All the News About Denver’s Best Residential Community Since 1960 • Volume 60, Issue No. 6 • June 2021
Colorado Village Collaborative Executive Director Cole Chandler, with little Seeger, at the current Safe Outdoor Space in Uptown. The community will relocate to Park Hill in mid-June, through the end of the year.
Home, Sweet Home Safe Outdoor Space In Church Parking Lot To Provide Shelter To 40 Unhoused People Beginning June 14 Story and photos by Cara DeGette Editor, GPHN
continued on page 9
Summer in Park Hill means a return of our feathered neighbors as they make their annual migration back from winter getaways. This eye-catching strawberry-colored male Summer Tanager can be spotted in backyard gardens and in parks and open spaces, and in forest habitats. Check out other migratory birds who are settling back in Colorado for the season on page 10. Photo by Mark Silverstein
Inside This Issue
By Jean Ercolani Park Hill Garden Walk Organizer
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continued on page 14
Historic Gateway To City Park Gets $4.7M Facelift July 4 Parade Is Back, Celebrating Freedom And One Park Hill
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I recently had the pleasure of talking with three of the gardeners participating in the June 13 Park Hill Garden Walk. We walked through their gardens as we discussed their love and knowledge of gardening. It was fun to see aspects of each gardener’s personality reflected in the garden space they have created. These gardeners were quite humble about their creations. Each offered unique and interesting features in their outdoor space. For example, James Marquez and David McCreedy have made more than 40 hypertufa troughs that bring character and interest to the yard. The troughs look like cement, but they are made of a combination of cement, peat moss and vermiculite, making them much lighter and easier to move. They also incorporate items such as sushi dishes and other small decorative glass elements to bring more visual interest to these planters and their garden. They have also created a garden with more than 1,000 Park Hill types of plants, resulting in flowers 10 months out of the Garden Walk year — in Colorado! The only months they don’t have something blooming are December and January. Kirstin Hoagland and Jericho Dorsey have not only created a unique space from nothing, they did this with water conservation in mind. Their lawn area is comprised of Dog Tuff Grass, a grass that is resistant to dog urine. They marked off their lawn area into one-foot
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Gardeners Share Tips, And Passion, For Growing Things As They Ready For June 13 Garden Walk
GPHN Wins Eight First Place Awards, Honored For Excellence In News, Photos, Design
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Sign on display at the current Safe Outdoor Space community at 16th Avenue and Pearl Street.
The Nitty Gritty
Gardener James Marquez, in the side garden. Photo by David McCreedy
Welcome, Summer
PAGE 2
On June 14, the Park Hill United Methodist Church parking lot will become an authorized Safe Outdoor Space for six months, providing tents and a vast array of support services to 40 people who currently have no home. The project, coordinated by the organization Colorado Village Collaborative, has drawn a phalanx of supporters who are readying to help set up the site, provide meals and supplies, and volunteer. The organization, as well as the church that is hosting the safe outdoor space, was undeterred by a lawsuit that tried to stop the project from moving forward. The suit, filed by a handful of neighbors, was dismissed last month.
Plaintiffs argued that the site, in a primarily white area of the neighborhood with high-end homes, lacks resources, including access to stores, restaurants and public transportation. They also alleged the site would lack adequate security measures to protect children and staff at the preschool that operates at the church. The suit also claimed the tent community will reduce the number of available parking spots at the church, which shares its space with Temple Micah, and make it difficult for nearby residents and their guests to find parking spots on Sundays. During a public meeting held via Zoom in April, the lead plaintiff in the lawsuit, Kurt Monigle, threatened to block the project, and asked Colorado Village Collaborative Executive Director Cole Chandler to find another location.
“If we lose we will make your life miserable the entire time,” said Monigle, who lives on 17th Avenue Parkway several blocks away. The other plaintiffs live on the block of Glencoe Street nearest the church. The lawsuit drew national media attention, in part because it was the first of its kind, and in part because its optics are in conflict with Park Hill’s long history of progressive politics and social activism. In the early 1960s, church Pastor J. Carlton Babbs was a founding member of the Park Hill Action committee, working to integrate the neighborhood. When the suit was first announced, the Colorado Village Collaborative issued a statement vowing to move forward, which read in part: “The plaintiffs suggest that a lack of existing services, public transportation, existing unhoused individuals, and the presence of children and families make Park Hill an unfit neighborhood for our unhoused neighbors to call home. “These are precisely the kinds of wellfunded arguments we have heard before in efforts to advance and protect various forms of segregation and oppression throughout our nation’s history. When given the option, time and again, some groups of powerful individuals seek to choose their neighbors along lines such as class, race, religion, sexual orientation, and other forms of oppression. When the arc of justice has prevailed in these historic examples a clear and simple truth has been revealed: no one gets to choose who lives next door.” The lawsuit resulted in an outpouring of support from other neighbors for the Colorado Village Collaborative and the church.
East High After-Prom Was A Carnival To Remember
High School Sports Back In Action
Upcoming GPHC Meetings
Community meetings are currently conducted virtually on the first Thursday of each month. The next meeting is June 3 at 6:30 p.m. There is no meeting in July. Link to attend at greaterparkhill.org/ join-us/community-meetings/
GPHN Nets Eight First Place Awards Newspaper Honored For Work Done In 2020 By Cara DeGette GPHN Editor
trent nestman, d.d.S., m.S. park hill'S full-time
OrthOdOntic SpecialiSt 2206 Kearney St., 720-735-9800 www.nestmanortho.com
303-858-8100
We’re excited as all get-out that the Greater Park Hill News has brought home eight — count ‘em, eight! — first place awards for excellence in journalism last month. Our small-but-mighty staff and talented freelancers also won two second and one third place awards. The awards — from Top of the Rockies regional and Colorado Press Association statewide competitions — are for stories and photos that were published during 2020. The Top of the Rockies is sponsored by the Colorado Society of Professional Journalists and includes all news media in a four-state region. The CPA awards include accredited news organizations in Colorado. Over the past year we’ve been thrilled to see so many readers and advertisers re-embrace community journalism, realizing its critically important role in a thriving democracy. That, for us, is the biggest prize of all. Like many newspapers, last year proved to be a big challenge for us. Many of our advertisers suffered through the pandemic, which resulted in a drop in revenues for us. In November we launched a fundraiser to help make sure we can continue the tradition of delivering for free the news of the neighborhood. To date, more than 60 of you have donated nearly $5,000. The fundraising campaign continues — check out all the options at greaterparkhill.org/ newspaper/support/ Being recognized for excellence underscores our commitment to providing readers and advertisers with compelling, relevant, and interesting journalism. With that in mind, we extend our congratulations to all the winners in the competitions — including daily, weekly, television, radio, magazine and other monthly publications. The following is a list of our honors. (Check out greaterparkhill.com/2020winners for links to all the winning stories, packages and photos.)
Top of the Rockies First Place, News Column 1000 E 1st Ave #303 1101 S Josephine St FOR SALE $349,000 FOR SALE $1,198,000 Cherry Creek Condo Gorgeous Tudor Ann Torgerson Steve LaPorta
2315 Albion St SOLD! $985,000 Two Story Craftsman Steve LaPorta
1632 Pontiac St SOLD! $645,632 Charming 3 Bd|2 Ba Roberta Locke
Raw Politics by Penfield W. Tate III Submissions included columns delving into last summer’s Black Lives Matter demonstrations following the murder of George Floyd and historic police reforms in Colorado, as well as detailing the growing crisis of homelessness in Denver. First Place, Short-Form Feature
This House Has Seen It All by Cara
2215 York St U/C $1,195,000 Historic Bungalow Nina Kuhl
1545 Monaco Pkwy SOLD $832,200 Cape Cod Beauty Ann Torgerson
8 S Monroe St SOLD! $812,500 2 Bd|3 Ba Plus Loft Ann Torgerson
1955 Jasmine St SOLD! $752,000 3 Bd|2 Ba Tudor Roberta Locke
1808 E 29th Ave $1,895,000 Custom Home + ADU/Carriage House 6 BR | 5 BA and 1 BR | 1 BA ADU This beautiful French-inspired luxury home in historic Whittier neighborhood has views of the park & downtown. Call us today for details & your own personal showing. Nina Kuhl & Steve LaPorta
who we are Editor Cara Degette Manager Melissa Davis Art Director Tommy Kubitsky
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 Story Tips and Letters to the Editor: Cara DeGette; 720-979-4385, editor@greaterparkhill.org Advertising information: ads@greaterparkhill.org
Nina Kuhl
303-913-5858
Steve LaPorta
303-525-0640
Roberta Locke
303-921-5842
Ann Torgerson
303-522-5922
Classified ads: Melissa Davis; 720-287-0442 (VM), newspaper@greaterparkhill.org Deadline for submissions is the 15th of every month
Page 2
DeGette — The story of the historic house at 26th and Clermont whose past owners include an early Denver developer, a lawyer who stood up to the KKK, and a famed Colorado mountaineer and inventor. First Place, Single Page Design
The Tour de Denver by Tommy Kubitsky and Reid Neureiter Ride Like A Legend: A 24-mile circumnavigation around the Mile High City. First Place, Feature Photography
All Lit Up by Reid Neuriter Photo essay showing Denver in all its holiday glitter. Third Place, Feature Photography
Looking for Smaug by Reid Neureiter — Lone Eagle Peak, in the Indian Peaks Wilderness, may be Colorado’s best hike.
Colorado Press Association First Place, Editorial Special Section
Diamonds and Rust by Cara DeGette, Tommy Kubitsky, Tracey MacDermott, Penfield W. Tate III, Jack and Pam Farrar When the Greater Park Hill News turned 60 years old last November, we highlighted six decades worth of chronicling a remarkable neighborhood, and the newspaper’s role in helping to shape events large and small. Accompanying columns highlighted the history of activists and their contributions over the years, and why community newspapers are critical to democracy. First Place, Business News/Feature Story
Fighting for Survival by Cara DeGette — A package highlighting how local businesses were immediately hit hard in the immediate months after the start of the pandemic. First Place, Photography Portfolio
Reid Neureiter’s Portfolio — Photos included a wide variety of photos, from high school sports and activities to shots of neighborhood life to outdoor adventures and wildlife. First Place, Sports or Sports Event Story
Sign Me Up by Reid Neureiter — A story highlighting numerous high school athletes and the colleges and universities who had signed them to play. Second Place, Series or Sustained Coverage
Park Hill’s Pandemic Past by Stephen J. Leonard — A two-part series revisiting the last pandemic to hit Denver — the Spanish Flu pandemic of 1918. Second Place, Page Design
The Tour de Denver by Tommy Kubitsky and Reid Neureiter 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
June 2021
Birdland | Mark Silverstein
Feeling overwhelmed by Denver’s real estate market? We’re here for you and we’ll happily share our insights and strategies to help you successfully navigate the market and protect your best interests.
