All the News About Denver’s Best Residential Community Since 1961 • Volume 57, Issue No. 7 • July 2018
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Old Tower Theater To House Gymnasium, Dance, Pizza
INSIDE THIS ISSUE Elvis Has Left Park Hill
Renovations Began On June 4 GPHN Editor
The façade of the old Tower Theater at 2245 Kearney St.
The Immigration Crisis In Texas Through The Eyes Of Ronny Story and photos by Alejandra Garza Exclusive to the GPHN
Ronny is 9 years old. He’s shy, polite and has a smile that lights up a room. The first thing I noticed about him was the fact that he was wearing a wool sweater – on a 97-degree day in McAllen, Texas. When I got closer, I noticed that he was actually wearing two sweaters, three T-shirts and two pants. And worn out tennis shoes with no laces. It was all he owned in the world and he wanted to keep it close. A month ago, Ronny said goodbye to his mother and sister in San Salvador, El Salvador. He and his father, Juan, set off for the United States seeking to escape the brutal gangs that have assaulted the young boy, terrorizing him to join them. Ronny and I met on June 23 at the Catholic Charities Humanitarian Alejandra Garza, with Ronny inside the Catholic Charities Center in McAllen. It’s a refuge for immigrant families where they reHumanitarian Center in McAllen, Texas.
ceive a meal, clothing, a shower, shoes and a warm welcome. It’s the rare bright spot during a time of stories about child separation and zero tolerance immigration policies. The center has a unique relationship with federal Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) officials. Under an agreement, ICE contacts the center when they release detained immigrants from local processing centers under what’s known as personal recognizance, with a promise they will face charges in court at a later date. To ensure this, each adult is wearing an ankle monitor and their whereabouts are carefully recorded. Then, and only then, are they released to the custody of a relative or family friend who agrees to assume responsibility. Lest anyone think this is amnesty, remember there is still a long road ahead. Individuals must present their
Chickens, Bunnies, Art On Display At Garden Walk
Rugby. Lacrosse. The Fastest Girl In the Country
UPCOMING GPHC MEETINGS Thursday, Aug. 2 beginning at 6:30 p.m. at 2823 Fairfax St. (There is no meeting in July.) All are welcome to attend.
Ready To Rumble
No Matter How Farrar You Look … … There Is Pam and Jack
Restaurant at East Colfax Avenue and Hudson Street. It’s also in the parking lot south of the Park Hill Community Bookstore, at East 23rd Avenue and Dexter Street. Jack has also planted some “guerilla gardens” (perennials that pop up here and there) in the neighborhood. His interest in decorating the region took hold more than 15 years ago when began attaching “three-dimensional graffiti” on decrepit fences that needed facelifts. Where does he find these unusual raw materials? “We go dumpster diving,
Fairfax Land Swap, Block Parties and Other Announcements
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PARK HILL CHARACTER | Barb Moe
Jack and Pam Farrar are longtime residents of the Park Hill neighborhood, as well as major contributors to its lively spirit. Wrapping your arms around this couple would be a challenge, not because of their girth, but because of their many interests and talents. Take Alley Art. You may have seen examples of Jack’s “spontaneous weirdness” (as he calls it). The weirdness is on display behind the Axum
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All That He Owns
A Record Heat For Politics. Next Up: November
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The old Tower Theater on Kearney Street is being renovated and will open in midAugust as the new home of the Park Hill Dance Academy, as well as a gymnasium, called Mighty Movement, and a second Denver location of Brava Pizzeria. Renovations of the space on the business block of Kearney Street between 22nd and 23rd avenues began in early June, said project manager Christina Schaefer. The building, at 2245 Kearney St., has stood empty since the Korean Full Gospel Church moved out in early 2012. For decades before that, until 1982, the building was the home
of the Tower and Crest movie theaters. More recently, the space was slated to be a 236-seat distillery and restaurant called Bardenay. But the out-of-state owner, Kevin Settles, abandoned the project in February, 2017 in the wake of controversy. While Bardenay was supported by many Park Hill residents, it drew criticism from nearby business owners and vocal neighbors living in surrounding residential areas. Specifically, there were concerns over the size of the proposed restaurant and distillery, the lack of parking, the potential impact on neighboring businesses and concerns over noise.
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Story and photos by Cara DeGette
and sometimes people donate stuff,” Jack says. In addition to indulging his hobbies, Jack made it possible for several years for others to display similar talents, beginning about 10 years ago when he started the Park Hill Alley Art Contest.
The real facts Anyone reading his writings in the Greater Park Hill News might wonder if Jack’s authorial abilities exceed his artistic talents. He is fluent with definitions others may not know, such as the proper meaning of the term “factoid” (not a trivial fact, but continued on page 7
Park Hill 4th Of July Parade Promises Flags And Fun The ninth annual Independence Day parade is ready to rock Park Hill on Wednesday, July 4. This year’s parade includes more than 50 groups, including floats, marching bands, costumed characters (plus dinosaurs, fairies and unicorns), classic cars, and more. The route is the same as years’ past: Down 23rd Avenue, from Dexter to Krameria streets. The parade starts at 1:30 p.m. on the 4th, and people are urged to arrive early to set up blankets and chairs along the route for maximum viewing comfort. A street fair with food, music, kids activities and more follows the parade, at approximately 3 p.m. on the 2200 block of Kearney Street. For more info, check out parkhillparade.org. See you at the parade!