic fields and facilities for people experiencing homelessness.
November
Historic Denver announces a new project highlighting 50 places across the city that are worthy of taking steps to protect and preserve because of their historical significance. Six of those are in or just outWelcome to Colorful Colfax: Hotchkiss Auto Repair on side Park Hill: Whatley Chapel at Colfax got a new sign. Artist Amy Jones spent much of the Johnson & Wales campus, Bear the summer working on the mural, which depicts many Mountain and Monkey House at cool Denver landmarks. Photo by Cara DeGette the Denver Zoo, Stedman Elementary School, the Moorish Revival House at 1585 Glencoe St., The Robinson House at 3435 Albion St. and the Shops at East Colfax and Quebec Street.
The Shops at East Colfax and Quebec Street were identified by Historic Denver as one of 50 places worth saving. Photo by Cara DeGette
The Park Hill Home Tour and Street Fair returns, with six featured homes and a daylong fair with booths, food and entertainment on Forest Parkway.
First Class Scout Nathan Klug and Star Scout Connor Beardsley, at the Park Hill Street Fair on Sept. 12.
Gene Jiggitts, an Eagle Scout in his 90s, with Troop 62 Assistant Scoutmaster Scott Slack.
Former Mayor Wellington Webb, outside his home in the Whittier neighborhood west of City Park in September. Webb was a leading advocate for Ordinance 301 to preserve the conservation easement at the Park Hill Golf Course. The measure passed by a nearly 2-1 margin. Photo by Cara DeGette
The board of Greater Park Hill Community, Inc., the Parks and Recreation Advisory Board, and former Denver Mayor Wellington Webb all agree: The conservation easement protecting the Park Hill Golf Course land should be respected. At a press conference launching the Yes on 301 efforts, Webb likens the battle to David versus Goliath. “This has to do with the future of Denver,” Webb says. “Do you want more open space and green, or do you want more developed building out every site they can find?” The previous month, the GPHC board voted overwhelmingly to endorse Ordinance 301 on the November ballot— and oppose the developer-sponsored Ordinance 302. Their vote follows a community survey showing 77 percent of Park Hill residents support keeping the land open space — and a unanimous 2020 resolution by the Parks and Recreation Advisory Board that Denver should buy the property from the developer for a park.
Park Hill Home Tour organizer Mary Salsich. Photo by Cara DeGette
By nearly 2-1 margins, Denver voters approve Ordinance 301, the Save Open Space effort that would require additional voter-approval to lift the conservation easement at the Park Hill Golf Course. And, they reject Ordinance 302, the developer’s competing effort to neutralize 301. Open space advocates celebrated the clear victory, but in a prepared statement the developer indicated no plans to back down. “We have heard that city residents want to understand more details about what the future of the golf course can be, and we look forward to showing how much better we can do than a defunct golf course for our community, our environment and future generations,” said Kenneth Ho, a principal with Westside Investment Partners. Voters also approve four Denver bond measures for improvements, but soundly reject Mayor Michael B. Hancock’s plan for a 10,000-seat arena. Observers described it as the biggest defeat of the mayor’s political career. Voters also reject efforts to overturn the city’s group living ordinance, raise taxes on cannabis and punitive crackdowns on people experiencing homelessness. Also on the November ballot, Denver Public Schools board president Carrie Olson wins reelection in District 3, Michelle Quattlebaum wins a seat in District 4, and Scott Esserman wins an at-large seat. Boy Scout Troop 62 turns 100. The second oldest troop in Colorado celebrates by throwing a huge party at the Masonic Lodge, complete with an obstacle course, a dunk tank, magnetic fishing, an air cannon, a Rain Gutter Regatta and a s’mores station.
Pastor Nathan Adams in front of the Park Hill United Methodist Church, at Montview Boulevard and Glencoe Street. Photo by Cara DeGette
Pastor Nathan Adams, of Park Hill United Methodist Church, is announced as this year’s recipient of the J. Carlton Babbs award, honoring people who have made significant contributions to the neighborhood. Under Adams’ leadership, his church opened its heart and its parking lot to unhoused people — the Safe Outdoor Space that had been the source of so much controversy earlier in the year. “It was as simple as, ‘we are a church, we have a parking lot, and this is what we need,” Adams says.
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The Greater Park Hill News
December 2021
Spilling, continued from page 1 parkhillgardenwalk.org/calendar/ to pick up at GPHC world headquarters, at 2823 Fairfax St on Mondays and Wednesdays between 9 a.m. and 3 p.m.
Where There Is Esperanza
The Downtown Aurora Visual Arts (DAVA) studio is kicking off its annual Holiday Show and Sale with an opening reception on Friday, Dec. 3 from 4 to 7 p.m. The show, called Hope/ Venezuelan artist Yurima Crowley’s work is featured in the Esperanza, will be on display Hope/Esperanza show. Photo courtesy of DAVA through Jan. 14 and features artwork and handmade holip.m. to 7 p.m.. Friday, Dec. 3 from 10 a.m. day gifts made by youth and local artists. to 7 p.m., Saturday, Dec. 4 from 9 a.m. to Among the offerings: Ceramics, including 6 p.m., and Sunday, Dec. 5 from 11 a.m. to decorative tiles, tea bowls, candle and soap 3 p.m. holders, bells, and sculptural planter pots. The Denver Potters Association is owned Artwork by guest artists includes paintand operated by Castle Clay Artists, which ings and prints of daily scenes by Matty is in Park Hill. For more information, call Miller, mini pots and ceramic wall hang303-377-5535 or visit denverpotters.com. ings by Christine O’Dea; crocheted hats Check them out @castleclayartists on Inby Mikah Neff, Reiki charged candles by stagram and Facebook. Cûriōs Nature Co., wood-fired pottery by Liam Grinton, and hand-forged metal jewelry from Designs by Vickie A. Also featured is beaded jewelry from I Love ME Gems created by a group of local immigrant women led by Venezuelan artist Yurima Crowley. DAVA is at 1405 Florence St., one block south of East Colfax Avenue in the Aurora Cultural Arts District. Hope/Esperanza is free and open to the public from 10 am to 5 pm, Monday to Friday and by appointment. Proceeds from the exhibition support free year-round art programs for youth. For more infor- Painting by Matty Miller, who is participating in the Hope/Espermation about DAVA pro- anza show. Photo courtesy of DAVA grams, visit www.davarts. org, or call 303-367-5886.
Denver Potters Sale Dec. 2-5
The Denver Potters Association is holding its Winter Show and Sale from Thursday, Dec. 2 to Sunday, 5 at the Sixth Avenue United Church in Denver. The show brings together nearly 40 top local artists showcasing functional and sculptural ceramics, jewelry, fiber, glass, and wood creations. The Sixth Avenue United Church is at 3250 E. Sixth Ave., at Adams Street. Admission is free and masks are required for both guests and artists working at the sale. Sale hours are Thursday, Dec. 2 from 3
American household waste increases
more than 23% during the holiday season — but we can change that.