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In the summer months, when they are in breeding mode, Eared Grebes sport golden wisps that fan out from behind their bright red eyes as they dance and dive and run across the water in elaborate courtship displays. These small waterbirds breed in shallow wetlands in western North America and head by the hundreds and thousands to salty inland waters to feast on brine shrimp before heading farther south. This Eared Grebe was spotted in mid-May at Bluff Lake just east of Park Hill — an uncommon sighting. Photo by Mark Silverstein
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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.
Anastasia Williamson lives and works in Park Hill. She loves this neighborhood for its architectural and cultural diversity. That kind of expertise qualifies her as a true Park Hill resident expert. It’s why Anastasia ranks as one of Park Hill’s most successful Realtors. Clients know her expertise translates into top dollar for their properties.
With every home I sell in Park Hill in 2021, I’ll make a contribution to the Greater Park Hill Community
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1649 Bellaire St • $601,700 3 Bed | 2 Bath | 1,544 SqFt Charming Bungalow
1840 Monaco Parkway • $1,153,000 5 Beds | 4 Baths | 2,954 SqFt English Tudor
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1648 Bellaire • $870,000 4 Beds | 3 Baths | 3,136 SqFt Modern & Classic Bungalow
Anastasia’s Park Hill SOLDS Speak For Themselves! 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 1638 Clermont St 2810 Bellaire St 2605 Fairfax St 2677 Ash St 2560 Birch St
June 2021
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 2861 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 2845 Cherry St 2947 Clermont St 3035 Bellaire St 2670 Grape St 2655 Elm St 1418 Grape St 2680 Ash St
The Greater Park Hill News
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
• Top Park Hill Realtor • Over 20 years Real Estate experience • 21 year Park Hill Resident
Page 3
City Park News Briefs
From left, City Councilwoman Candi CdeBaca, Denver Parks and Recreation Manager Allegra “Happy” Haynes, and incoming East High Principal Terita Walker at the restoration of the Sullivan Gateway. Photo by Sandy Robnett
Historic Gateway Restored
On Thursday, May 6, Denver Parks and Recreation celebrated the restoration of City Park’s Sullivan Gateway, which faces Colfax Avenue at the end of the Esplanade through the East High campus. DPR refurbished both the east and west lions head fountains, including new mechanical and electrical work to make them operational. The historical terra cotta walls adjacent to the fountains were rehabilitated, as well as the terra cotta crescent drive and walls. The $4.7 million project also included improving the surrounding landscape. Happy Haynes, Manager of DPR, thanked the History Colorado State Historical Fund for a $200,000 grant that helped kick off the project, and East Angel Friends and Alumni Foundation for a $1,500 donation. She acknowledged East High School current Principal John Youngquist, and incoming Principal Terita Walker, who both attended the event. She also thanked the Registered Neighborhood Organizations and strong park advocates City Park Friends and Neighbors, City Park Alliance and Greater Park Hill Community, Inc, among others. The Sullivan Gateway was built in 1917 as an impressive and grand entry to the City Park Esplanade, strongly influenced by the City Beautiful Movement. But the history of this land stretches back well beyond that time, and Haynes honored and acknowledged that the land is the traditional ter-
ritory of the Ute, Cheyenne, and Arapaho peoples, and 48 contemporary tribal nations that are historically tied to the lands that make up the State of Colorado. “We have waited a decade for the renewal of the Sullivan Gateway to be completed,” said Haynes, herself an East High alum. “The enhancements that have been made allow our children, our families, and our entire community to enter their experiences here with an even greater appreciation and pride in this space and joy in exploring the great city of Denver.” Before the restoration, the walls were in such bad condition that Colorado Preservation Inc. listed it on their list of endangered places. Because of the Gateway’s significance, the walls had to be restored appropriately, with the right products and materials, to bring back their historic appearance. After testing in their shop yard, the masons found graffiti cleaning products and anti-graffiti coatings that worked without damaging the historic terra cotta. Councilwoman Candi CdeBaca noted that the Sullivan Gate is “the physical structure that welcomes everyone into City Park, one of the few places left where those who have been displaced in a rapidly unaffordable city can still feel like they are home.” Check out tinyurl.com/SullivanRestoration for additional information about the project, including “before” and “after” photos.
The day the colored stakes came out, and went to new homes. Photo by Georgia Garnsey
Venues under their “P.S. You Are Here” program, a neighborhood revitalization effort. With the help of volunteers, the Palmeris planted 6,000 painted gardening stakes into the seed beds of the Lily Pond, created in 1924 by landscape architect Saco de Boer. The artists painted the stakes in different
— Georgia Garnsey
There Goes The Awning
— Maria Flora
Golf Tourney Set For June 28
The First Annual City Park Alliance Golf Tournament will be held at City Park Golf Club the morning of Monday, June 28. The day of golf will include an innovative approach to the “longest drive,” and hole-inone contests. Register to play at cityparkalliance.org. Sponsorship opportunities are available. The tournament proceeds will be used to assist in funding City Park improvement projects, such as accessibility for pedestrians and bicyclists. Funds raised will go to First Tee scholarships and to reinvigorate efforts to improve the aesthetics of the Denver Zoo’s Gate 15 near the Pavilion. City Park Alliance is a registered 501(c)3 nonprofit organization comprising board members whose memorable experiences in City Park are eclipsed only by their dedication to preserving and improving the park experience for others. — Pat Maley
Color Field Lives On
Lions Head Fountain facing Colfax Avenue, part of the Sullivan Gateway. Photo by Sandy Robnett
colors on both sides so that as park-goers walked around the beds they would get a sense of movement as well as luminous color. The colors were inspired by the colors of Monet’s water lily paintings, the original inspiration of de Boer. On May 7, the Palmeris gathered at Color Field to de-install the exhibit. The sadness of dismantling what had become a landmark for park-goers was offset by the steady flow of people coming to retrieve free stakes to reinvent Color Field in their own landscapes. Louis Plachowski, who is one of the gardeners featured in this month’s Park Hill Garden Walk, has transplanted some of the stakes to his garden. Others will use their stakes to create their own artistic vision. Denver artist Darrell Anderson, a City Park Alliance board member, plans to fashion artworks that will be sold to benefit City Park at the CPA Golf Tournament in June. Fellow CPA board member Lawren Cary plans to make picture frames out of his stakes.
What had been a sad and lonely part of City Park became awash with shimmering color and life delighting park-goers over the past year. The Color Field art installation south of the Denver Museum of Nature and Science and near the near 17th Avenue Parkway, was the brainchild of Denver artists Sarah and Josh Palmeri. The installation was the recipient of a grant from Denver Arts and
In mid-May and without warning, the metal awning over the stretch of several businesses on the west side of Fairfax between 28th and 29 avenues came crashing down, pulling along with it bricks from the building’s facade. No one was hurt. Building owner Dean Brown, Jr. said recent heavy snows were likely contributing factors. At right, Cory Thomas of Hillside Barbers surveys the damage. Thomas was thankful there were no customers entering or leaving the shop when the awning came down. But the episode was just one more headache he has had to endure during two years of ongoing noise and disruption as the residential/commercial Park Hill Commons project is being built directly across the street. Currently, bulldozers are also loud at work across the street from the barbershop, building what will eventually be a public park. “It’s just killing my business,” Thomas says. Photos by Cara DeGette
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The Greater Park Hill News
June 2021
RAW POLITICS | opinion
Big Ideas Take Shape
HaKala Family DentiStry Over a Decade of 5280 Top Dentist
Transportation, Insurance, Health Care In Play As The Colorado Legislature Takes A Final Lap For The Year By Penfield W. Tate III For the GPHN
We are slowly returning to normal — thanks to Coloradans wearing masks, social distancing and getting vaccinated. There are still, however, indicators of pandemic hangover. Like the legislative session that, again adjusted due to the pandemic, will come to an end June 12 rather than its usual first week of May. Important work has been done, but much remains. A few months ago, we previewed the Big Ideas at the Capitol, and transportation continues to be one. We talked about the passenger rail line authority previously — more on that in a moment — but Senate Bill 260 Concerning the Sustainability of the Transportation System brings added focus to the issue. As it passed out of the Senate on a party line vote and moved to the House on May 17, the 207-page measure does several things. It launches new sources of specific funding (approximately $3.7 billion in funding from new fees along with $1.5 billion in existing moneys). It creates four new state enterprises and modifies an existing enterprise. And, it expands the powers of transportation planning organizations. With new fees ranging from increased gas and diesel fuel fees, retail delivery fees (i.e., Amazon), passenger ride fees (Uber and Lyft), electric motor vehicle registration fees, and short-term vehicle rental fees we will all be contributing. In addition, we may see a measure on the November ballot to fund up to $1.337 billion of transportation revenue anticipation notes. And what will we receive for this funding and new structures? Incentives to promote the purchase and use of electric vehicles. The development of an electric vehicle charging station system. Incentives to electrify mass transit. More funding to repair bridges and tunnels. Enhanced planning, taking into consideration the environmental impacts of future transportation development, are interwoven throughout. And the development of a sustainable transportation system, that among other things, addresses inequities in access and the disproportionate impact of transportation development on Black and Hispanic communities. The bill has widespread support among various business and political organizations, on both sides of the aisle, outside of the Capitol. Under the dome, it has an uphill battle. Although many Republican legislators agree with the idea of increased road funding, alternatives like electronic vehicles and significant fee increases are historically the source of their opposition. Meanwhile the Front Range Passenger Rail proposal, Senate Bill 238, continues to steam forward with bipartisan support. Both 238 and 260 reflect a shift in the overall thinking of the people of the state and the legislature. In years past, the people of Colorado clamored for legislation to fund road and bridge repair, improvement and expansion to relieve congestion. Over time those desires expanded to include funding for multi-modal transit options, including rail, bike lanes and electric vehicles. But the fundamental disagreements between Democrats who supported the expanded funding goals, and Republicans who wanted funding limited to roads and bridges and no new taxes or fees, always prevented passage of any bill. Now it appears that the impasse may be weakening. We will see. Just as President Joe Biden has pushed and Democrats in Congress have passed more COVID-19 relief measures, Colorado is looking to pass legislation to implement the new federal measures. As we go to press, Gov. Jared Polis is planning a press conference to announce the legislation necessary to implement the federal measures. Unemployment relief, direct payments, small June 2021
The Greater Park Hill News
business relief and job creation measures are all likely to be included. Finally, the standoff over insurance and health care reform may be ending also. Two measures are moving forward with some bipartisan support. Senate Bill 169 looks to end known longstanding discriminatory practices in the underwriting and extending of insurance products. It will end discrimination in the application for insurance by enabling the state Insurance Commissioner to promulgate rules that prohibit discrimination on the basis of race, color, national or ethnic origin, religion, sex, sexual orientation or gender identity. This can be done by limiting the use of predictive models, algorithms, and “external consumer data and informational sources” including credit scores, social media habits, locations, purchasing habits, home ownership, educational attainment, occupation, licensures, civil judgments and court records. Proponents hope to effectively end “redlining” in the granting and the denying of various insurance products and the premiums charged for the same. Opponents acknowledge that the bill is headed toward passage and are now hoping to amend it to allow the use of information to support the granting of insurance coverage or lowering rates for deserving applicants. House Bill 1232, with 36 House and eight Senate sponsors, concerns the establishment of a Colorado Standardized Health Benefit Plan — the “state option” as seen in TV commercials. The measure is likely to pass the legislature solely on the votes of Democrats. Again, the opposition is looking to modify the bill in some respects to, from their perspective, make it less objectionable. The bill requires the Insurance Commissioner, after a community input process, to establish a standardized health benefit plan to be offered by health insurance carriers in Colorado. Although the bill contains details about how and when rates are to be set as well as the scope of coverage, the issue is not in the details but the very existence of the concept. Many uninsured in Colorado have been waiting for this moment, while many health insurance companies are adamantly opposed. More on that next month. Congratulations to our graduates. Everyone enjoy the start of summer and continue to stay safe. Penfield W. Tate III is an attorney in Denver. He represented Park Hill in the Colorado House of Representatives from 1997 to 2000, and in the State Senate from 2001 to February 2003. He lives in Park Hill.
