All the News About Denver’s Best Residential Community Since 1960 • Volume 61, Issue No. 7 • July 2022
Bike racers circle Ferril Lake and the City Park Pavilion during the June 4 Bill Barr Memorial City Park Criterium. Mount Evans is in the distance.
Inspired To Ride
The Thrill Of The Race Returns to City Park And Colorado Story and photos by Reid Neureiter For the GPHN
For cycling fans, the month of July means one thing: the Tour de France —the world’s biggest cycling race. And for Colorado cyclists who may be inspired by professionals zooming down Paris’ Champs-Elysees, the weeks of June, July and August are filled with bike races of all kinds.
The June 4 Bill Barr Memorial City Park Criterium was a series of men’s and women’s races on a 1.6 mile course through City Park, against the stunning backdrop of a snow-covered Mount Evans. The Greater Park Hill News got the story from Park Hill residents Brian Dunn and Michael Still, along with Anne Donley of nearby Hilltop. All raced at the City Park event, which featured a number of state and national champions competing in all age divisions.
‘I was hooked’ Dunn, 59, has been an avid bike racer for 38 years, having picked up the sport after college. “I grew up alpine ski racing and some college ski teammates got into bike racing after graduation and that’s all it took. I was hooked,” said Dunn, who lives on Montview Boulevard and is the founder and owner of the Great Divide Brewery. Dunn raced in City Park in the 60-plus category with racers ranging in age from 50 to 70 years old, taking tight turns at speeds over 25 miles per hour. He was delighted to have a competitive race just minutes from his front door. “Being able to ride down the street to go to the race is incredible. It
A Roundup Of Local Food News And Other Tidbits
Fries. They’re What’s For Dinner
The restaurant on Colfax most famously
The Award For Best Chef Goes To … The restaurant Annette is not technically in Park Hill. It’s in the Stanley Marketplace at 2501 Dallas St., a couple miles east of Park Hill. But when a chef is named the continued on page 4
The Day We’ve Been Waiting For Grab a hat and the sunscreen, a blanket or some lawn chairs, pack some snacks and some cold refreshing beverages and head over to 23rd Avenue on Monday, July 4, That’s right, the one and only, the super-fantastic, the biggest 4th of July parade in town, kicks off at 1:30 p.m. Thousands of cheering fans line up along 23rd Avenue between Dahlia and Krameria streets, so get there early to stake out your spot. Many of the old favorites are expected to return this year, including the Westernaires, Platinum Divaz Dance, Captain America and dozens of other dancers, musicians and other merrymakers. Watch as local politicos practice their waves. See who tosses out the best candy. The parade is, of course, free, and everyone is welcome. See you on the 4th!
PAGE 12
Denver’s Westword alt-weekly also handed over heaps of praise to a couple of neighborhood restaurants in its annual “Best of Denver” 2022. Blazing Chicken Shack II, in the Holly Shopping Center at 33rd and Holly, took home the award for Best Fried Chicken. This is what Westword had to say about that chicken. “Oh, what glorious chicken it is, fried to order and seasoned to perfection, with a thin but crispy coating giving way to moist meat underneath. Pair it with sides like mac and cheese or slowcooked collards with shreds of ham hock for a home-style Southern feast with plenty of friendly hospitality thrown in.”
Park Hill’s Abbey Tavern also got a Westword Best Of nod this year, named the “Best Place To Watch Liverpool FC” in town. This is what the alt-weekly had to say about the Abbey, at 5151 E. Colfax Ave.: “Given how successful Premier League club Liverpool has been in recent years — not to mention what Ted Lasso has done for soccer’s popularity — it’s no wonder the Liverpool FC Denver fan club found a festive outpost for its Saturday game-watching. The club posts up at the Abbey Tavern for all Liverpool games, and the bar gets completely packed. This is definitely the best place to watch a soccer game for Reds fans. Just don’t show up wearing blue.”
Park Hill Parade Is July 4. Be There.
PAGE 11
That’s Some Good Chicken
Don’t Show Up In Blue
Parade Founder Justin Bresler. File photo by Cara DeGette
In Its First Season, The Colorado Summit Lands On Top
PAGE 7
Some may downplay the simple egg sandwich. But dismissing this creation as merely ordinary apparently would be a serious mistake, at least when you’re at Tessa Delicatessen. In May, Denver magazine 5280 deemed the egg sandwich at this Colfax deli the best in town, including this delectable description: “The keys to the stacker’s magic include a jammy basted egg (cooked in hot fat), thick bacon, herbaceous pesto, melty provolone, and nutty arugula; the extra-squishy house-made milk bun doesn’t hurt either.” Jessica and Vincent Howard opened the deli and restaurant at 5724 E. Colfax, in late 2019. It’s named after their daughter, Tessa. Brunch, lunch and dinner are served.
PAGE 5
Mother Of All Egg Sandwiches
known as Solera became a Texas BBQ joint for awhile. In late 2021, Chef Merlin Verrier opened up Street Feud in the spot, at 5410 E. Colfax. Westword describes the restaurant as “a funky, vibrant spot that specializes in the world’s street food.” And when it comes to Verrier’s French fries, well, the tasters at Westword are impressed. “The menu is loaded with hits, but the French fries stand out thanks to an extra coating of potato starch that makes them extra crispy (while remaining gluten-free) — even when you opt for toppings like braised lamb and curry aioli or crispy pork belly, kimchi and cheese sauce.”
I’m Here To Inform You, Fran Lebowitz Cannot Be Canceled
PAGE 2
Bars, BBQ and Bakeries GPHN Editor
continued on page 6
Inside This Issue
spilling the beans
By Cara DeGette
makes it much more enjoyable when you don’t have to drive. It’s the best and makes me want to never move.” Still, a 53-year-old financial business consultant who lives on Monaco Parkway, won the 50-plus Category 4 City Park Criterium with a 500-yard long-distance sprint after a 50 minutes racing in the closely packed peloton. Still began racing mountain bikes in 1992 and has been active on the road racing scene for five years. A former Colorado State champion in the 40-plus division, Still described his path to victory. “The key to placing well is being near the
Taking Stock Of Our Fragile Democracy
Food Drives And Farm Stands On Fairfax Street Everyone Has The Same Rights At The Library
Upcoming GPHC Meetings Community meetings are conducted on the first Thursday of each month at 6:30 p.m., except for July and December. There is no meeting in July. The August meeting is Thursday, Aug. 4 at 6:30 p.m. at 2823 Fairfax St. Can’t make it in person? Join via Zoom at greaterparkhill.org/ join-us/ community-meetings/