Greater Park Hill News May 2023

The Year Of Lockdown

Come Walk In My Garden

Botanic Geniuses Ready To Open Their Gates For The 23rd Annual June 11 Park Hill Garden Walk

By Jean Ercolani Park Hill Garden Walk Organizer

Eight gardens, including three in the Mayfair neighborhood will be featured at the 23rd Park Hill Garden Walk on Sunday, June 11. Nineteen local artists will also show, share, and sell their work in the gardens. You’ll find sculpture, oil and watercolor paintings, mixed media, paper arts, wood cuts and botanical prints, with many artists working en plein air

We spoke with a few of the botanic geniuses whose gardens will be featured about their interests, struggles and pure enjoyment of gardening. Each outdoor oasis these gardeners have created is as different and unique as the gardeners themselves. At the same time, each of these individuals share similarities in the struggles they

An A lys I s

Gun Violence Strikes Twice At East, Sparking Demands: Our Voices Will Be Heard

By Anna Boyle and Elin Lawrence Special to the GPHN

Lockdowns and secure perimeters have become so frequent at East High School that most students are numb to the fact that when these now-routine announcements come in through the PA system, a dangerous situation may actually be occurring.

When the announcement of a secure perimeter on Feb. 13 interrupted seventh period, fear was not the first emotion — laughter and annoyance were.

That February day, casual conversations occupied everyone until text messages and social media stories from friends started rolling in. Students who witnessed what happened on the Esplanade, and students in classes facing 17th Avenue who heard the gunshots, were the first to notify their peers.

At 3:39 p.m., East Principal Terita Walker sent out a notice of a secure perimeter, but the extent of what happened was not clarified to students until nearly two hours later. In the meantime, parents weren’t informed of the status of their kids — a delay in communications that can be attributed to the time it takes for central administration to allow Walker to send out official notifications.

(For those who need a translation for terms that are now common to students: continued on page 10

encounter with Colorado’s Front Range climate. Their advice to others is consistent: Be patient, have fun, and enjoy your creation.

All of these gardeners take their time, study what works, where it works and what the plant needs in terms of water and nutrients. A couple of them referenced the TV show Gardeners World on BBC — which provides great gardening tips and information.

For them, gardening is not just something you do in the summer. It’s a year-round endeavor that encompasses planning, experimenting, learning, failure, success and happiness. Lots and lots of happiness.

Where did your love and interest of gardening originate? (Hint: Their mothers got them started.)

Kyle Kimmal and Ron Davis – Kyle’s mom was a florist and thus started his interest in plants. Kyle’s gardening interest soon rubbed off on Ron and they experimented together with various plants and techniques. At one point, Rob Proctor, a professional gardener, was their neighbor and taught them about gardening yearround. They were also part of a community garden when they lived in a row house near 10th and Emerson. Their lives took them to Boston for a few years where they took over vacant lots to build a community garden. Their effort was appreciated by the community, and helped them get to know their neighbors.

Colin Ammerman and Mark Wren –Colin is definitely the gardener. Mark says Colin has the “green thumb” and he has the “rusty one.” Colin grew up in England

continued on page 14

2023 Garden Walk

Faces from the March 1 rally following the death of East High junior Luis Garcia. Photo by Evan Semón

A hint of what’s to come: John Desmond’s garden is one of eight that will be featured in this year’s Park Hill garden Walk. Photo courtesy of John Desmond

2206 Kearney St., 720-735-9800

www.nestmanortho.com

GPhN Wins 10 Awards

Park Hill’s Mark Silverstein Receives Special First Amendment Honors At Regional Journalism Contest

By Cara DeGette GPHN Editor

The Greater Park Hill News team brought home 10 awards in this year’s Top of The Rockies regional journalism competition — including six first place citations.

The awards are for news, column-writing, features and photography published in 2022. The Top of the Rockies contest is sponsored by the Society of Professional Journalists and includes journalists in Colorado, New Mexico, Utah and Wyoming. More than 100 media outlets participated in this year’s contest.

In addition, Mark Silverstein, a longtime GPHN contributor, was the recipient of this year’s First Amendment award. The special citation honors individuals for their efforts to preserve and strengthen the First Amendment, hold governments accountable and speak truth to power. Silverstein recently retired after 27 years as the legal director of the American Civil Liberties Union of Colorado, where he is now legal director emeritus. He also netted two awards for his nature photography.