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Community Announcements
city park
Colorado BLVD.
montview BLVD.
Closure began May 17 Full closure for 4-6 months
closed
e. 17th ave. pkwy
sure occurred at the same time that a stretch of 14th Avenue was also closed for a separate project. “It is complete gridlock in the south City Park area,” wrote one. “This is going to be a long six months.” For additional information, check out https://tinyurl.com/ DenverClosure
Park Hill Art Fest June 5 & 6
albion st.
jackson st.
Approximately 80 artists will feature their work in all batavia pl. mediums in the Park Hill Art Festival on June 5 and 6. The festival, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. each day, is on the grounds of the Park Hill Masonic Lodge, at Montview and Dahlia. The festival last spring was colfax cancelled in the midst of the Source: Denver Department of Transportation & Infrastructure pandemic, but founder Darren Skanson moved forward with the event last fall — and reported a tremendous turnout while folHeadache Ahead: 6-Month lowing guidelines for safe gatherings. The spring show will feature returning Traffic Jam On 17th Ave. as well as new artists, including the phoThe dawn of Monday, May 17 ushered in tography of Randall Koepsell, oil painter a new era of road closures that will require David Harms, Fort Collins drawing artist creative navigation and extreme patience Nha Vuu, California artist Paul Nzalamba for Park Hill drivers for the next four to and fiber artist Autumn Tenyl. six months. For additional information, check out 17th Avenue is fully closed for two blocks the Park Hill Art Festival on Facebook. at Colorado Boulevard west to Jackson Read an interview with Skanson from the Street and will remain closed possibly April issue at greaterparkhill.org/newsthrough November depending on weathand-opinion/fight-chaos-be-hopeful/. er. Detour signs are posted. In addition, beginning in September, the project will cross Colorado Boulevard and close off the Jazz Is Back In City Park stretch east to Albion Street. After a summer of silence in City Park, The roads are closed as the city installs a City Park Jazz is back , with Sunday night new stormwater pipe to provide additional shows beginning June 13. capacity to carry and drain stormwater, City Park Jazz started in 1986, routinely designed to reduce flood risks in South drawing between 8,000 and 12,000 people Park Hill. The existing storm sewers in E. on Sunday evenings for the free summer 16th Ave. and Batavia Pl. are currently unconcerts. The shows couldn’t go on through dersized to adequately convey stormwater the pandemic last year, but the 2021 linelevels. According to the city, the construcup comprises a who’s who of Denver’s jazz tion includes installing a new stormwater scene. The concerts are at the City Park Papipe beneath Colorado Boulevard which vilion, and start at 6 p.m. with the excepwill connect to the current the stormwater tion of the June 20 show, which starts at 5 system at City Park Golf Course. p.m. Here’s the schedule: In addition, work includes roadway re• June 13: The Burroughs configuration and traffic signal changes at • June 20: Brass Band Extravaganza with the intersection of East 17th Avenue and Otone, Tivoli Club Brass Band and GuerColorado Boulevard, as well as safer crossrilla Fanfare ings for pedestrians and cyclists. During the construction, there will be • June 27: Annie Booth Big Band some changes to RTD’s Route 20. Visit the • July 4: Purnell Steen & the Five Points RTD website for details. rtd-denver.com/ Ambassadors app/alerts/routes/20 • July 11: SUCH You can sign up to receive weekly project • July 18: Chris Daniels with Freddi Gowdy updates, or email with questions or con• July 25: Celebrating Denver Jazz Heritage cerns at info@16thavestorm.com. The projwith the El Chapultepec All Stars, featurect hotline is 720-627-7441, where you can ing Tony Black & Freddy Rodriguez Jr. get weekly updates, leave a voicemail or text with questions or concerns. • Aug. 1: Nelson Rangell Comments on local social media pages • Aug. 21: Cast Iron Queens in the days immediately following the May For more information, check out cityp17 closure indicated that drivers were not arkjazz.org pleased so far — especially because the clo-
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AARP Looking For Leaders
AARP is accepting nominations for its 2021 Colorado Andrus Award for Community Service, which honors 50-plus Coloradans who are sharing their experience, talent and skills to enrich the lives of their community members. Nominations will be evaluated based on how the volunteer’s work has improved the community, reflected AARP’s vision and mission, and inspired other volunteers. The application deadline is July 15 and the award recipient will be announced in early fall. Community Service nominees must meet the following eligibility requirements: • 50 years or older • The achievements, accomplishments or service on which the nomination is based must have been performed on a volunteer basis, without pay. Volunteers receiving small stipends to cover the costs associated with the volunteer activity are eligible. • The achievements, accomplishments or service on which the nomination is based must reflect AARP’s vision and purpose. • The achievements, accomplishments, or service on which the nomination is based must be replicable and provide inspiration for others to volunteer. • Couples or partners who perform service together are also eligible; however, teams are not eligible. • This is not a posthumous award. Contact AARP Colorado at coaarp@aarp.org for further information and a nomination form.
Celebrating Juneteenth
Denver’s Juneteenth Festival is back, after having to skip last Scene from Denver’s 2019 Juneteenth parade in Five Points. year’s in-person celebrations File photo by Julius Garrido during the pandemic.
June Community Meeting Agenda Thursday, June 3 at 6:30 p.m. Link to attend via Zoom at greaterparkhill.org/join-us/community-meetings/ Community Meeting Agenda
6:30 p.m. Welcome – Tracey MacDermott, Board Chair 6:35 p.m. Community Update – Lana Cordes, Executive Director 6:45 p.m. Police Update - Heidi Lewis, Community Resource Officer, DPD 6:55 p.m. Open floor – community comments and announcements
Board Meeting Agenda 7:10 p.m. Approval of Meeting Minutes – April, May 7:15 p.m. Letter of Support for 2875 Albion (presentation in May) 7:25 p.m. Open floor – board issues
Notices from the City & County of Denver Notice of Liquor License Application Applicant: Blazing Chicken Shack II Business Address: 5560 E. 33rd Ave. Business File Number: 2021-BFN0002441 Liquor License Type: Hotel and Restaurant Virtual Hearing: June 8 at 9 a.m.
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A number of events are scheduled in Denver this year to commemorate Juneteenth, the oldest known celebration commemorating the ending of slavery in the United States. On June 19, 1865, Union soldiers, led by Major General Gordon Granger, landed at Galveston, Texas with the news that the war had ended and that the enslaved were now free. (Note that this was a full twoand-a-half years after President Lincoln’s Emancipation Proclamation – which had become official January 1, 1863.) On Friday, June 18, a six-hour Juneteenth Music Festival Livestream begins at 2 p.m., featuring an array of entertainment. The program can be viewed via social media platforms and on Denver Community Media channels Comcast 56 & 881HD. On Saturday, June 19, the Juneteenth Parade kicks off the Street Festival in Five Points, at 26th and Welton. The festival runs from noon to 8 p.m., and on Sunday from 2 p.m. to 8 p.m., and includes musicians, artists, and individuals of many genres and industries gathered to celebrate the importance of art, storytelling, liberation, and inclusion. Check out juneteenthmusicfestival.com for more.
Notice of Application for Certificate of Demolition Eligibility
Address: 1565 Colorado Blvd. The City and County of Denver, Community Planning & Development, has reviewed the property and found it has potential for landmark designation pursuant to Section 30-6 of the Denver Revised Municipal Code. The building will be posted for 21 days beginning on May 11, for a notice of intent to file a designation (“Notice of Intent”) to be brought forth. Notice of Liquor License Application
Applicant: Spinelli’s’ Specialty Wine & Spirits Business Address: 4615 E. 23rd Ave. Business File Number: 2021-BFN0002061 Liquor License Type: Retail Liquor Store Virtual Hearing was scheduled for May 26 Notice of Withdrawal of Application for Certificate of Demolition Eligibility
Address: 3435 Albion St. The property owner has withdrawn the Certificate of Demolition Eligibility application received by Landmark Preservation on March 16. This hereby ends the posting period for the property. (Check out last month’s issue for more on this property, which is one of Park Hill’s oldest standing homes and on the National Register of Historic Places: greaterparkhill.org/news-and-opinion/ news-in-brief-11/.) The Greater Park Hill News
June 2021
it a chance to revisit its mission as a community-building event. It’s a renewed opportunity to bring perspective on celebrations of freedom that have been highlighted since last summer’s racial justice protests — and the momentum for equity that the Black Lives Matter movement has brought to the forefront of our national consciousness. It also is a chance to consider the historical facts of racism in Park Hill, as well as the present-day struggle of gentrification and political polarization. And so, as always, the organizers will strive to build bridges with the entire community to make sure we can always call ourselves “One Park Hill.” This effort also brings with it a new name: The Park Hill Parade. While the event will continue to be held on July 4, the organizers feel the name change is important. “We recognize that not everyone feels they got their freedom on July 4, 1776,” says Bresler. “As celebrations like Juneteenth take their rightful place among the major U.S. holidays, we want our event to honor that ongoing struggle.” Make no mistake, the 2021 Park Hill Parade will still be a celebration of American values, just with a broader, more inclusive view on what those values are. And as for those dreams? “The same week that the City announced the lifting of event caps, I had a dream where Prince visited me and asked if I needed help planning this year’s parade. Of course, I said yes!” Bresler says. If that isn’t a sign, we don’t know what is. See you on the 4th, Park Hill!