Learn how to spread more joy with less waste this year at DenverGov.org/WasteLess. Photo courtesy of the Denver Potters Association.
CHRIS
MERMAN
December 2021
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Page 9
The Northfield Nighthawks boys soccer team, with bleached hair, during the National Anthem just before their Nov. 10 semifinal match against North High.
Victory For Northfield
Northfield junior midfielder Mercer Dergance (No. 19) controls the ball against a challenge from North senior midfielder Abel TorresZavala (No. 11) in their Nov. 10 semifinal match.
Nighthawks Take Home School’s First State Soccer Title Story and Photos by Reid Neureiter For the GPHN
The Northfield Nighthawks captured the school’s first state soccer title on Nov. 12 with a 1-0 victory over Mullen High at Colorado Springs’ Weidner Field. The win was the capstone for boys soccer programs throughout Denver Public Schools, with several teams progressing deep into the 2021 Colorado state playoffs. In the first round of the big school 5A playoffs, 15th-seeded Denver East Angels beat 18th-seeded Lakewood, and then shocked No. 2 seed Valor Christian by the score of 1-0 on the Eagles home turf to advance to the Elite Eight. The Angels’ season ended there, with a 1-0 loss to Legacy High at North Stadium. Legacy then fell to Grandview in the semifinals and Grandview took home the 5A title with a 3-1 victory over Fossil Ridge on Nov. 13. East finished its season with an 11-4-3 record. In the 4A playoffs, Denver Public Schools were guaranteed a state finalist as the No. 4 seed North Vikings were pitted against undefeated and top-seeded Northfield
OPEn ChristmAs EvE AnD ChristmAs DAy!
Nighthawks in the Nov. 10 semifinal match at Legacy Stadium in Aurora. The close match was decided by a single freekick, with Northfield senior forward Max Garfield delivering a looping, curving shot from 22 yards out around the Viking wall and off the bottom of the crossbar for the match’s only goal. The Nighthawks, who had all dyed their hair an identical bleached orange-blond for the playoff run, successfully defended that single goal lead against North’s determined attack. Two days later, in the 4A championship game against No. 2-seeded Mullen High, Northfield senior forward Moises Inda scored a near identical freekick, from the same distance as Garfield’s semi-final game-winner, also smashing the ball off the Mullen crossbar for the only goal of the final. Northfield ended its season with a perfect 20-0 record (including victories over the larger Class 5A East High and South High). The school finished as the MaxPreps No. 1 ranked high school boys team in Colorado across all divisions — a remarkable achievement for a varsity program that has been in existence for only four years.
Denver North senior midfielder Jackson Crocker (No. 8) looks to steal the ball from Northfield junior midfielder Miles Smith (No. 6).
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December 2021
Park Hill Character
Gentleman Cowboy Shane Sutherland Takes The Reins Of GPHC, Inc. Story and photo by Cara DeGette GPHN Editor
Shane Sutherland probably gets his knack for telling a good story from his dad, a newspaperman who also got himself elected four times as assessor in one of the most Republican counties in Wyoming. As a Democrat. “My father could be charming, but he could be gruff,” Sutherland says. One time his dad got interviewed for a big spread in Sports Illustrated about the Casper Classic, one of the biggest bicycling races in the country. The senior Sutherland was quoted saying that he loved that city, with its fresh air, and how you could get anywhere you needed to get in 20 minutes. The only thing wrong with Casper was there were too many damn Republicans. “My father always said he was misquoted — that he actually said there were too many goddamned Republicans,” Sutherland says. “My father swore like a sailor. He was a Marine. He worked in profanity like Michelangelo worked in stone … it was his true medium.” Sutherland’s mom, he said, was even more of a character; standing a diminutive 5’2” tall and “the strongest person I’ve ever known.”
You had me at hello At the turn of this century, after Sutherland and his wife were married, they started looking for a house. When they saw the bungalow at 25th and Clermont in the north section of Park Hill it was love at first sight. “This was the first house the realtor showed us,” Sutherland says. “I grew up in a wooden tract home, and I’ve always loved brick buildings. You know the old saying, ‘You had me at hello’ — that’s how Park Hill had me, at hello.” Not long after moving in, there was a knock on his door. It was Helen Wolcott from down the street, inviting Sutherland and his wife to a block party. Wolcott was one of the original organizers of the Park Hill Action Committee in the 1960s, working to integrate the neighborhood, battling prejudice and fighting for social justice. Helen Wolcott is Sutherland’s Park Hill hero. Sutherland’s own activism was inspired by his desire to
December 2021
The Greater Park Hill News
preserve the old homes of Park Hill. Flashing red lights went off in his brain when he saw, in just a short timeframe, five small homes on his block pop-topped or scraped entirely and replaced with million-dollar houses nearly three times the size of what had been there. “I’m not saying [the new houses] are bad, but it changes the dynamic of the neighborhood,” he says. “It’s a shame we’re tearing down — I hate to say affordable because they aren’t really for many people — but what they are being replaced with something that is even less affordable. And, it’s a shame the city hasn’t done anything to protect this older stock.”
How do we preserve Park Hill? When Sutherland first moved to Denver in 1986, the east Washington Park neighborhood was full of old bungalows. Drive through the area now and you’re lucky to see five or six of them remaining on a block. The rest are multi-million dollar mansions. Sutherland does not want that to happen in Park Hill, which has the same zoning. “How do we preserve Park Hill as Park Hill? The real answer is to lobby, to get the city to agree to preserve the stock of smaller homes,” he says. Other cities have programs in place — he cites Portland, Ore., for example, that require structures that are torn down to be deconstructed and the materials recycled, and that only similar-sized homes can be built as replacements. “It goes deeper than preservation, it’s also about sustainability,” Sutherland says. “When you tear down a 1,200 to 1,400 square-foot bungalow you take between 50 to 65 tons [of debris.]” Considering that only about 15 percent of trash is recycled in the Denver metro area, that means a lot of old homes end up in the landfill. “There’s very little recycling [in industry] because we haven’t had leadership at the city level to do it. This is well beyond Park Hill.”
Equity at the top of the list Last month, Sutherland became the chair of Greater Park Hill Community, Inc., taking over from Tracey MacDermott, who was elected an at-large board member of the
organization. The two share a passion for sustainability, and they expect to continue to work closely on new and ongoing projects. What happens at the Park Hill Golf Course, at the old Johnson & Wales campus, the evolution of the city-approved East Area Plan — all are ongoing and critical issues facing the neighborhood. At the top of Sutherland’s list of priorities is equity. As longtime Park Hillians know, the city divides the neighborhood into three separate entities— South Park Hill, North Park Hill and Northeast Park Hill. For years, the tradition for community advocates has been to insist there is just one Park Hill — Greater Park Hill. However, just as there are many more trees in the wealthier part of the neighborhood to the south, there are currently more active GPHC, Inc. members living in the southern portion of the neighborhood. Over the coming months, Sutherland says, he will be working with other board members to ramp up the focus on the northeast sector of the neighborhood in various ways, to make sure all residents have their voices heard. “Having a strong neighborhood requires constant vigilance, and monitoring what the city is doing,” he says.