For the past several years, the GPHN — your community newspaper — has excelled in journalism competitions, usually going head-to-head with much larger news organizations. Being recognized for excellence underscores our commitment to providing readers and advertisers with compelling, relevant and interesting journalism with a local focus.

The contest results were announced during an April 22 ceremony at The Slate hotel downtown, the former home of Emily Griffith Opportunity School. Here’s a breakdown of the awards:

1st Place Awards

Sports News: East Kicks It

To The Win by Reid Neuriter Story and photos of the East boys soccer team winning the Colorado State 5A championship.

One Day. Eight Beautiful gardens. Nineteen Talented Artists.

Park Hill Garden Walk – June 11 From 9:00 – 3:00

This year’s Garden Walk is not to be missed. Tickets are available now at www.parkhillgardenwalk.org for only $15, seniors (age 65+) are $12, and children under 12 are free. Please note that tickets purchased online will be available for pickup the day of the event at 19 th Avenue and Forest Parkway between 8:30 a.m. and 2:30 p.m. Simply drive up, have your proof of purchase ready to show the Garden Walk volunteer and they will give you your ticket(s). No need to get out of your car. Use this QR code now to purchase your tickets.

Spot News Photography: Soaked on Montview by Cara DeGette When a drenching summer rainstorm flooded Montview Boulevard, Park Hill teenagers Nate RomoNichols and Miles Scott put on their swim trunks, set out some chairs, and waved a boogieboard with the sign: “Splash Us.” Passing motorists complied.

WhO We ARe

Editor: Cara DeGette

Manager: Brenda Morrison

Ad Sales: Melissa Davis and Denise Fisher

Art Director: Tommy Kubitsky

hOW TO fIND US

Voicemail: 720-287-0442

Email: newspaper@greaterparkhill.org

Climate Photography: Pura Vida by Mark Silverstein Photos from Costa Rica in honor of Earth Day, 2022.

Sports Photography: Inspired to Ride by Reid Neureiter This page 1 photo captured cyclists racing through City Park, with downtown Denver and the Rocky Mountains in the background.

Personal Column: Rebel Girls & Rethinking History by Rachel Reddick A collection of columns written by Rachel Reddick, a librarian at the Park Hill branch.

Obit Writing: Dorothy Davidson: On The Front Line For Liberty by Cara DeGette A story about the life and great times of Park Hill resident Dorothy Davidson, a former longtime leader of the ACLU of Colorado and Mountain States.

2nd Place Awards

Climate Reporting: In Honor Of Earth Day by Tracey MacDermott, Mark Silverstein and Mark Kuhl Column, photos and recycling tips highlighting ways to tackle global warming.

Personal Column: Raw Politics by Penfield Tate III A collection of columns.

Sports News: Angels On Ice by Reid Neuriter Story and photos about the East High ice hockey team winning its first state championship title.

Sports Feature: Every Day Is Epic by Reid Neuriter Story and photos about Park Hill’s Keaghan Dunn-Rhodes, a ski patroller at Loveland ski area.

Tickets are also available at these Park Hill establishments.

•City Floral: 1440 Kearney Street

•Spinelli’s Market: 4621 E. 23 rd Ave.

•Cake Crumbs: 2216 Kearney Street

•Park Hill Library: 4705 Montview Blvd.

•Park Hill Art Festival on June 3 and 4: 4958 Montview Blvd.

Tickets will be available the day of the event via Venmo for $20 at any Garden Walk location.

Address: 2823 Fairfax St. Denver, 80207

Website: 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: Melissa Davis: ads@greaterparkhill.org

Denise Fisher: sales_denise@greaterparkhill.org

Deadline for submissions is the 15th of every month

The Greater Park Hill News is published by Greater Park Hill Community, Inc. (GPHC) on the 1st of each month. Greater Park Hill Community, Inc. makes no warranties and assumes no responsibility for the accuracy of the information contained herein. The opinions expressed in articles are not necessarily the opinions of GPHC. GPHC does not necessarily endorse the companies, products or services advertised in The Greater Park Hill News unless specifically stated. GPHC reserves the right to run any advertisement.

Circulation is 13,000 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.

From left, Tracey MacDermott, Cara DeGette, Reid Neureiter and Mark Silverstein at the April 22 Top of the Rockies awards event. Photo by Heather Shockey

A Tip O’ The Cap And He’s Gone

Wilson’s Warblers are found all over the West, and you have to work fast to spot them. The males are bright yellow with distinctive black caps, which certainly make them stand out. They also sing up a storm. But they are small, and they are usually on the move. They can be seen flitting about at lower levels in shrubby tangles along streams or ponds or the forests’ edge. This Wilson’s Warbler was photographed in the mountains near Carbondale by Mark Silverstein.