Parade Dreams
July 4 Event To Celebrate Freedom; Emphasis On One Park Hill GPHN staff report
kicking the parade planning into gear.” This year, however, there was no planJustin Bresler has parade dreams. Like, ning to be done because there was, initially, actual dreams. no information from the City and County Bresler, who started the Park of Denver on whether outdoor events Hill Parade in 2010 with his family would get the green light. That all and some committed friends, also changed in April when the city anstarted having parade dreams soon nounced plans to allow for outdoor after. events of more than 5,000 people. “It happens without fail every And so, the Park Hill Parade is on! year,” he says. “They’re always After a year off, the neighborhood some variation of the same theme. The Park Hill event – and the largest Independence Like it’s the day before the parade Day march in the city – will once and I haven’t done anything. Or again roll, march, strut, twirl and it’s parade day and no one shows up, so I strum down 23rd Ave. between Dexter St. run around the neighborhood blowing a and Krameria St. on Sunday, July 4 startwhistle!” ing at 1:30 p.m. Registration is open on the Whatever the reason, the result is the parade website at parkhillparade.org. Parsame. ticipation is, as always, free. “That’s when I know it’s time to start The return of the parade also brings with
File photos from past Park Hill Fourth of July parades.
Parade
The 2021 Park Hill Garden Walk Is June 13 One Glorious Day, Eight Incredible Gardens, Endless Inspiration
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Eight spectacular gardens throughout Park Hill, including two in the Mayfair neighborhood will be featured in this year’s Garden Walk. Each garden offers unique elements and interesting characteristics that will likely inspire you to create something new in your own yard. Not only will you wowed by the gardens, you’ll also be able to enjoy the works of fourteen artists who will be featuring their talents throughout the gardens. Many artists will be painting en plein air, and all will have work for sale. Tickets are available now at https://parkhillgardenwalk.org/tickets/ for only $15, seniors (age 65+) are $12 and children under 12 are free. Tickets will be available the day of the event for $18. Advance tickets are also available at these retail locations. • • •
City Floral: 1440 Kearney Street Spinelli’s Market: 4621 E. 23rd Ave. Cake Crumbs: 2216 Kearney Street
• •
Park Hill Community Book Store: 4620 E 23rd Ave. Ace On The Fax: 7100 E Colfax Ave.
A Special “Thank You” To Our Sponsors
Natalie Hengel
June 2021
The Greater Park Hill News
Page 7
A brief ride on the mechanical bull.
Step Right Up
East High After-Prom Was A Carnival To Remember Story and photos by Reid Neureiter For the GPHN
One of the 2020 victims of the COVID-19 pandemic was Denver East’s unique tradition of the after-prom party organized by the parents of the graduating class. Normally, the East after-prom event has a set theme and is months in the making. An organizing committee of parents sign up dozens of volunteers for fund-raising, food donations and delivery. They build booths and stalls and transform the East High School building for one night into a whimsical playground where graduating seniors can enjoy a safe, substance-free night of celebration. The event was cancelled last year. But this year, on Saturday, May 15, the parents of the East Class of 2021 were not to be deterred by either the pandemic or the predicted threat of high winds and thunderstorms. They produced an outdoor affair for the ages. Tents, plastic sheeting and remarkable hand-built decorations transformed the East student parking lot into a combination of Funhouse, Alice’s Wonderland and circus performance space. The East athletic field itself was remade into a “Big Backyard” with inflatable games, a headphonebased silent concert/dance space, karaoke, giant Jumanji sets, spikeball and tether ball courts, plus a “Chapel of Love.” With an overall theme of “Carnival,” the outdoor extravaganza featured, among other things, fortune tellers, magicians, an elaborately made-up Red Queen and Mad Hatter, fire-jugglers, aerialists, stiltwalkers, plus all the free pizza, popcorn, soft drinks and other treats the graduating seniors could consume. There were a series of boardwalk-like stalls with carnival games, a giant papiermache elephant, as well as a mechanical bull — which no student was able to stay on for
Entering the East High School Carnival.
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Playing roulette in the casino.
Welcome to the Funhouse.
more than a few seconds. Parents dressed in carnival-themed costumes, some as clowns, others as ringmasters. Perhaps the most popular area with the students was the casino, with blackjack tables and a roulette wheel manned by parent and faculty volunteer dealers and students playing for chips they could cash in for prizes. Despite the lifting of the mask mandate just days before the event, appropriate infection-safety protocols were respected, with all students and volunteers required to wear masks. Students were allowed into the various entertainment areas in staggered limited-number groups, all moving in the same direction so as to limit overcrowding. The party started at 10 p.m. and was scheduled to last until 3 a.m. As per tradition, volunteer parents from the junior (rising senior) class of 2022 were responsible for breaking down the sets on Sunday morning. Graduating seniors play inside giant, inflatable spheres.
A hired magician performs card tricks.
Esmerelda tells a fortune.
Parents as the Red Queen and Mad Hatter.
A fire-juggler performs.
The Greater Park Hill News
June 2021
Home Sweet Home, continued from page 1 “Given the rancor (and frankly some of people in Denver are without permanent hostility) I’ve observed in regard to the SOS homes. An official count in 2020 showed residents, how will the neighborhood enthat 1,000 people are on the streets on any sure that we will work to keep residents free given night. The pandemic has served to from harassment?” asked Terrell Curtis in displace even more people, experts say. one social media post. “What are we willing The Safe Outdoor Space is unlike the to do as a neighborhood to ensure that [the unauthorized tent communities that have new residents] are treated spread across downtown respectfully?” and into the Uptown and Two neighbors, Nina Congress Park neighborCashman and David hoods, as well as many othFine, expressed support er areas of Denver over the during a May 13 compast year. Rather, the SOS munity meeting held via includes high quality, uniZoom. formly spaced tents with “It’s good to see an cots and electricity for heat actual innovation that and fans. There are portis finally addressing a o-potties on site, garbage real issue in this city,” cans, shower and laundry said Cashman. “I’m exservices and meals. The cited to see how it works, residents have access to and hopeful that it does. health and other support Much better idea than services. The entire site is random camping (which enclosed with a fence, and is what I thought this was it requires a passcode to at first). Well done, folks. Colorado Village Collaborative staff- enter. The program is deOfficially cheering you ers Harrison Edwards and Cuica signed to help both recent Montoya. on.” and chronically homeless “We … believe that every wealthy neighpeople transition to permanent housing. borhood, like ours, should do its part,” The site will remain operational through wrote Fine, who lives about two blocks the end of the year. away. “We are confident we will all be fine Since December, the Colorado Vilduring and at the end of the project and lage Collaborative has hosted two similar we hope that a few of the project’s residents temporary Safe Outdoor Space projects in will have found permanent housing.” church parking lots close to downtown. Tracey MacDermott, the chair of Greater Numerous officials, including Denver poPark Hill Community, Inc., hopes neighlice and neighborhood organizers, have rebors will rally and make the program a ported no increase in criminal complaints great experience for everyone. “We have or other problems in those locations. Tradone it before in Park Hill; hopefully we vis Leiker, chair of the Capitol Hill United can do it again.” Neighborhood association, said that many The program is designed to address the people in the area were initially wary — growing crisis of homelessness in Denver, much like those in Park Hill. Many of the which is part of a national trend. Thousands initial critics, he says, are now supporters.
How To Get Involved Timeline and Resources For The Safe Open Space • May 28: Fencing will be installed around the site in the parking lot • May 31-June 13: The site will be set up • June 14: Planned date for welcoming first residents • Dec. 31: Site closes Many neighbors have expressed interest in being involved in the project as it moves into the next phases. Check out these links if you are interested in volunteering or donating supplies: • Park Hill Volunteer Sign Up: tinyurl.com/SOSvolenteer • Park Hill Meal Train: tinyurl.com/SOSmealtrain
• Park Hill Amazon Wish List: tinyurl.com/SOSamazonwishlist
BRING YOUR OWN BAG AND KEEP YOUR CHANGE. Starting July 1, 2021, remember to bring your own bag when you shop. All retail stores will charge $0.10 for each plastic or paper bag provided at checkout.
YOU CAN HELP: Reduce Waste Prevent Litter Protect Rivers and Streams DenverGov.org/BringYourOwnBag 311 (720-913-1311)
Sign on the fence that surrounds the current Safe Outdoor Space community at 16th Avenue and Pearl Street.