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Bear Essentials
Reid Neureiter Interviews A Bear While The Bear Eats Berries Story and photos by Reid Neureiter For the GPHN
During an autumn bicycle ride up Waterton Canyon in Littleton, the Greater Park Hill News happened upon a young bear, voraciously eating berries while putting on weight for the winter hibernation. So naturally we asked the bear some questions while he was posing for the camera. GPHN: You are light brown or even blond in color. What kind of bear are you?
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Mr. Bear: I am an American black bear, or Ursus Americanus. I am the only species of bear now found in Colorado. “Black” is the species, not the color. In terms of color, we American black bears can be black, brown, cinnamon or even blond. “Brown bear” is another name for a grizzly bear, a much larger species with the distinctive hump on its shoulders. Unfortunately, Colorado’s last grizzly was killed by a hunter in the San Juan mountains in 1979. GPHN: You do not look very big. How much do you weigh?
mass will drop by 33 percent as I survive on the fat layer built up during the fall. Female bears give birth during the hibernation period, and while the mother stays in a state of on-and-off hibernation, the hairless cubs will find their mothers’ nipples and nurse until springtime, getting all the nutrients they need from their mother’s milk. GPHN: Are you dangerous? Mr. Bear: We black bears generally try to avoid humans altogether, and usually act aggressively only when we feel threatened or frightened. The chances of me attacking a human is very low. Most incidents occur when a person surprises one of us or gets too close, especially to a mama bear with cubs. If you encounter me on a trail, be calm, stand your ground and talk calmly. Do not run. Back slowly away. Make sure we bears have an escape route. If you give me space, I will usually go about my business while ignoring you. In bear country, it is a good idea to hike in groups and make noise in blind spots along the trial so you don’t surprise me. GPHN: What is the biggest threat to Colorado’s black bears? Mr. Bear: The real danger to me and my family would be if I were habituated to human food sources, like garbage, food at a campsite, dog food or bird feeders. If I Mr. Bear: I beg your pardon? That is were to get too comfortable around people, kind of a personal question. I will answer I might destroy your property or even begenerally for my species. Black bears stand come a threat to your safety while searching approximately three feet tall when on all for food. Then the authorities would likely four legs. We can be from five to six feet destroy me. So never feed me, and in bear long. Male black bears average 275 pounds country don’t put out food for wildlife that and females 175 pounds. Some have been attracts me. When camping, reported to weigh more than keep a clean camp and tent, 500 pounds. avoid packing odorous foods I might eat up to 90 and make sure to use bearGPHN: You seem very hungry and are very focused pounds of food in a proof, odor-proof containers. on eating those berries. Why GPHN: Thanks so much day and double my so famished? for your time. Where can I Mr. Bear: We bears try weight as I get ready learn more about Colorado’s bears? to put on as much weight as to hibernate. possible in the summer and Mr. Bear: Colorado Parks late fall to get ready for hi& Wildlife has a good pambernation. I might eat up to phlet called “Living with Bears: How to 90 pounds of food in a day and double my Avoid Conflicts” that is available at cpw. weight as I get ready to hibernate. state.co.us/Documents/Education/LivingWithWildlife/LivingWithBears.pdf and GPHN: What do you typically eat? the National Park Service has information Mr. Bear: These berries I am eating are about the black bears in Rocky Mountain Virginia Creeper berries. But we bears are National Park at nps.gov/romo/learn/naomnivorous, meaning we will eat almost ture/black_bears.htm anything. In the spring we eat emerging
grasses, and in the summer and early fall berries and other fruits. We will also eat ants, beetle larvae, and wasps, bees and termites. Given the chance, I will catch and eat small mammals like rabbits, beaver or young deer. GPHN: Tell us about hibernation. What is that all about? How does it work? Mr. Bear: With the temperature dropping in late fall and sources of food disappearing, I will enter my winter den and enter a state of torpor, or light sleep. My body goes into a state of metabolic suppression, with my heart rate dropping to 8-10 beats per minute and I will average only one breath per minute. I will stay in the den until spring, occasionally waking to lick and clean my fur and foot pads. I will not urinate or defecate during this time. My body
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December 2021
Thank you for your support! The operating budget of the Greater Park Hill News relies on advertising funds. We are so grateful for our advertisers who enable us to provide this publication free of charge to the Greater Park Hill Community. The list of businesses and organizations below have purchased a display ad in 2021. Please consider supporting them during the holiday season and the upcoming year. Thank you to all who have contributed. We are so grateful! If you would like to contribute to the Greater Park Hill News, please visit greaterparkhill.org/newspaper/support Type
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Arts & Entertainment
Cleo Parker Robinson Dance
303-295-1759
cleoparkerdance.org
Insurance
Assured Partners
720-862-7433
ackerman@assuredpartners. com
Auto
Dart Auto
303-562-1015
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Legal Services Peters Poormon LLC Notary
Mobile Notary
303-504-4737
poormonlaw.com
Campaign
Dr. Carrie Olson for Denver School Board
carrieaolson.com
Office Space
Park Hill Coworking
720-593-1928
parkhillcoworking.com
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RISE Denver 2021
risedenver2021.com
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Althea Center
303-322-7738
altheacenter.org
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Tobacco-Free Kids Action Fund
FlavorsHookKidsDenver.org
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Bluff Lake Nature Center
720-708-4147
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Colorado Department of Public Health & Environment
877-CO-VAX-CO cocovidvaccine.org
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Denver Public Library
720-865-0290, 720-865-0250
denverlibrary.org
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Denver Public Works
720-913-1311
denvergov.org
303-355-8508
parkhillbookstore.org
303-307-9332
theurbanfarm.org
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Kearney Garage
303-900-0381
kearneygarage.com
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YES for Parks and Open Space
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Cake Crumbs