2023 PARK HILL SNAPSHOT

Walkabout On Colfax May 6

Get Your Hands Dirty May 21

SHAI SPORTS

The Colfax Mayfair District is hosting a walkabout on Saturday May 6 that is designed to highlight 10 independent businesses along Colfax, at the southern border of Park Hill. Participating businesses include Ceramics in the City, Moss Pink, The Phoenician Kabob, Tessa Delicatessen, Antiques, Etc., The Local General, Mod Livin’, The Shop and Park Hill Treasures.

The walkabout begins at 11 am and wraps up at 3:30 p.m. with a drawing for several prizes and drink specials at Mozart’s Denver, at 14th and Krameria Street. Participants are urged to stop in that day at some or all of the participating businesses to browse, get a bite and get their raffle cards punched for the prize drawings

Helen Wolcott’s Spring Show & Sale Is May 6-7

Helen Wolcott’s Spring Show and Sale — a 50-plus year extravaganza featuring artisans and craftsman who gather at her Park Hill home — is set for Saturday, May 6 and Sunday, May 7. The show and sale runs from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. both days.

The event, at 2309 Clermont St., includes the work of artists and artisans who display and sell their creations. Wolcott specializes in costume and silver jewelry. Other participating artists include Cristina dePalmaVega (fabric and paper art), Carmen Curtis Basham (pottery), Robin Wilton (weaving), Anne Heine (knitting), Pamela Bliss (hand-made soaps), Anita Kienker (quilted creations), Patricia Foster (fine art/painting and cards) and Darrell Wunderlich (homemade salsa and jams).

Everybody is welcome. Bring a friend, stop by, and celebrate the hope of spring with a glass of sangria or a cup of herbal tea.

Park Hill Art Fest June 3-4

It’s hard to believe, but the Annual Park Hill Art Festival turns 10 this year. The juried fine art and fine craft show is set for Saturday and Sunday, June 3 and 4. Close to 100 professional artists from Colorado and beyond participate in the two-day show, which was founded by Darren Skanson. The artists’ work range from paintings to fine jewelry, woodwork to sculptures, textiles to photography.

The Art Fest is outside, on the grounds of the Park Hill Masonic Lodge on Montview Boulevard between Dahlia and Eudora streets. The event is from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m both Saturday and Sunday. There is no entry charge.

Park Hill School Community Garden organizers are hosting a free composting demonstration at the garden on Sunday, May 21 at noon. (The garden is behind the school, at 5050 E. 19th Ave.) A Denver Urban Gardens (DUG) master composter will be on hand to teach attendees how to home compost effectively, as well as share information, updates, and best practices for how to use the green bins provided by the City and County of Denver. The public is invited and is asked to kindly RSVP to parkhillschoolcommunitygarden@dug. org. Or, just show up.

PHNEE’s One Park Hill Day On Track For May 30

After a three-year hiatus due to COVID-19, the group Park Hill Neighbors For Equity In Education are bringing One Park Hill Day back to the neighborhood. The event is for all third graders in Park Hill elementary schools and will include a performance and lessons from The School of Breaking, along with some outdoor activities.

This year’s event will be on Tuesday, May 30 from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Hiawatha Davis Recreation Center, at 33rd and Holly Street. Reach out to PHNEE at info@phnee. org if you are interested in helping or getting involved. The last One Park Hill Day was held in 2019, and brought together all 3rd graders from Hallett, Park Hill Elementary, Smith and Stedman schools for a day of fun and community building. Check phnee.org for details and updates.

Golfers To Their Carts!

It’s the kickoff of golf season. Which means it’s time for the City Park Alliance’s Annual Golf Tournament. This year’s tourney is Tuesday, June 13 at City Park Golf Course, just west of Park Hill. Register for the tournament and check out sponsorship opportunities at cityparkalliance.golfreg. com/. The schedule for the day includes registration and breakfast at 6:30 a.m., golfers to their carts at 7 a.m., and shotgun start at 8 a.m. A lunch and awards ceremony follows the tournament. The City Park Alliance is dedicated to preserving and improving the park experiences for all.

RTD Seeks Feedback On New Transit Fares

Regional Transportation District (RTD) is seeking public feedback on its recommended new fare structure and programs. The public can review the recommendations at farefeedback.rtd-denver.com and submit comments through May 22.