CHRIS
MERMAN
June 2021
The Greater Park Hill News
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Earth In Crisis | opinion
Colorado At The Crossroads
It’s Time To Send A Clear Message To Polluters: Not Here, Not Now, No More, Not Ever By Tracey MacDermott
The Horizon oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico in April of 2010 was the largest marine oil spill in history. In all it spewed 4.9 milLast month a fight ensued between Demlion barrels into surrounding waters, covocratic lawmakers and Colorado Gov. Jarering nearly 68,000 square miles and killed Polis over his threat to veto Senate Bill ing 11 people. 200, which proposes cuts to greenhouse gas And then there is the British Petroleum emissions. The bill not only creates a set of case of 2014, in which a federal judge ruled rules to enforce the governor’s roadmap for BP guilty of gross negligence and reckless meeting emission reduction targets, it also behavior. The judge noted the company’s sets forth environmental justice goals. willful misconduct by operating its wells Gov. Polis has been based on poor decisions in favor of incremental and profit driven decirules and voluntary acsions. It is estimated “This is the governor’s tion. Democratic lawthat this disaster resultmakers in Colorado, roadmap. We’re just looking ed in $8.7 billion impact including Sen. Faith to codify it with actionable, to the economy, costing Winter, have argued up to 22,000 in jobs for that the state should not enforceable, equitable goals.” local residents. rely on private-sector We know that the — Colorado state Rep. action and instead the costs of not addressing Dominique Jackson government should dithe climate crisis are rect the path toward real. Among the obviemission reduction. ous impacts are those “This is the governor’s roadmap,” Demthat next generations will be forced to bear. ocratic state Rep. Dominique Jackson reYet when corporate profits and CEO payminded us. “We’re just looking to codify checks are in play, the future is not their it with actionable, enforceable, equitable priority. goals.” It is important to also highlight the work Environmentalists argue that putting being done by companies such as Patagopolicy into law sends a clear message to nia, Ben & Jerry’s and Boulder’s UpSlope polluters. When private industry has been Brewing. All are B Corp Certified Corporaleft to facilitate what is best for the environtions, designated to those who are dedicatment, it has not gone well. Here are a few ed to and achieve social and environmental recent reminders: performance. While these companies are Since 2000, there have been an estimatleading the way on sustainability efforts, ed 470 oil spills in the Peruvian Amazon, worker satisfaction and impact on commuwith more than nine billion barrels of oil nities, their work will be diminished if we wastewater released into the Amazonia do not place enforceable goals on polluters. watershed. Companies, such as Pluspetrol, The timeline to fix impending disaster blame third parties, including surroundfor our planet gets shorter every passing ing indigenous communities, for spills that day. Voluntary measures on oil and gas will have been connected to the degradation of not get the job done. COVID-19 showed us pipelines — their pipelines. These leaks and that we have the ability to reduce emissions. spills have impacted at least 41 indigenous It shouldn’t have taken a public health communities. While companies have been crisis for us to wake up, but there it is. fined, unfortunately the penalties have not Strong policy and leadership will help our been enough to drive action to repair the state reduce our pollution and climate leaking pipelines. warming gases. Does Gov. Polis want to In 2003, a suit was filed against the Nestle be remembered as Gov. Oil & Gas? I don’t Corporation for overpumping groundwathink so. Let him know you don’t want him ter into wetlands and streams in Michigan’s to remembered by that name, either. Great Lakes Basin. The company continued Tracey MacDermott is chair to pump during low flow periods, eventuof the board of Greater Park ally exposing the bottomlands. In 2009 Hill Community, Inc. She the group Michigan Citizens for Water was trained as a Climate Conservation (MCWC) won in its effort to Reality Leader in 2017, and protect streams, wetlands and aquifers, a is currently the Statewide clear demonstration that private corporaCo-Chair of the Climate tions should not be allowed to drain a basic Reality Project for the 100% human need, water. Committed Campaign. For the GPHC
Double-crested Cormorants are gangly, prehistoric-looking black fishing birds with yelloworange facial skin and sparkling aquamarine-colored eyes. They return to Colorado In March to breed, and can be spotted around fresh and salt water lakes, including at the rookery in the middle of Duck Lake in City Park and in Belmar Lake west of Denver, where these photos were taken.
The State Of The Birds America’s birds are in crisis. This is not breaking news. The North American Bird Conservation Initiative (NABCI) reports that in the last 50 years, nearly 30 percent of all North American birds have disappeared, as their habitats have been destroyed. Research recently published in the journal Science shows massive losses among U.S. bird populations—with steep declines in every habitat. A 2019 analysis of all 1,154 bird species in Canada, the U.S., and Mexico identified 432 species that meet the criteria for the Watch List. However, as NABCI and other experts note, success stories are showing that recovery is possible. The example of the Bald Eagle — the national bird of the United States — is often cited. In 1970 only a few hundred Bald Eagle pairs remained in the lower 48 states. Federal and state protections sparked a remarkable recovery. The Bald Eagle was delisted as an Endangered Species in 2007, and today 30,000-plus eagle pairs live in the U.S.A. — including in Denver. “We can achieve similar successes with other precious species,” according to NABCI. Read the organization’s 2019 report at stateofthebirds.org/2019/. It includes ways scientists, government agencies, and regular people are working to turn the declines around. — Photographs by Mark Silverstein
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Western Tanagers are showy and beautiful, and have shown steadily increasing populations since 1970. Still, it is considered an uncommon bird to see at Bluff Lake east of Park Hill, where this one was photographed in mid-May. Western Tanagers are one of many species connecting temperate forests in the western U.S. and Canada with tropical dry forests in the Pacific lowlands of Mexico and Central America.
Another uncommon sight at Bluff Lake are these Red-Necked Phaleropes, who were also photographed in mid-May. Red-Necked Phalaropes are fairly small gray and reddish shorebirds with needle-thin bills who are known for spinning frantically on water to stir up small invertebrates. Unlike most breeds the females are brighter than the males. These shorebirds are on their way all the way to the Arctic, where they will breed.
The Greater Park Hill News
June 2021
Time To Make Park Hill Beautiful Neighborhood-Wide Alley Cleanup Is June 5 By Jon Bowman Board Member, GPHC, Inc.
It is time for some spring cleaning, neighbors. This is a chance to get out and meet up with folks down the block. That’s right, it’s time to take it to the alley. Greater Park Hill Community, Inc. is sponsoring the Great Alley Clean-Up of 2021 on Saturday, June 5. Here are a few details: Who: You and neighbors on each side of your alley if you have one. If not, commit to cleaning the curbs, sidewalks and streets in front of your house. What: It’s been a long winter inside. Get outside with rakes and brooms in hand, to pick up a year’s worth of alley stuff that has gathered along fences. When: Saturday June 5, 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Where: In your alley all over Park Hill, between Colorado Boulevard and Quebec Street, from Smith Road to Colfax. Why: For Park Hill the Beautiful, we are using this effort to give our neighborhood a solid Spring cleaning! To help rid the bad ju-ju of the past year.
The week of June 7 marks the city’s next large item pick-up throughout the neighborhood, so the timing is perfect to get our neighborhood sparkling clean and get the accumulated trash hauled away.
Denver, it’s time to empty the trash. This overflowing mess was spotted on Fairfax Street across from Park Hill Commons. Photo by Cara DeGette
Milk Jugs To Patios How One Person’s Trash Becomes Another’s Treasure By Mark Kuhl
where they are processed back into raw material for companies that make toilet paper, tissues, and paper towels. Most people agree it feels good to reIn Colorado, Applegate Insulation cycle. Many are curious about how one’s turns yesterday’s newspaper into spraytrash becomes another one’s treasure. on insulation. Momentum Recycling The recycled materials industry is cleans, refines, and sorts your glass botfluid, responding to the ups and downs tles in Broomfield and sells the material of supply, demand, and price. Your used to Colorado glass bottle manufacturers. milk jug may one day be routed Ball Corp. in Broomfield buys used to Trex, which uses these aluminum to create new beer S KUH ’ T and plastic grocery bags to and soda cans. make faux wood patio deck Product manufacturers are boards. The next day a milk paying attention to the growjug may sold to a toy coming public interest in reducpany. Your PET soda bottles ing waste and are utilizing O L RECYC often make their way to carmore recycled materials. Adpet-making companies in Georditionally, federal and local govgia. PET is also used to make new ernments are beginning to incentivize bottles and is often spun in to polyester recycling, so expect more recycling opyarns used for a variety of products, inportunities in the near future. cluding Patagonia fleeces, Adidas shoes, Mark Kuhl is an environmental adand the NORDEN brand Matias jacket vocate who lives in Park Hill with his made from 98 percent recycled bottles. family. His handy tips and news about Paper mills across the country gobrecycling household items appear every ble up our spent office paper and cormonth in these pages. A directory of his rugated boxes, turning them to pulp past columns for recycling everything and remaking them into new paper from paint to Styrofoam to shoes is at products. Milk cartons and paper cups greaterparkhill.org/sustainability/ tossed in to your purple bin are baled recycling-directory/. and shipped to Sustana in Wisconsin,
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The Greater Park Hill News
Page 11
Ed/Equity Corner | opinion
The Beautifully Different Brain Identifying Dyslexia Should Be The Norm, Not The Outlier By Erin Pier
qualified for special education. Despite an undergraduate degree in special education, and a four-year masters degree in school psychology, none of My daughter’s brain operates in a beautimy training had prepared me to recognize fully different way from mine. the signs and symptoms of dyslexia in my She has an episodic memory that allows daughter. I had misunderstood dyslexia to her to recall what dress I wore to a birthbe a disorder that causes letter reversals, day party three years ago, or what artwork which is a common, prevailing myth. hangs on the wall of a restaurant she visAccording to the International Dyslexia ited only once. She has an interesting way Association dyslexia is actually of associating names with im“...a specific learning disability agery; for example, my mother’s name, Kathryn, always makes “Dyslexia is only a that is neurobiological in origin. characterized by difficulher think of a sponge. gift if you are not Ittiesiswith accurate and/or fluent Her ability to think in images born poor.” word recognition and by poor and visualize what could be inspelling and decoding abilities.” spires incredible creativity. She Like me, many educators are has repurposed a dozen shiptaught little if anything about dyslexia. ping boxes into detailed doll spas, Japanese As a result, signs and symptoms are often grocery stores, and hotels with rooftop garmissed in the classroom until students fail dens. For Christmas last year, she gifted her their first standardized reading assessment dad an old jewelry box filled with Legos, in third grade. By then, students with dysalong with her own hand drawn blueprint lexia are often several grades behind their for how to assemble a ship of her own depeers in reading and writing. As their peers sign. begin reading to learn, students with dysMeltdowns at the table lexia are still learning to read. Without aggressive, early intervention, Lucy’s ability to think outside the box is a children with dyslexia may be unable gift, but in kindergarten she started to show to overcome significant and persistent signs that her differently-wired brain strugachievement gaps, leading to anxiety, low gled with certain academic tasks. Writing self-esteem and disconnection from school. her four-letter name caused meltdowns at Ultimately, students with unidentified dysthe kitchen table. lexia have lower high school graduation She loved being read to, but rarely read rates, higher levels of unemployment, and alone, and had a very low frustration tolerlower post-secondary attainment. ance for sounding out words. She struggled Worse yet, while dyslexia presents in 20 to identify letters of the alphabet. She was percent of the general population, it’s found performing below grade level in reading, to exist in over 48 percent of those who are but I wasn’t worried. She was one of the incarcerated. youngest in her class, and I was sure she The National Institutes of Health has would catch up. found that dyslexia is identifiable from In first grade, the gaps between Lucy and age 5.5 years, with 92 percent accuracy. her peers were growing. Fortunately, her In 2017, a study published by the Journal amazing first grade teacher had recently of Educational Psychology found that stuattended a training on dyslexia, and recdents at risk for reading disabilities who ognized the signs in Lucy right away. She received intervention in first and second immediately set Lucy up with in-school ingrade made gains nearly twice that of chilterventions, and within a few months, she For the GPHN
Letters to the Editor Keep The Paper Coming To the Editor and Staff, I live in the Cheesman Park area of Capitol Hill so I don’t often have occasion to see copies of your neighborhood newspaper. But recently my wife and I came across a stack of your papers in a restaurant. Your paper looks good, with lots of neighborhood news. It is obviously supported by numerous neighborhood businesses. There are not many neighborhood newspapers that can boast 60 years of service to their community. You and the Greater
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Park Hill Community, Inc. are to be congratulated for your long service to your neighbors. I know how hard it is to produce such publications on a consistent basis over so many years. I founded Life on Capitol Hill in 1975 (when your publication was 15 years old) and published it for 19 years. My publication has since had four publishers and is now 45 years old. I firmly believe neighborhood newspapers are what make neighborhoods strong. May you continue to serve the good folks of Park Hill for many years to come. — Stuart MacPhail, Cheesman Park
dren who didn’t receive intervention until third grade. With early identification and intervention, the long-term effects of dyslexia can be mitigated. Unfortunately, the majority of children with dyslexia aren’t identified until fifth grade, with many students identified even later. In DPS, public concern regarding the lack of early identification has led officials to announce plans for a dyslexia screening pilot program this fall in several schools, however details have not been finalized.