303-861-4912
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Crock Spot
303-993-4126
thecrockspot.com
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Honey Hill Cafe
720-242-6048
honeyhillcafe.com
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Esters at Oneida Park
yesopenspace.org
303-997-4173
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Colfax Mayfair BID
303-468-3239
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Organizations
303-321-1511
obliospizza.com
Organizations
Park Hill Community Bookstore
Sexy Pizza
720-923-2223
sexy.pizza/locations/park-hill
Organizations
The Urban Farm
Education
Denver Language School
denverlanguageschool.org
Pet Care
Park Hill Veterinary Medical 303-388-2255 Center
Education
303-557-0852, 303-777-0544
Denver Preschool Program 303-595-4377
dpp.org
Pet Care
Zen Den Pet Spa
303-954-9486
Education
French American School of 720-966-1380 Denver
fasdenver.org
Real Estate
8z Real Estate
720-638-5345
Education
International School of Denver
303-340-3647
isdenver.org
Real Estate
Amy Hulsey - Kentwood Real Estate Cherry Creek
frontrange.8z.com/ agents/78918-Natalie-Hengel
303-810-8463
kentwood.com/bio/ahulsey
303-360-0803
stanleybps.org
Real Estate
Anastasia Williamson Kentwood City
303-523-2037
parkhillspecialist.com
Real Estate
Ann Torgerson - Home Smart
303-522-5922
homesmart.com/realestate-agent/colorado/ greenwoodvillage/44980-anntorgerson/Welcome
Real Estate
Chris Merman Liv Sothebys 303-358-4294
cmerman@livsothebysrealty. com
Real Estate
Jaden Combs - Kentwood 303-324-1437
combssellhomes.com
Real Estate
Jay Epperson - Compass
303-886-6606
parkhillhomes.net
Real Estate
Kim Davis - Compass
303-218-8373
Laura Hudgins - Compass, 720-480-9692 NPRE
compass.com/agents/kimdavis
Illegal Pete’s
720-674-2980
Dining
Oblio’s Pizza
Dining
Education
Stanley British Primary Summer Program
Events
Park Hill 4th of July Parade
parkhillparade.com
Events
Park Hill Garden Walk
parkhillgardenwalk.org
Events Events
Park Hill Art Festival
coloradoartshows.com
Park Hill Home Tour
parkhillhometour.org
303-893-2444
mobilenotaryopennow.com
illegalpetes.com/location/ denver-park-hill
Dining
Denver Water
720-434-0434
denverwater.org
parkhillvet.com zendenpetspa.com
Financial Advisor
Kuhn Advisors
303-803-1016
KuhnAdvisors.com
Health
Body In Motion Chiropractic
720-376-9037
bodyinmotiondc.com
Health
COSMO - Colorado Sports 720-370-8543 Medicine & Orthopaedics
cosportsmed.com
Health
Hakala Family Dental
303-321-8967
hakalafamilydentistry.com irispediatricdentistry.com
Real Estate
Health
Mayfair Vision
303-333-9898
visionsourcemayfairvisionclinic.com
Real Estate
561-212-5190
laureladler.com
Health
Nestman Orthodontics
720-735-9800
nestmanortho.com
Laurel Adler Live West Realty
Real Estate
Lisa Santos - Compass
720-933-3377
Health
Park Hill Dental Arts
303-377-8662
parkhilldental.com
Health
Park Hill Family Dental
303-377-5646
parkhillfamilydentistry.com
Real Estate
Marcy Eastman Compass Realty
compass.com/agents/lisasantos
720-436-5494
compass.com/agents/marcyeastman
Health
Seto Family Dentistry
720-722-9070
setofamilydentistry.com
Real Estate
Nina Kuhl - Home Smart
303-913-5858
kuhlnina.com
medschool.cuanschutz.edu/ ob-gyn
Real Estate
Roberta Locke - Home Smart
(303) 921-5842
robertalocke@aol.com
Real Estate
Sara Clark - Compass
720-936-7812
compass.com/agents/saraclark
Real Estate
Stephen LaPorta - Home Smart
303-525-0640
steve@perfectdenverhomes. com
Religious Institutions
Unity on the Avenue
303-3223901
unityontheavenue.org
Retail Retail
Ceramics in the City
ceramicsinthecity.com
Retail
Park Hill Farm & Flea
303-200-0461
Park Hill Treasures
720-701-2644
parkhilltreasures.com
Health
Health
Health
Iris Pediatric Dentistry
720-678-9401
Oneida Park Dental Studio 303-531-1578
University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, 303-724-5276 Dept of OBGYN
oneidaparkdentalstudio.com
Home Services City Side Remodeling
303-722-1832
citysideremodeling.com
Home Services David Smith Windows
720-550-2786
drsmith46@yahoo.com
Home Services Diane Gordon Design
303-355-5666
dianegordondesign.com
Home Services Ireland’s Finest
303-512-8777
Home Services Gather and Spruce Home Services Kujawa Contruction
720-990-5085
303-324-6250
720-628-6690, Home Services Number One House Clean 303-719-2456 Home Services Rooster Electric Home Services Superior House Cleaning Home Services The Kinetics
720-737-2048
720-626-3696, 720-276-5174 720-320-1776
Home Services Van Camp’s Quality Floors 303-871-8377
December 2021
The Greater Park Hill News
gatherandspruce.com irelandsfinestinc.com
kujawaconstruction.com
roosterelectric.com
Real Estate
Retail Retail Senior Living
hardwoodfloorsdenver.com
Sports & Fitness
Keith Combs - Kentwood
Tague Farm
The Shape of Wood c
720-218-9614
combssellhomes.com
compass.com/agents/laurahudgins
parkhillfarmandflea.com taguefarm.com
theshapeofwood.com
Rosemark at Mayfair Park
303-4794867
rosemarkmayfairpark.com
Nuture Pilates
303-815-6671
nurturepilates.com
Page 13
GPHC Command Central Lana Cordes, Executive Director
Rich From Giving Grateful For Our Neighborhood By Lana Cordes
fax, Tables Restaurant, and the Park Hill Realtors group. And of course we can’t forget to mention Cake Crumbs Bakery and The end of the year always makes me exCafé and the Park Hill Branch of Denver tra grateful for this wonderful community. Public Library, who collect food donations You all are so generous in Novemfor us year-round. ber and December and it shows! Now it’s time to change gears Truly, thank you to everyone who and join your fellow Coloradans in donated, volunteered, spread the some online philanthropy. Coloword, gave us a pat on the back, sent rado Gives Day is Tuesday, Dec. a kind note, or supported our work 7. Nonprofits across Colorado will in myriad ways in 2021. be promoting giving campaigns as In November, small groups of part of the statewide effort. Head hard-working volunteers helped to ColoradoGives.org and search us organize, build, pack and dis- Lana Cordes for all of your favorite Colorado tribute more than 300 food boxes nonprofits. You can even schedule for Thanksgiving. We’ll be providyour donations in advance. And, if ing an update in January with additional you feel so inclined, we’d love it if you’d details. consider Greater Park Hill Community for In the meantime, a special thank you to one final year-end gift. a handful of organizations who contribGreater Park Hill Community’s operauted sizable donations and organized food tions are supported heavily by volunteers drives for us: Anytime Fitness Mayfairand almost entirely by donors. This is my Park Hill, Bounce Gymnastics, Dank Dislast monthly quote for 2021 to express our pensary, HM Capital/Park Hill Commons, gratitude for our donors and volunteers: Mayfair Liquors, Messiah Community Church, Montview Community Preschool, “No one has ever become poor from givMontview Boulevard Presbyterian Church, ing.” — Maya Angelou Nestman Orthodontics, Parkview on FairExecutive Director, GPHC, Inc.