The recommendations include:

• Full-fare c ustomers would pay a n a irport fare ($10) for SkyRide and A Line trips. All other destinations would carry a standard fare ($2.75 for a 3-hour pass; $5.50 for a day pass). Full-fare monthly pass customers would travel anywhere, including to and from the airport, for one price ($88).

Helen Wolcott with her jewelry. File photo Checking

• Adult c ustomers u sing d iscount fares would travel to any destination, including the airport, for $1.35 for a 3-hour pass; $2.70 for a day pass and $27 for a monthly pass). This includes people 65 and older, individuals with disabilities and Medicare recipients.

• Youth ages 19 a nd younger would t ravel at no cost. College students attending schools that are not participating in CollegePass would pay $70 per month.

• Income-eligible c ustomers u sing paratransit services could receive discounts on Access-a-Ride fares ($2.25 standard fare; $9.50 airport fare).

Four virtual public hearings are scheduled in May for feedback, as well as two in-person open houses. Check out farefeedback.rtd-denver.com/get-involved for details.

up, along with the Denver Ford Model A classic car club and a large family bike group.

New this year are some fun and exciting-sounding entries. A group of neighbors has formed the Park Hill Euchre Club and they’ll be playing cards on a flatbed during the event. Another group called Monster Rummy will have a car decorated to promote a new card game of the same name. Apparently it’s a year for cards!

The Park Hill Parade is supported 100 percent by the donations of our sponsors, and is an event of Greater Park Hill Community, Inc. See you on the 4th!

WeeCycle Needs Baby Gear

The Denver nonprofit WeeCycle, which helps provide families in need with essential baby supplies, is asking for help restocking many of its most-requested items in order to keep up with a significant increase in demand. Specifically, WeeCycle needs cribs (manufactured in 2012 or newer), strollers, bassinets, pack ‘n plays, baby monitors, humidifiers, safety gates, and car seats.

In the last month alone, WeeCycle has experienced a 63 percent increase in requests for cribs, toddler beds and bassinets. There has also been a 27 percent increase in requests for car seats in the first quarter of 2023 versus the same time last year.

While these are currently the most in-demand items, WeeCycle also accepts many other gently used items for babies and toddlers, as well as donations of new, unopened diapers, wipes, formula and baby food. One in three families reports lacking enough diapers to keep their baby clean, dry and healthy.

Donations can be brought to the WeeCycle warehouse at 20 S. Havana St., Suite 210, in Aurora on Tuesdays from 9 a.m. to noon, and every Thursday from noon to 4 p.m.

At this time, WeeCycle does not need toys or clothing. Check out weecycle.org for a list of all the items the organization accepts.

The Shelves Are Getting Bare

Requests For Assistance Are Way Up This Year. Can You Help Greater Park Hill Community Restock The Food Pantry With Some Basics?

Between January and April of this year, visits to the Greater Park Hill Community, Inc.’s food pantry increased by nearly 300 percent compared to last year. The registered neighborhood organization’s food pantry shelves are bordering on bare and can use an influx of donations.

If you’re at the grocery store, consider donating a few items from the list below, or shop directly from GPHC’s Amazon food pantry needs list: tinyurl.com/GPHCpantry.

• Boxes of dry cereal

• Bags of white rice

• Ramen

• Cans of tomatoes and tomato paste

• Jarred pasta sauce

• Canned fruit (peaches, pineapple, mandarin oranges and mixed fruit)

• Canned tuna and salmon

• Canned corned beef hash

• Cans of hearty soups and stew

• Bottles of juice

• Granola bars and kid-friendly snacks

4th of July Theme Shaping Up: Are You Ready To Deal?

The cadre of organizers (OK, Justin Bresler) of the city’s largest and most extravagant 4th of July Parade is jigging around his desk with excitement over the way the event is shaping up so far. Reports from the home office indicate that an AMAZING lineup of marchers and floaters and riders have already signed up to participate this year. “Far better,” says Bresler, “than we’ve ever been at this point in the registration process in terms of both the number of entries and their variety and creativity.”