Better learning for all Tayo McGuirk, a former DPS educator and Park Hill resident, is cofounder of DenCoKID, a grassroots organization that supports our community’s understanding of dyslexia and advocates for improved learning outcomes for all kids. “Even though there are decades of research out there that support reading instruction based on science and the systematic, developmental way our brains (and specifically, dyslexic learners) are wired to learn to read, many DPS schools still widely employ an outdated ‘whole language’ approach, an approach that fails students with dyslexia,” McGuirk says. The hesitancy for districts to change their approach to reading, she says, is likely due to the costs of purchasing new curricula, associated training, instructional coaching, and deep-seeded beliefs about how we’ve been teaching reading all along.
Dyslexia’s inequities When it comes to intervention, McGuirk says “schools with funds to purchase their own curricula and train their teachers are able to provide instruction in the general education classroom that meets the needs of all students, including those with dyslexia.” Additionally, “Dyslexic students from families with financial means can seek out specialized private tutoring, using the
Orton-Gillingham method.” At a rate of $100 an hour, two to three 2-3 times a week, however, this intervention is only available to those who can afford it. I asked McGuirk about the “gifts” of dyslexia, like those I see in Lucy. While she acknowledged that kids with dyslexia may be able to put together a 1,000-piece Lego set without directions, and has observed them to often be super athletes, artists, and musicians, she also passed along a quote: “Dyslexia is only a gift if you are not born poor.” Without means, not only are children less likely to be identified and effectively taught to read, but they are also less likely to have the opportunity to embrace their associated gifts. “You might not have a 1,000-piece Lego set laying around the house, or access to private art lessons, music lessons, or theater groups. You might not have resources to play expensive organized sports,” McGuirk says. ”So what good are the ‘gifts’ of dyslexia for these kids?”
Reading should not be a privilege My daughter’s experience with dyslexia should be the norm, not the outlier. Teachers should be equipped to identify the signs right away, schools should screen students to ensure no student is missed, and all schools should provide curricula rooted in the science of reading. While students will recognize their neurodivergence as a challenge, they should be guaranteed access to the support and tools necessary to also embrace their gifts. Reading shouldn’t be a privilege, and it’s long past time for that to change. For more information on dyslexia or to become more involved with local advocacy efforts, visit dencokid.com. Don’t forget to join us at 7 p.m. on June 9 for a virtual EdEquity Corner, where we’ll discuss how you can help move the needle toward equity in all our neighborhood schools. Register here: http://tinyurl.com/ edequityjune21 Erin Pier is a mother of three, a Stedman parent and school psychologist at AUL Denver. She is a member of Park Hill Neighbors For Equity In Education, which works toward diversity, equity, and inclusion in all schools in the neighborhood.
For 41 years I was a volunteer, mostly on Friday afternoons. Some of my most precious memories are of children and teens Re: Tracey MacDermott’s May Climate that wished for a used book, and I was able Crisis column, “When It Rains Plastic” to give them one. They were so happy to Nice column on the ubiquity of plastics. walk out with a book that they could keep Particularly these micro-plastics that can and read at their leisure. Also, from time be ingested or breathed in, is scary. The huto time, someone would come in and find bris that we can ignore the environmental the book they had been looking for and externalities of all our farming, manufaccouldn’t find anywhere turing, and disposal activities will else. Their smiles were the eventually lead to our downfall. best! — Bob Homiak, Park Hill From 1995 to 2002 I assumed the manager position. John Eberhardt Being Around Books (since deceased) would Re: Last month’s coverage of the buy obscure books and Park Hill Book Store’s 50th Annikeep them at the store versary to help increase our new I moved to Montbello in early book inventory. As they 1971. Since my best friends lived sold I would order them in Park Hill, it was natural for again. I was amazed at me to get involved there. When how many would be inthe bookstore was started I imterested and purchased mediately got acquainted with them. Just like John, I had its possibilities. My experiences Letter author Bettina Bahelp from many others, with macrame and pottery were sanow, at a bookstore party with suggestions or help fun but I realized that my talents circa 1980s in the many endeavors were elsewhere. that were required to keep the store open. In April of 1974 I was able to begin volI am happy that I helped the Park Hill unteering as a front-end sales person. My Bookstore succeed and congratulate it on youngest child came with me and I was its 50-year anniversary. thrilled to put in my hours doing what I enjoyed most, being around books. As — Bettina Basanow, Montebello a child and teen I read incessantly at my We love your letters, and give preference to home in Porto Alegre, Brazil. As if I sensed those that address an issue that has been that my future was going to be in the U.S. covered in the newspaper, or a topic that is I read many American authors in PortuPark Hill or Denver-specific. Join the conguese translation. After arriving in the U.S. versation and make your voices heard. Send in March of 1962 I read only in English. Haletters to editor@greaterparkhill.org, and inwaii was my first book. I only understood clude your full name, and the neighborhood about half of the story. But no matter. I in which you live. Deadlines are the 15th of persisted to the end and still remember how each month, for the following month’s issue. much I enjoyed it.
Breathing Plastic Is Scary
The Greater Park Hill News
June 2021
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RK HILL A P
www.parkhillartfestival.com
artwork by Paul nzalamba. ray agenbroad. david harms. come and meet them at the show!
new dates June 5th • June 6th 10 am ~ 5 pm In the hIstorIc Park hIll neIghborhood
4819 e MontvIew blvd. denver On the grOunds Of the Park hill MasOnic lOdge
80 colorado and natIonally tourIng artIsts! Paintings, jewelry, sculPture, POttery & Much MOre! Admission $3. Proceeds benefit The Colorado Artist Relief Fund. we will Be fOllOwing all state and lOcal guidelines fOr a safe eVent
June 2021
The Greater Park Hill News
Page 13
open book | opinion
The Big Takeaways What I’ve Learned In One Crazy, Insane Weirdo Year By Anya Nitczynski For the GPHN
As the school year comes to a close, we’re forced to reflect on what a crazy year it’s been and I am no exception. From online school, to hybrid, to fully in person, this year has certainly been an experience. So what have I learned? For one, never to take things for granted. Something as simple and essential as school or social interaction can be taken away in a split second. I’ve learned how to navigate technology. I’ve learned how to understand people talking with masks on.
Perhaps the most shocking thing I’ve learned is that I’m . . . drum roll please . . . an introvert. Most importantly, I’ve learned to advocate for myself. Communicating during online school was kind of a nightmare and I learned that the only way to get answers to your questions is to ask. When we lacked physical conversation, we lacked understanding of each other. I had to relearn social skills and because of it, I’ve had a chance to reevaluate the way I act and talk in general. I’ve had a chance to restructure the way I look at communication. Going along with that, perhaps the most shocking thing I’ve learned is that I’m . . . drum roll please . . . an introvert. I’ve navigated pretty much my entire life under the impression that I am extroverted. Being forced to spend time with myself in this crazy, insane, weirdo past year or so has given me a chance to develop a liking for my own thoughts. I learned to prioritize myself, to care about myself, and that I need to continue doing so after the pandemic. I thrive off of connection with my peers, but I also thrive off of connection with myself. Another strange and kind of shocking thing that I learned through this year is who I want to keep close to me. The people who have been by my side and stuck with me through everything this school year are the people I want in my life permanently. I’ve made so many incredible friends and I couldn’t be more grateful for all of those people. I think I speak for most students when I say we’ve learned how to become more independent in our work. I’ve learned to force myself to focus and to have discipline, the kind I never really had before. Doing assignments and sitting in class at home was a liberating but frustrating experience. I never expected it would take a pandemic to learn these things, but here we are, and it did. I’m proud of the work I’ve put in, that others have put in. As we reach the light at the end of the tunnel, we enter a new, maskfree world where we can take and use the lessons we’ve learned throughout this year into the next one. Anya Nitczynski just finished 8th grade at Denver School of the Arts. Her column appears monthly in these pages.
Nitty Gritty, continued from page 1 squares and hand planted the grass plugs in each square. It requires very little water even in the hottest months, and stays green all summer with no yellow or dead spots. They are also very resourceful in finding free stuff. They also watch neighborhood pages on Nextdoor and Facebook for people getting rid of plants and other garden items. Other free resources they’ve used include Denver Digs Trees and the Denver compost program. Their yard includes fun features such as archways and yard art. Louis Plachowski has espalier fruit trees that are simply amazing. Espalier is a French word meaning the ancient agricultural practice of controlling woody plant growth to grow vertically for the production of fruit, which is odd because the tree is trained to grow branches horizontally in tiers. He has an apple tree in which each tier is a different variety of apple, and a pear tree that produces a different type of pear on each branch. Plachowski, who is also a local realtor, has built several impressive features around his yard. They include a small fish pond, a beautiful arbor and table made from beetlekill wood and artistic copper fencing and archways. I asked each of these gardeners about their love of gardening. Some grew up gardening, and others were inspired by professionals when trying to design their first garden. One grew up on a farm and although she had to be bribed by her mother to participate as a child, she eventually became more interested as growing her own vegetables became more important to her. Here’s a few other tidbits about their passion for gardening, in their own words: GPHN: What do you enjoy most about gardening? Marquez just loves being outside. He is the garden guru and can be found puttering around the yard all year long. He has spent countless hours studying not only plants native to Denver, but also regions around the world that mirror Denver’s weather and soil. This has resulted in having a large spectrum of plant species and their garden requires minimal water. In fact, they water by hand. Hoagland and Dorsey started with a blank slate when they bought their home. Now people, whether walking or in their car, constantly stop and talk with them about their yard and tell them to keep up
the good work. This gives them a strong sense of connection to the community. Plus, it’s clear that the evolution of their outdoor space from the beginning to now is significant, not to mention the evolution from spring blooms and buds to full summer growth. Plachowski is driven by the beauty and peacefulness of his garden. He likes to watch a little seed turn into something spectacular and watch all the birds and various animals come around to check out the plants. He also loves to cook and “there is nothing like fresh veggies from the garden.”