Donors
AARP #995 Queen City Anytime Fitness Bounce Gymnastics Cure D’Ars Catholic Church Dahlia Campus Farms and Gardens Dank-Colorado HM Capital The House Worship Center Mayfiar Liquors Messiah Community Church Mile High Dachshunds Rescue, Inc. Montview Boulevard Presbyterian Church Montview Community Preschool Nestman Orthodontics Park Hill United Methodist Church Parkview on Fairfax The Spicy Radish Tables Restaurant Brittany Albrecht Christine Allen Rocio Almanza Guillen Katharine and Daniel Ambruso Micki Amick Jennifer Anderson Leann Anderson Alicia Appel John and Mary Ellen Arthur Penny Ashley-Lawrence James Aubrey Ally Bailey & Matt McConville Mairin Bailey Elizabeth Bennett Holly Bennett and John Lebsack Estelle and Charles Bennett Carolyn Benoit Thane and Erin Benson Kristal Bernert Simon Blamires Kathryn and James Blanas Katherine Bober Sarah Booth Emmy Bosio Nancy Brauer and Jeffrey Kent Alex Brown Lydia Buchmann Colleen Burke Jennifer Calderone
Page 14
Inga Calvin Liz and James Cameron Jennifer Cappeto Anthony Caravella Andrea Carrothers Stephanie Ceccato and Michael Heringslack Debbie Cella Barbara and Alan Charnes Richard Cheever Emily Clark Patricia Coan Rachel Coates Todd Cooper Patty Cordova Brie Cosgriff Emma Cummings Charlie Curlee Jennifer Darrow Melissa and Greg Davis Brenna Derritt Harry and Gail Doby Erin Donovan Cheryl Dorris Mark Dowling Nancy Downs Amelia Drumwright Laura DuFour Jennifer Dyer Carol S Emrick Jay Epperson Michelle Ferguson Kelly Ferraro Johan and Deborah Fialka Brooke and Alex Fleming Peggy Forberg Anne & Joe Frank Mary Frost Duane and Jean Gall Georgia and Woody Garnsey Mary Ellen Garrett Mary Gerwin Bobbi Gillis Dan Goe and Kristin Coulter Geneva and Luther Goldsby Andrea Gordon Princess Gray Lisa Haddox Christine Hager Simon and Elizabeth Hambidge Sam Hammerman Kathryn Harhai Dave Harper Amy Harris
Matt Harrison Pamela Healy Elizabeth Hebbard Natalie Hengel Lola and Arlen Hershberger Jake Higdon Adrian Hill St. Thomas Episcopal Church Bob Homiak and Susan Schneider Todd & Renee Hopkins Nancy Howe Kelly Hudson Dana & Bill Hughes Joel Hunter-Pirtle Dee Jackson Corey Jamroz Julie Ann Jensen Karen Johnston and T. Shane Sutherland Katie Jones Todd Jorgensen Susan Jorgenson Craig Joyce Bill Juraschek Vera Kalba Tim and Sally Kennedy Scott Kinnamon Shana Kirk Michael Kosnett and Jan Van Mosteller Kelly Krhounek Matt Kroon Nina and Mark Kuhl Marcia Lamb and Jackson Turnacliff Jacqueline Lansing Rachelle and James Larcus Andrew Lefkowits Smith Leser Alan and Leslie Levine Stacey Levy Dr. Paul and Sue Long Inga Oyan Longbrake Mary Jo Lorenz Susan Losacano Laurie Loughhead Tracey Macdermott and Heather Shockey Carol Maclennan Christina and Dan Manzanares Philippa Marrack and John Kappler Kathleen Mayer Jeff Mayfield
The Great Thanksgiving Giveaway
Small groups of volunteers worked to organize and distribute more than 300 meal boxes, including from top left clockwise: Judy Wolfe, Nikki Wiederaenders, Lana Cordes, Laura Hudgins and Nina Kuhl at GPHC world headquarters; Jon Bowman and his group of volunteers; Shane Sutherland and Lana Cordes; Dustin Neiman and Carrol Rhead; Lindsay Wadman; Ruth Baker.
Beth and Jim McBride Richard McClintock Lydia Mccoy and Dena Saleh Dirk and Carol Mcdermott Mary McNeill Randy & Babette McQueen Patricia Mead Chris Merman Jessica Milano Karen Mills, LCSW Debbie and David Milner Harriett Milnes Brenda and Stefan Mokrohisky Steve Morrow Harriet Mullaney Ashley Murphy Gary Naef Elizabeth G Neer Chris and Erin Nielsen Teresa Nossaman Hilary O’Byrne Lisa OConnor Peg Fleming Oldham Dru O’Rourke Sally O Ortiz Jessica and Jeff Pearson Cynthia and Franklin Pesantez Scott Petersen Vivian & Roger Peterson Jocelyn Phipers Betsy and Geoffrey Post Annie and David Pratt Julie Rath Ellen Reath and Craig Maginness Samantha Lehni Reeves Ashley Rice Robin Ridley Steven and Joan Ringel Courtney Riordon David and Patty Roush
Laura Rubin Matthew Sadler Marie Salame Mary Salsich Stephanie Sands Bryan Saunders and Kate Swan Rachel Schoen Doug Schuler and Margerie Hicks Susie Seawell Sarah Sexton Amy Shaffer Brenda Morrison and Brian Shaw Jody and Bob Smith Elvin and Irmi Smith Sarah Speicher Lorrie Spoering Matthew and Elizabeth Spohn Michele and Erik Stark Julie Steiner Pavel Suyumov Sarah Swanson Lauren Swenson Penfield Tate Suzanne Tate Marjorie Thompson Wendi Torres Karen Urwin Pat Van-Bercklaer Alex Walsh Sue Weinstein and Marekah Stewart Kandice Wheeler Kevin Wiegand and Karen Sercey Lauran Williamson Roxana Wilter Polly Wirtz and Gary Klein Sue Wofford Momoko Wong Guy and Susan Wroble
Leslie Yelland Brian Kelly and Nanci Young Craig Umbaugh and Lisa Zoeller Debbie Zucker and Brian Field
Volunteers
Suzanne Beckley Lisa Brownlee Sue Bruner Gordon Bruner Colette Carey Kristy Corcoran Greg Davis Claudia Fields Maria Flora Tas Frashure James Groves Chelsea Henderson Noni Horwitz Laura Hudgins Joel Hunter-Pirtle Bernadette Kelly Nina Kuhl Eric Leedom Debra Lovell Tracey MacDermott Vanessa McLennan Eric McLennan Dru O’Rourke Mia Peterson Louis Plachowski Carrol Rhead Deb Rosenbaum Sandy Sabala Doug Schuler Heather Shulman Jacqui Shumway Shane Sutherland Andrea Tendanne Lindsay Wadman Nikki Wiederaenders Judy Wolfe
The Greater Park Hill News
December 2021
E. 52nd Ave
Colorado Blvd.
E. 48th Ave Monaco St.
Ivy St.
Forest St.
I am so grateful to live and work in this community. Quebec St.
Niagara St.
Elm St.
E. 29th Ave
From my home to yours, I wish you a very happy holiday season.