Louis Plachowski, in his Park Hill garden.
graph paper to plan your garden. Differentiate walking paths, flower beds, shrubs, trees, patio areas, etc. You also want to start small. Just focus on one section at a time. GPHN: Do you have a favorite area and This will help both financially and menwhat makes it special to you? tally. They also recommended plantselect. Marquez is a fan of the hell strip. This org for growing tips and help with identiarea has the most variety of plants and fying plants specific to the Rocky Mounchanges constantly. McCreedy is also a tain Front Range region. Lastly, buy a good fan of the hell strip, but also loves all the shovel.. other areas of the front yard. He can often Plachowski’ initial response to this quesbe found sitting on the front porch with a tion was “this is not Connecticut, don’t exgood book, overlooking the front yard. pect to have that look.” After a little chuckHoagland brought plants from her childle, he went on to say that you want to plant hood home near Green Bay, Wisconsin that things that work with Denver’s climate and mean a lot to her. She also has an Iris from soil. He also recommended the plantselect. her great grandmother that holds a special org website. place in her heart. Dorsey is particularly Plachowski offered his favorite quote, fond of the rocky area of the yard because from the great actress Aubrey Hepburn: of the colorful flowers in this space. “To plant a garden is to believe in Plachowski is fond of the hilltomorrow.” side and hell strip because nothing The Park Hill Garden Walk was able to grow there for years, committee is a group of volunteers but his fortitude paid off. After working to raise funds to support much trial and error, he learned the Greater Park Hill Community, to stop fighting nature and figured Inc. mission. GPHC is a volunteerout how to work with it instead. Park Hill based Registered Neighborhood GPHN: What tips do you have Garden Walk Organization that promotes the character and vibrancy of Park for someone wanting to start or Hill through its resources, information improve their outdoor space? and advocacy, while preserving the quality Marquez and McCreedy recommend the of life and the history of the neighborhood book The Undaunted Garden by Lauren through community participation. Springer. The book focuses on plants for Proceeds from the June 13 event go to weather-resilient beauty. They also recomsupport the work of GPHC, Inc. Check out mended walking around the neighborhood the Garden Walk ad on page 7 for all details and seeing what other people are having about how and where to purchase tickets. success with in their yards. You will be provided the addresses of parAs mentioned above, Hoagland and ticipating gardens once you buy tickets. Dorsey started with a blank slate. They suggest starting with a colored pen and
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The Medley
The Greater Park Hill News
June 2021
East Junior midfielder Jacob Gioia controls the ball against Ralston Valley during East’s comefrom-behind 8-3 Lacrosse season opening win on May 4.
Back In Action
Spring Brings On The East High Sports, And Then Some Story and photos by Reid Neureiter For the GPHN
The 2020-21 Colorado high school modified sports calendar saw the start of its fourth and final season in late April and early May. Because of the pandemic-delayed start, some of these championships will not be played until mid-June — well after the end of school. Denver East High sports being played in this so-called “D-season” include baseball, boys and girls lacrosse, girls soccer, boys swimming, girls tennis, and track and field. Also playing for the first time in more than a year is East boys rugby, a team with six state championships to its credit but which was prevented by DPS pandemic rules from having any preseason scrimmages against other schools.
Also posing a challenge for the rugby squad, its normal supply of football players who play rugby in the spring was limited because of the move of the East football season to the early spring and the football team’s success in making it to state semifinals (the Angels lost 6-3 to Boulder High on May 8). East teams with strong starts to the season include girls soccer, which started the season with three straight wins against DPS competition, defeating Kennedy, George Washington, and Far Northeast by a combined score of 18-0. Also starting strong is boys Lacrosse, which won its first two matches, including an exciting come-from-behind 8-3 victory against Ralston Valley on May 4 before dropping a nail-biting one-goal loss 14-13 to Colorado Academy on May 11.
East Junior forward Ellison Mucharsky-O’Boyle attacks the Far Northeast goal during East’s 8-0 home victory on May 13. Mucharsky-O’Boyle had a first-half hat-trick.
East Junior midfielder Tatum Mendelsberg controls the ball against Far Northeast on May 13.
East Senior midfielder Will Mattingly controls the ball against Ralston Valley on May 4.
Above and at right: East Angels Rugby versus Parker Titans on May 8
June 2021
The Greater Park Hill News
Page 15
THIS MONTH AT THE LIBRARY
Summer Adventures
Active Minds
Libraries
Active Minds transformed itself during the pandemic from in-person lectures to online. 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
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.
Self Directed Programs
Art Garage
We will not gather together for inperson programming, but we will still offer engaging opportunities for our youth and community. From June to August, young people will receive kits that contain activities to do at home. The kits will also allow kids to participate in virtual programs to extend their learning. Kits are first-come, first-serve at your nearest branch location. Furthermore, we have these three self directed outdoor programs for youth. Scavenger Hunt Challenge: If you enjoy exploring new places and games with clues, you’ll want to participate in our Scavenger Hunt Challenge. Complete any of the challenges and pick up a limited edition coin. For participating branch locations and instructions, visit denverlibraryadventures. org Compass Course Challenge: Find your own way and learn orienteering. You will be provided a compass that you can keep and instructions to help you find each checkpoint. To learn how to use a compass and for more information on participating branch locations, visit denverlibraryadventures.org Sidewalk Course: Do you like to skip, jump, run, and zoom around? Stop by your local branch location to complete a sidewalk course that will get you moving, learning and having fun!
6100 E. 23rd Ave., artgaragedenver. com, 303-377-2353. Check the website for schedules.
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.
Get Ready For A Rollercoaster Of Fun By Leslie Williams Pauline Robinson Branch Library
We are looking forward to serving you this summer in new and exciting ways. I sat down with our Summer of Learning Coordinator, Yanira Duarte, and she gave me the scoop.
Summer of Adventure The Summer of Adventure is Back. Youth, ages 0-18, are encouraged to participate in activities in three categories: Read, Make and Explore. Here’s what you do: • Visit any of our 26 locations • Ask to sign up for Summer of Adventure; the first day to register is May 25 • Receive a brochure (kids receive a prize just for signing up!) • Complete 15 activities • First day to receive the completion prize is June 25 • Last day to register is Aug. 13 and last day to pick up completion prize is Aug. 21
The Journey We know that being in front of the computer screen is tiresome and that summertime can be fun, but long. We’ve curated a list of activities for all ages around movement, outdoors, virtual and home so that
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you can discover new things to do this spring and summer. Visit denverlibraryadventures.org/journey to find fun activities that you can do or share with others.
Maker Challenge Do you make crafts, cook, garden and like to share photos of it on social media? Share your photos with us. The Maker Challenge allows you to share your creativity with other library users across the city. Every time you upload a new project you are automatically entered into a drawing for gift cards to local businesses. Visit denverlibraryadventures.org/makerchallenge for more information and instructions on how to upload your stuff. Well, there it is. We will have our annual Summer of Adventure programming, we will be open for browsing and checking out materials, and we are always open at denverlibrary.org.
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Greater Park Hill Resources
Denver Police District 2 3921 Holly St., 2.Dist@denvergov.org, non-emergency number is 720-9131000. For emergencies, dial 9-1-1.
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, June 3 at 6:30 p.m. Link to attend at greaterparkhill.org/join-us/community-meetings/. Check greaterparkhill. org for information and details to participate. There is no community meeting in July.
Northeast Park Hill Coalition
Park Hill Community Bookstore Established in 1971. Denver’s oldest nonprofit bookstore. Used and new books. 6420 E. 23rd Avenue. 303-3558508. 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 Saturday at 8 a.m. Register at taichidenver.com/beginner-tai-chi-zoomclass/. 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 and the Northeast Park Hill Bilingual Walk have been suspended until further notice.
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
June 2021
This Western Horse Fly is ready to ride, sporting an impressive handlebar mustache and chin puff combo. And those eyes! Definitely better to see you with. Western Horse Flies (genus Tabanus punctifer) are large and robust — nearly 3/4-inches long. Their bites can be painful, though they are mainly known to snack on horses and cattle. Only the females bite. This Western Horse Fly was photographed at Bluff Lake Wildlife Refuge by Park Hill photographer Mark Silverstein.
Annual Membership
Saddle Up
Registration
Bugland | Mark Silverstein
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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:
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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.
Park Hill VET
The Pandemic Puppy Party Is Over
Tips For Teaching Your Newest Family Member How To Be A Good Canine By Margot K. Vahrenwald, DVM, CVJ There was a pandemic puppy party, but now news and anecdotal reports show that the party is over. It was a bit inevitable. To be able to focus on the positive, bring joy during scary days and have the unconditional love of animal was wonderful when many were locked down in their homes for both work and school. The shelters and rescues literally ran out of dogs. But now as life returns to a new normal and many are no longer able to work and school from home, shelters and rescue groups are seeing a rapidly rising level of relinquishment of pets who suddenly are no longer the perfect match. For some, it is for financial and/or housing concerns – something that cannot be addressed in this month’s article but will be in the future. But for many, the shine has worn off that puppy that was purchased or adopted during the pandemic because of behavior. That is the sad part because much could have been done to socialize and train their new family member. Behaviors that were cute in the young puppy are no longer cute or tolerable in the adult pet. The most common reason for relinquishment of dogs has always been behavior – problematic behaviors that stem from lack of training, lack of socialization, and sometimes breed temperament is in the mix too. Most of us have experienced that puppy who barks and jumps on everyone, or is terrified around other dogs. Both are abnormal behaviors needing intervention. Socialization is the key to a dog knowing how to dog, how to interact with other dogs, how to interact with humans and how to react in novel situations through repeated exposure. For puppies, that socialization window is most critical between the ages of 8 to 24 weeks but also continues through their entire first year. Socialization also goes hand-in-hand with training – a puppy, no matter their size, needs to know the rules and commands that make them a good canine citizen. June 2021
The Greater Park Hill News
Here are a few tips if you have newly acquired a puppy: 1. Work on socialization from the beginning. That doesn’t mean going immediately out to a dog park, but rather acclimating your new pup to brief walks in your neighborhood and play time with other puppies via a puppy kindergarten, socialization classes or friend’s healthy dogs. 2. Sign up for an obedience class after puppy kindergarten and work daily with your puppy to practice all commands. Don’t train sporadically – it’s like not practicing the piano, the skills don’t become rooted without lots of repetition. 3. Use “learn to earn” to help reinforce good manners — sit to receive meals, get hooked up to leash, be let outdoors or simply to get a treat. 4. Don’t overuse commands. Don’t get in the habit of repetitively saying a command. Rather, get your dog’s attention, then give the command. The American Kennel Club coined the name “command nagging” for the repeating of a command such as come by saying “Come, come, come, come on, come….” causing the pet to either not respond or conditioning them to only respond to the multiples. 5. Noise proof your puppy with acclimation to lots of different noises – such as thunderstorms, lightening, fireworks, loud trucks, sirens, etc. Use your cell phone, starting with low volume and working up. Make your pandemic puppy have a positive experience with boundaries, training and socialization to give them proper manners. Dr. Margot Vahrenwald is the owner of Park Hill Veterinary Medical Center at 2255 Oneida St. For more information, visit www. parkhillvet.com.