E. 29th Ave
Magnolia St.
Ivy St.
Eudora St.
Colorado Blvd.
Montview
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This map shows the 10 district boundaries of GPHC, Inc. Six at-large representatives also serve on the board of the Registered Neighborhood Organization.
Who We Are, What We Do
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NPRE is a team of real estate agents affiliated with Compass. Compass is a licensed real estate broker in Colorado and abides by equal housing opportunity laws. Rules & Exclusions apply. Compass offers no guarantee or warranty of results. Subject to additional terms and conditions. We cannot take aerosols, paint thinners, solvents and cleaning agents.
The Board of Directors of GPHC, 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 GPHC board is comprised of volunteer at-large representatives, as well as 10 district representatives. If you are interested in volunteering or serving on a committee, contact current GPHC Board Chair Shane Sutherland at chair@greaterparkhill.org for details. 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. The GPHC world headquarters is at 2823 Fairfax St. 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 listed, leave a message at the main number and it will be forwarded to your elected representative by GPHC Executive Director Lana Cordes. • Board Chair Shane Sutherland:
chair@greaterparkhill.org • Secretary and Zoning/Property Use Chair Bernadette Kelly • Treasurer and District 3 Rep Heather Shockey • District 1 Amy Harris • District 2 Brenda Morrison • District 4 Kevin Wiegand • District 5 Ken Burdette • District 6 Phebe Lassiter • District 7 Jon Bowman • District 8 Nam Henderson • District 9 Doug Schuler • District 10 Colette Carey • At-Large Maria Flora • At-Large Shanta Harrison • At-Large Louis Plachowski: lplachowski@gmail.com • At-Large Sandy Robnett • At-Large Tracey MacDermott • At-Large Leslie Twarogowski • Community Safety Chair Geneva Goldsby • Public Information Chair Melissa Davis: newspaper@greaterparkhill.org • Youth Services Chair Rick Medrick
Email ads@greaterparkhill.org if you are interested in advertising. If you are able to contribute directly to the Greater Park Hill News, please visit greaterparkhill. org/newspaper/support. December 2021
The Greater Park Hill News
Park Hill Treasures 6035 E. COLFAX AVE
WWW.PARKHILLTREASURES.COM ART • GIFTS • UPCYCLING • VINTAGE
Locally owned.
Featuring local artists and vendors. What will you find ?
Page 15
THIS MONTH AT THE LIBRARY
Gone But Not Forgotten We’ll Always Have Ramona and Ralph S. Mouse By Leslie Williams
and characters that appeal to young readers. Cleary died on March 25, at the age of 105 and is best known for her books about Ramona Quimby, Henry Higgins and his dog Ribsy, Ralph S. Mouse, and many more. She wrote books that display an uncanny understanding of life as a kid.
Pauline Robinson Branch Library
On behalf of your neighborhood libraries, I would like to thank you for all of the support and love you have shown us this past year. We were anxious to reopen after being closed due to the pandemic, and didn’t know what to expect. Our Park Hill community has shown us nothing but love. Your excitement over all things books make us proud to serve you and thank you so much for all that you have done for us. I have a lot of memories, good and bad, from this year. One of the sad memories I have is the passing of several prolific children’s authors: Eric Carle, Gary Paulsen, Beverly Cleary and Jerry Pinkney. My colleague, Judith Berquist and I wanted to share our reading memories of Ms. Cleary and Mr. Pinkney.
Jerry Pinkney
Beverly Cleary As shared by Judith Berquist: I read Beverly Cleary’s Mouse and his Motorcycle when my son was very small. He enjoyed all her books, and so did I, as the illustrations were wonderfully created. The way she wrote about Ralph S. Mouse as a personified character with real life emotions and kept my son entertained with his suspenseful adventures. Some of the stories had Ralph concerned about someone else teaching my son about compassion. Ralph is also daring in remedies for various situations even when he is scared. I think Beverly Cleary created stories that will last the test of time with easy reading
As shared by Leslie Williams: I first became introduced to Jerry Pinkney’s books when I was taking a children’s literature class. I remember being in awe of his illustrations, because it was nothing like I had ever seen before. The medium he used, watercolors, were vibrant. His drawings and colors tell the story almost as well as the words on a page. My favorite books illustrated by Pinkney are Mirandy and Brother Wind and The Lion and the Mouse, for which he earned the Caldecott Medal in 2010. The Caldecott Medal recognizes the preceding year’s most distinguished picture book for children. It is awarded by the Association for Library Service for Children, a division of the American Library Association. Throughout his career, Mr. Pinkney illustrated more than 100 books. He died on Oct. 20, at the age of 81. If you are interested in reading — or re-reading — books by Cleary and Pinkney, visit denverlibrary.org and search our catalog. Both the Pauline Robinson and Park Hill Branch libraries have reopened. The Pauline Robinson branch is at 33rd Avenue and Holly Street, and the Park Hill branch is at Montview Boulevard at Dexter Street.
open book | opinion
The Best And Worst Of 2021 Celebrating (And Not) A Rollercoaster Of A Year
Seto Family Dentistry
We are now booking new patient appointments
720-722-9070 No insurance? Ask us about our Neighborhood Plan!
Page 16
By Anya Nitczynski For the GPHN
What a year. No, really. What a year. We’ve been saying that for the past couple of years, and we probably will continue to say it in the coming years. For now, let’s focus on this one. To close out this very long (and somehow incredibly short) year, I’ve compiled a list of my personal top three best takeaways — and my top three worst takeaways — from 2021. To start things off with a bang, on Jan. 6 our nation’s Capitol was assaulted and trashed. That goes in the worst column. I don’t think I’ll ever forget the feeling of watching the news and freaking out in the middle of virtual math class. The mention of “virtual math class” brings me to my first best thing (which is also a worst thing) of the year: in-person learning. One thing I struggled with while trying to put this year into words was deciding whether the things I chose go on the “good” list or the “bad” list. In-person learning was probably the hardest one to decide on. I went back to in-person school in March. The ability to get out of the house and see my friends was a game changer for me. But it also meant less leeway on assignments, earlier school starting times, more homework, and a huge transition from zero social interaction to a whole day’s worth. Not long before school let out, another best thing happened to me. I got vaccinated. I was able to feel safer while out and about, I got to see some members of my
family for the first time in a while, and so much more. Enough said? I think so. One recurring theme from these past couple of years has been division. This year, so many things felt polarized that shouldn’t be. Nonpartisan issues turned partisan. I witnessed so much hate this year, and that needs to make the worst list. We can all do better. One place I’ve witnessed this hate was one of the best experiences I’ve had in my entire life. This summer I volunteered at the Safe Outdoor Space in the parking lot of the Montview Presbyterian Church/Temple Micah. The people I’ve met there and the friends I’ve made have genuinely changed my life. I look up to them, and they’re some of the kindest and most selfless people I’ve ever met. Another worst was the ever-present threat of those who didn’t get vaccinated. It’s been scary, not being able to tell who I can feel most safe around and experiencing the disappointment that comes with events being canceled because of people who refuse to get vaccinated. Overall, 2021 was a rollercoaster. Goods and bads, ups and downs. I am forever grateful to the people who got me through this year (and a special shoutout to Taylor Swift for being one of those people and releasing two albums this year. Thank you, queen.) Anya Nitczynski is a freshman at Denver School of the Arts. Her column appears monthly in these pages.
The Greater Park Hill News
December 2021
The delicate Green Lacewing is nocturnal, and flies and lays her eggs at night. These often under-appreciated insects are beneficial to have around the house and garden, as they feed on annoying aphids, mites and other soft-bodied insects. Lacewings are are usually bright green to greenish-brown with translucent wings, and their compound eyes are a stunning golden color. This Green Lacewing was photographed in Park Hill by photographer Mark Silverstein.
Park Hill VET
Annual Membership
Bug With The Golden Eye
Registration
Bugland | Mark Silverstein
2823 Fairfax Street, Denver, CO 80207 • 303-388-0918 • greaterparkhill.org
Complete this form for new membership registration or renewal. You can also register/renew online at greaterparkhill.org/donate Your Name: Household Name: Business Name (if registering business membership): Address: Email: Phone:
Individual/Household Memberships:
Business Memberships (Include listing on web directory):
[ ] Individual or Family ($35) [ ] Sponsoring ($100) [ ] Non-Profit ($150) [ ] Other $____ [ ] Business ($250) Any amount your budget allows is deeply appreciated
Would you like to make an additional donation to support our programs? [ ] Greater Park Hill News $____ [ ] Food Programs $____ [ ] General Programs / Operations $____
Please make checks payable to Greater Park Hill Community, Inc.
Greater Park Hill Community, Inc. is a 501(c)(3). Our tax ID number is 84-6049695. You will receive an acknowledgment and tax receipt. Members receive our monthly email communication. GPHC will not sell/release your information for any purposes and you may opt out at any time.
Fun, Tech And Joy For Pets And People ’Tis The Season For Furry & Warm, Soft & Squishy By Margot K. Vahrenwald, DVM, CVJ It’s that season again. Snow (maybe), shopping for loved ones, including the furry, and maybe just a huge sigh of relief that 2022 is just around the corner. So now for shopping for the furry set and a few things thrown in for their caretakers. I’ve tried to find the best items for you in terms of fun, tech or just joy. If you love crafty and unique gifts, don’t forget to search Etsy, as there are too, too many things for dogs and cats to list here.
Techy Gifts for Pet Parents Eufy Security Indoor Pet Camera (chewy.com): A set of two indoor cameras with motion detection so you can see what your pet (or teenager) is up to while you’re back at work. Wickedbone Smart Bone (amazon. com): An interactive bone that moves your dog into play action. It has 12 mode settings to match your pup’s mood of the day.
Soft and Squishy Sushi Cat Toy Gift (2 pieces), (etsy.com/listing/502780150): This toy is so great – handmade, filled with organic catnip and just plain cute. And, there are all kinds of other creative Etsy finds if you search Feline Fun, Cat Toys, etc. that won’t break the bank. Starbarks Pupkin Spice Latte Dog Toy (nordstrom.com): Now your pup can enjoy (or destroy) a sweet treat for the holidays.
Pretty and Practical Dogit Elevated Dog Bowl (amazon. com): This elevated set comes in both small and large dog sizes with an easy-to-remove, dishwasher safe stainless steel bowl. Raising an older pet’s food and water bowls can make it much more comfortable if they are developing arthritis/back pain. Waterpik Shower Wand (amazon.com): December 2021
Perfectly practical dog washing station that can work in your shower or attach to a hose. Sherpa Dog & Cat Puffer Vest (Wondershop™ at Target, target.com): Keep them stylish and warm or simply get an adorable snapshot before they run away. Barefoot Dreams Dog Sweater (nordstrom.com): Your dog will love this light but cozy sweater for the winter weather.
Just Because It’s Awesome Custom Pet Portrait (westandwillow. com): One of our veterinarians received one of these as a commemorative gift after the loss of a dear pet and it’s marvelous. Really well priced and you can include up to three pets. PetFusion Ambush Interactive Cat Toy, (amazon.com): It looks a bit like a little spaceship, but it’s a an inactive toy for your favorite feline with a random pattern of feathers popping out to engage and entice their hunter instincts. Dash® Express Dog Treat Maker, (crateandbarrel.com): You can be your dog’s treat chef now for customized treats as simply as making pancakes. Makes eight boneshaped treats. A Personalized Dog Book, (yappy.com): In the style of Where’s Waldo, this personalized book is guaranteed to challenge you to find your pet’s likeness along with other hidden objects in detailed illustrations. For humans of all ages. WorldColorStudio Custom Pet Socks, (etsy.com): Add a novel dash of style to your day with custom socks with your pet or pets (up to five “faces”) in your choice of color and accent pattern.
The Greater Park Hill News
Dr. Margot Vahrenwald is the owner of Park Hill Veterinary Medical Center at 2255 Oneida St. For more information, visit parkhillvet.com
YOU’VE SPENT 30 YEARS BUILDING YOUR NEST EGG. NOW COMES THE HARD PART: MAKING IT LAST ANOTHER 30.
CALL 303-803-1016 TO LEARN MORE
Kuhn Advisors, Inc 2373 Central Park Blvd., Suite 100 Denver, Colorado 80238 Phone: 303.803.1016
Page 17
Greater Park Hill Resources
FREE ' entree
Active Minds
Active Minds has transformed itself during the pandemic from a live, inperson series of lectures to a web experience. Check out free lectures on topics ranging from music to history, current events to foreign affairs. A complete schedule of upcoming events is at activeminds.com
with the Purchase of another Entree Redeemable at Park Hill Illegal Pete’s Only.
Art Garage 6100 E. 23rd Ave., artgaragedenver. com, 303-377-2353. Check the website for schedules.
Blunders and Beers Valid through 2/2/2022.
Licensed General Contractor
Blunders and Beers is a Park Hill Chess Club that meets the second and fourth Wednesdays of each month at Longtable Brewhouse, 2895 Fairfax St., beginning at 6 p.m. All skill levels are welcome. Bring a board if you have one.
Denver Police District 2 3921 Holly St., 2.Dist@denvergov. org, non-emergency number is 720913-1000. For emergencies, dial 9-11.
Serving Park Hill and saving marriages since 1979.
303.324.6250 • kujawaconstruction.com
HaKala Family DentiStry Over a Decade of 5280 Top Dentist 2009 to 2021
Kate HaKala, DDS 425 S Cherry #100, Denver, CO 80246
303-321-8967
www.hakalafamilydentisty.com
Page 18
Denver Public Schools dpsk12.org Check the website for resources and updates. Call the helpline at 720-4233054 for support in many languages.