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Page 17
GPHC Command Central Lana Cordes, Executive Director
E. 52nd Ave
Colorado Blvd.
E. 48th Ave
By Lana Cordes
Executive Director, GPHC, Inc.
Quebec St.
Magnolia St.
E. 19th Ave
E. Colfax Ave
Syracuse
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Open Tuesday - Sunday Closed Mondays
Simone Taylor Dan Thatcher Dianne V Thiel Donna Tolin Jonathan Ullrich Laura Waligorski Jomo Walker Sue Weinstein and Marekah Stewart Christine Wester Nicole Wiederaenders Kevin Wiegand Michelle Wikum Pam Willet Mary Pat Wilson and Bob Wilson Pam Windsor Leah Wingeart Oliver and Helen Wolcott Dean and Marsha Woodward Meghan Wren
E. 29th Ave
Ivy St.
COME JOIN US FOR DINNER ON OUR PATIO!
Richard Hughes Jacqueline June Bill Juraschek Kristin Kenyon Debra Lentz Alan and Leslie Levine Mary Jo Lorenz Cinda Magliolo Jeff Mayfield John Messner Katherine Miller Bridget Morris Harriet Mullaney Buffy and Vernon Naake Chris and Erin Nielsen Tom and Carol Odwyer Laura Olson Adrienne Pederson Jennifer Prosser Ellen Reath and Craig Maginness Judy Regan Joanne Roberts Robert and Joan Root Deborah and Ralph Round Mary Salsich Bryan Saunders and Kate Swan Marshall Schecter Pat Scheurich Terri Schlabs Kirk Shropshire Richard & Lynn Shults Carolyn Siria Kelly Smith Martin and Wendy Smith Kait Speth Bradford Stahl Noah Stengel Suzanne Tate
Eudora St.
Blessed Sacrament Catholic Church Cure D’Ars Catholic Church Dahlia Campus Farms and Gardens Denver Water Inter-Neigborhood Cooperation INC Messiah Community Church Park Hill Commons Russ Wehner Realty Co. St. Thomas Episcopal Church The Blackbaud Giving Fund The Spicy Radish Tanya Acker Lacy Albaugh Christine Allen Janey and Harmon Alpert Katharine and Daniel Ambruso Penny AshleyLawrence Tables Restaurant Carolyn Benoit Thane and Erin Benson Jeff Bludau Gene Bolling Dennis T. Boucher Bernadine and Keith Brown Alex Brown Jasmine Brubaker Lydia Buchmann Sharon Ann Burke Kathleen Butler and Henry Burgwyn Jennifer Calderone
Inga Calvin Danielle Chaffin Marni ChoiceHermosillo Gabriel Cole Paula Conley Lana and James Cordes Renee Cousins King John and Elaine Covert Courtney Cowgill Emma Cummings Charlie Curlee Terry Curtis Lara Dicus Erin Donovan Colleen Doyle Amelia Drumwright Tara, Liam and Cormac Dunn Steve Farley Jack Farrar Judy Faught Karen Inger Fedde Gidon and Sarah Felson Carla Finch Sierra Fleenor and Jason Barth Anne & Joe Frank Duane and Jean Gall Georgia and Woody Garnsey Bobbi Gillis Geneva and Luther Goldsby Simon and Elizabeth Hambidge Amy Harris Pamela Healy Adrian Hill Ashley Hofwolt Kathryn Holm Dana & Bill Hughes
“We make a living by what we get, but we make a life by what we give.” – Winston Churchill
Elm St.
DONORS
GPHC’s operations are supported heavily by volunteers and almost entirely by donors. In 2021, I’m sharing a quote each month to express our gratitude for our donors and volunteers:
E. 29th Ave
Colorado Blvd.
We are so excited for the return of the Park Hill Garden Walk. Sunday, June 13 is the big day, featuring eight beautiful gardens that were missed out on last year due to the pandemic. Each garden will adLana Cordes ditionally showcase local artists and all proceeds support your favorite registered neighborhood organization — Greater Park Hill Community, Inc. The entire event takes place outside and we will be metering the entrance to each garden to ensure safe distancing. Tickets are on sale now online and in retail outlets. Check out the story and photos beginning on page 1, and the ad on page 7, for more details. Also resuming this month on Mondays from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. is our Free Farm Stand. We will be distributing free produce to anyone (yes, anyone) who can use it. Thanks to Denver Food Rescue, we will receive weekly produce deliveries from the City Park Farmers Market. If you are a gardener with abundance, please consider dropping off your extra harvest to us and we’ll make sure it goes out
to those who can use it. Our goal is to promote sharing among neighbors and food waste reduction. It’s all happening at 2823 Fairfax St. from June 7 through October. Speaking of abundance, our food pantry has plenty of dried pasta and black beans. What we do need is the following (check out greaterparkhill.org for hours to drop off, and the days and times that the food pantry is open): • Toothbrushes • Toothpaste • Mouthwash • Shampoo • Deodorant • Bar soap • Body wash • Diapers size 5 and 6 • Dish soap • Laundry detergent • Ensure
Monaco St.
Forest St.
Time To Share Your Summer Harvest
Ivy St.
Free Farms And Garden Walks
This map shows the 10 district boundaries of GPHC, Inc. Six at-large representatives also serve on the board of the Registered Neighborhood Organization.
GPHC, Inc: Who We Are, What We Do, Our Mission
The Mission and The Officers of Greater Park Hill Community, Inc. The Greater Park Hill Community, Inc., is a volunteer-based registered neighborhood organization that promotes the character and vibrancy of Park Hill, provides resources, information and advocacy, and preserves quality of life and the history of the neighborhood through community participation. The Greater Park Hill Community board is comprised of volunteer 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 Tracey MacDermott 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. If you have an issue you’d like to discuss about the neighborhood, contact your board representative. For those board members who don’t have a phone or email contact in the list at right, leave a message at the main number and it will be forwarded to your elected representative by GPHC Executive Director Lana Cordes. The GPHC office is at 2823 Fairfax St.
• Board Chair Tracey MacDermott: chair@greaterparkhill.org • Secretary and Zoning/Property Use Chair Bernadette Kelly • Treasurer and District 3 Rep Heather Shockey • District 1 Amy Harris • District 2 Ryan T. Hunter • District 4 Kevin Wiegand • District 5 Ken Burdette • District 6 Vacant • 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 Shane Sutherland • At-Large and Community Planning Chair Lisa Zoeller • Community Safety Chair Geneva Goldsby • Public Information Chair Melissa Davis: newspaper@greaterparkhill.org • Youth Services Chair Rick Medrick
WE HAVE EXPANDED OUR DELIVERY RADIUS
to include Central Park, North Central Park, Lowry, Mayfair, Montclair, Hilltop, City Park and Congress Park.
WE ARE PARK HILL STRONG! The Greater Park Hill News
June 2021
GPHN Classifieds Concrete Concrete work and repair. Driveway, patios, and sidewalks. Small jobs welcome. 25 years experience. Free estimates. 303-429-0380
Dining
Now Open! Clean Eatz, located off Colfax & Jasmine, provides convenient and affordable meals that fit every person’s lifestyle. Our delicious cafe is available for dine-in or take-out, in addition to our fresh and customizable meal plans that change weekly. Sign up for our meal plans and receive 50% off your first order of 10 meals online at http://cleaneatz.com/ locations/denver-co or visit us in store.
For Sale
Licensed, bonded, and insured. References. Call Shawn 303-907-9223
Painting
PREMIER PAINT WORKS since 1993. Denver’s Residential Paint Specialists. Int/Ext Neat, conscientious craftsmanship by polite, respectful, honest & fully insured crew, impeccable references. Call or text John at 720-849-3921.
Handy Man
Licensed GC. Expert home repair/ handy man/woodworker. Can fabricate missing/broken pieces for furniture, staircases, trim, molding, etc. 30 years Park Hill area. Peter 720-2916089 text ok.
Roofing
Residential reroofing and repairs, 17 years experience, licensed, bonded, and insured. Gutter replacement and cleaning. Call Shawn 303-907-9223
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.
4628 E 23rd Ave, Denver CO 80207 www.honeyhillcafe.com • 720 242 6048
Plumbing
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
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
We offer online, call-in, curb-side pickup or come on by. 75% Indoor Dining as well as heated patio.
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 VAIL PLUMBING & HEATING - The Older Home Specialist. Repair, service, remodel. Hot water heat. Licensed, insured, guaranteed. 303329-6042
Hauling
OUR SUMMER HOURS ARE MON-SUN 7-7 COCktAIlS & lIgHt fARE HAppy HOUR 4-6
Plaster Repair
Income property for sale. Beautiful 4-unit apartment complex in West Washington Park. The location is prime. Fully refurbished, in-unit HVAC units, in-unit washer/driers. Can be rented as Airbnb, corporate, or longterm rental. Fully furnished, decorated, and stocked. Call at 303-261-2577 or visit www.incomeproperty4saleDenver.com for more information.
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.
NEW HOURS!
Tree Trimming
Tree trimming and trash removal. General yard work and clean up. Gutter cleaning. Please call 303-429-0380
Windows
Double hung window RESTORATION includes replacing sash cords (ropes) and removal of excess paint on wood and metal plus lubrication for smooth opening and closing. 40 year resident of PH. Contact David 720-550-2786.
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 Many Park Hill & Central Park References Mask & Gloves Worn At All Times • Additional Disinfectant Now The Norm • Park Hill Resident • PaulinaLeon22@hotmail.com
20 years experience • 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
Dr. Janice I. Jarret 1336 Leyden
Across from Safeway
303.333.9898
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
Ireland’s Finest Painting Co.
40
B r i nging C olor
to Denver We are the Clean Guys in a Dirty Industry!
+
Years
Complete Interior & Exterior Painting
(303) 512-8777 irelandsfinestinc.com
We’re Getting Busy, Call Today!
June 2021
The Greater Park Hill News
Page 19
UNDER CONTRACT
520 Steele Street $3,680,000 Magnificent Single-Family Home in Cherry Creek Four Years New | En suite Bath with Two Wings Three-Story Elevator Over 6,500 Square Feet
Keith Combs 720-218-9614 kcombs@denverrealestate.com
Jaden Combs 303-324-1437 www.combssellhomes.com • DenverRealEstate.com
Page 20
The Greater Park Hill News
June 2021