Faith Community greaterparkhill.org/faith Greater Park Hill’s faith community, home to over 30 places of worship in just four square miles, is as diverse and robust as the neighborhood itself. The GPHN maintains a list of Park Hill’s places of worship at the website above. Contact individual places of worship for information about their current state of operations.
Greater Park Hill Community, Inc. 2823 Fairfax St., greaterparkhill.org, 303-388-0918 The GPHC neighborhood association community meetings are currently conducted virtually on the first Thursday of the month, except for December and July. The next meeting is Thursday, Jan.. 6 at 6:30 p.m. Link to attend at greaterparkhill.org/join-us/ community-meetings/. Check great-
erparkhill.org for information and details to participate. There is no meeting in December.
Libraries denverlibrary.org See the “At the Library” feature in this month’s issue for updates and resources offered by the Park Hill and Pauline Robinson branch libraries.
Northeast Park Hill Coalition The Northeast Park Hill Coalition hosts its monthly meeting the second Thursdays of the month. Check its Facebook page @ Northeast Park Hill Coalition for updates.
Park Hill Community Bookstore Established in 1971. Denver’s oldest nonprofit bookstore. Used and new books. 6420 E. 23rd Avenue. 303355-8508. Members and volunteers get discounts and book credits. The bookstore is open; check parkhillbookstore.org for current hours.
Park Hill Peloton A recreational group of road cyclists that roll from Park Hill once or twice a week. Check the current status of their rides on the Park Hill Peloton Facebook page.
Sie Filmcenter 2510 E. Colfax, denverfilm.org, 303595-3456. Check the website for updates and information about its Virtual Cinema.
Free Zoom Tai Chi Free morning beginner Tai Chi classes on Zoom every Friday at 10 a.m. and Wednesday at 6 p.m. Register at taichidenver.com/beginner-tai-chizoom-class/. Longtime Park Hillians Jacqui and Joe, who teach the class, will send you the link to join.
Walk2Connect www.walk2connect.com Park Hill Sunrise Walking Trips have resumed after the pandemic hiatus. The walks happen every Tuesday from 7:15 a.m. to 8:15 a.m. Meet in front of Honey Hill Cafe on 23rd & Dexter. for a casual, conversationalpaced community walk. Everyone is welcome to join.
Submit your neighborhood events and resources to editor@greaterparkhill.org • Deadlines are the 15th of the month, for the following month’s issue.
The Greater Park Hill News
December 2021
GPHN Classifieds Cleaning House cleaning available 24/7 Collins cleaning / Leigh Collins 16 years experience. Insured, meticulous, affordable. Please call Leigh Collins 720-469-6579 or email: leighac85@ gmail.com
Handy Man
Brush & Hammer- 303-895-5192 Affordable-reliable services. Clean gutters, repair, replace, wood fences, gates and decks, interior painting, install small paver or flagstone patios and walkways.
Hauling
Cut Rate Hauling - A trash, clutter, and junk removal service. Estate clean up, eviction clean up, construction debris, etc. denvercutratejunk.com Call Ruben today 720-434-8042
Lawn Care
Aeration – Sod fertilizer – Power rake – Lawn mowing, Rototilling – Hauling – 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. References. Call Shawn 303-907-9223
Dental Arts 5280 says
Best Dentist
2021
Plaster Repair
THE WALL REBUILDERS Interior plaster (and drywall) repair. We repair cracks, holes, crumbling walls, etc. Specializing in older homes, though we fix houses of every age. Dan and Laura Pino 303-698-1057
Plumbing
OpEn EvEry DAy At 7Am Wine and local beers • Happy Hour daily
Thomas J. Croghan, D.D.S, P.C.
303-377-8662
Full indoor and patio seating available.
4624 East 23rd Ave.
VAIL PLUMBING & HEATING - The Older Home Specialist. Repair, service, remodel. Evaporative coolers. Licensed, insured, guaranteed. 303-329-6042 Plumbing & Sprinklers - Repair or replace, disposal, toilets, water heaters, faucets, sinks, drain cleaning, sump pump, water pressure regulator. Sprinkler blow out, repair and install. www.vertecservices. com 720-298-0880
Roofing
Residential reroofing and repairs, 17 years experience, licensed, bonded, and insured. Gutter replacement and cleaning. Call Shawn 303-9079223
To advertise in the Classifieds contact Melissa Davis
newspaper@greaterparkhill.org 720-287-0442 (voicemail)
the deadline for submitting a classified ad is the 15th of every month
cosmetic & fAmily Dentistry
4628 E 23rd Ave, Denver CO 80207 www.honeyhillcafe.com • 720 242 6048
Complete and comprehensive dental care for the whole family!
Twenty years of experience working with Denver’s classic homes Numerous Park Hill references Design and Renovation Specialists
720-338-0748
www.CitySideRemodeling.com
HOUSE CLEANING
Providing 25 years of personalized cleaning service in Central Park & Park Hill
Deep & Detail-Oriented Cleaning • Offices/Homes/ Apartments/Airbnb • Move-in/Move-out • Eco-Friendly Cleaning Products (upon request) • Magnificent References
Paulina Leon 720-628-6690
MAYFAIR VISION CLINIC
Adult and Children’s Vision • Complete Visual, Eye Health and Glaucoma Testing • All Types of Contact Lenses • Frames with One Year Guarantee • Most Insurances Accepted • Free Adjustments and Minor Frame Repair • 15% Discount for Senior Citizens
Locally Grown Microgreens, Delivered to your Door.
Dr. Janice I. Jarret
Join our Weekly Microgreens Subscription and SAVE 10%.
1336 Leyden
Across from Safeway
www.TagueFarm.com
303.333.9898
The Medley
Ireland’s Finest Painting Co.
40
Bringing Color to Park Hill We are the Clean Guys in a Dirty Industry!
2 0% O F F
labor on all interior jobs performed in
December - March 2022
+
Years
Complete Interior & Exterior Painting
(303) 512-8777 irelandsfinestinc.com
We’re Getting Busy, Call Today!
December 2021
The Greater Park Hill News
Page 19
www.combssellhomes.com 1162 Guanella Pass, Georgetown $1,499,000 Owned by Park Hill Residents
UNDER CONTRACT
One-of-a-kind, 3 bed, 4 bath home nestled in five acres of mountain bliss with new kitchen, completely remodeled bathrooms, soaring ceilings, and expansive glass for breathtaking views of Historic Georgetown!
SOLD 11 N Ogden St. $780,000
Keith Combs 720-218-9614 kcombs@denverrealestate.com
Jaden Combs 303-324-1437
Powerful Message
Beautiful Music
Sparkling Candlelight
Christmas Candlelight Service FRIDAY, DEC. 24 AT 2 PM
SUNDAY, DEC. 26 AT NOON
4670 East 17th Avenue Pkwy Denver, Colorado 80220
Rev. Dr. David Goldberg, Rev. Savanna Riker, and Ustaine Talley
HONORING ALL PEOPLE AND FAITH TRADITIONS Page 20
The Greater Park Hill News
December 2021