Here are the details: The 13th Annual Park Hill Parade takes place on Tuesday, July 4 beginning at 1:30 p.m. The route, as always, stretches along 23rd Avenue beginning at Dahlia and ends at Kearney Street. Registration is open and free for all groups — sign up at ParkHillParade.com. Then, get ready to march/skip/float/ride the route on July 4 while thousands of adoring fans cheer you along from the sidelines. The always-popular Westernaires are confirmed to return this year. A marching band is coming all the way from from Bemidji, Minn. to perform. Also witness the return of the Guerilla Fanfare brass band, Black Pearl Entertainment and the Platinum Diva Princesses cheer squad, a perennial crowd-pleaser. Another dance team — the Dancin’ Dreams — has signed

10th Annual Park Hill Yard Sale Is Happening June 3

There was some chatter about the com munity-wide Park Hill Yard Sale not hap pening this year, as the event’s longtime organizer’s plate is overflowing. However, as we were going to press Park Hillian Blair Taylor stepped up to offer to take on the organizing details this year.

And so … drumroll … the 10th Annual Park Hill Yard sale is happening, and set for Saturday, June 3 from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Spring is the perfect time to purge all that has been collected over the long winter (OK, maybe several winters). If you want to hold a yard sale on June 3, shoot Blair an email at blair.taylor@8z.com or call 646584-1033. She’ll add you to the official map and send out additional info and updates.

You can also connect with the handy QR code below to get added to the map of yard sales.

In May shop pers can check out the map at greaterparkhill. org, and make a plan to head out June 3 and snag some smoking deals!

• Small can openers

• Eggs

• Bags and blocks of cheese

• Fresh vegetables (potatoes, onions, carrots, tomatoes and asparagus)

• Frozen proteins (chicken, family packs of fish, ground beef and pork)

• Hygiene products/toiletries

The food pantry is at 2823 Fairfax St. Food and toiletry donations can be dropped off between 9 a.m. and 3:30 p.m. on Mondays and Wednesdays and between noon and 5 p.m. on Tuesdays. Donations are also accepted by appointment. If you’d like to schedule a donation outside of office hours, email director@ greaterparkhill.org, or call 303-388-0918. Out of respect for clients, please only donate items that have not expired, and please do not leave donations outside the office door.

If you are in need of supplies, call the number above to inquire about hours of food pantry operation and other details.

Photo by Lori Midson

last year’s 4th of July Parade. File photo

Morning Spin

Park Hill Peloton cyclists at Cherry Creek State Park at sunrise on April 18. The Park Hill Peloton is an informal group of cyclists that meets every Tuesday and Friday mornings at 5:40 a.m. in the spring and summer for a fast-paced 25-30 mile ride from Park Hill, down to Cherry Creek, and out and around the reservoir. The group includes a number of champion amateur bicycle racers who use the ride for pre-workday race training. At the height of summer, the race group, or “peloton,” can grow to as many as 60 cyclists riding in close drafting formation, reaching speeds exceeding 35 miles per hour. Photo by Reid

eA r T h In c r I s I s | op I n I on Inspired To Action

Grim Reports From The Climate Action Front Include A Few Glimmers Of Hope

By Tracey MacDermott For the GPHN

The Inflation Reduction Act of 2022 is the biggest climate legislation ever passed in U.S. history. Although this landmark legislation wasn’t perfect, it provided a jumpstart on tackling our climate emergency. However, recent news regarding the Colorado River and the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change’s (IPCC) 6th Synthesis report paints a grim future.

A recent study published in the journal Geophysical Research Letters notes that the 22-year drought in the Upper Colorado River Basin has been severe. Tree ring analysis reveals the most severe drought in the past 1,200 years.

In August of 2021, the Bureau of Reclamation declared the first-ever water shortage for the area. Colorado’s snowpack from this past winter notwithstanding, reduced precipitation and rising temperatures have been estimated to account for approximately one-third of the decrease in the river. The ongoing drought impacts the availability of water for homes and agriculture, as well as a decrease in hydroelectric power. The picture that is being drawn for the southwest is bleak and requires immediate mitigation.

Last month the Biden Administration announced proposed reductions in water supplies to states in the southwest. The proposal evenly cuts water to California, Arizona and Nevada, and marks an unprecedented move. The Great Salt Lake has lost half of its water volume over the last 150 years. Lake Mead has fallen to record lows due to human consumption and a mega drought worsened by climate change. The current use of the Colorado River is simply not sustainable and with 40 million Americans relying on this water source, saving it from further decline is imperative.

So, what can you do? Here are some basic tips:

• Switch your bath to a shower a nd t ry to keep it to under 4 minutes.

• Turn off t he t ap when brushing your teeth.

• Run your d ishwasher only when it is f ull.

• Use leftover cooking water on your plants a nd in the garden.

• Fix leaky taps.

• Install low flow aerators on your taps a nd showers.

• Don’t flush t he toilet a fter every go. If it’s yellow, it’s mellow.

• Re-wear your clothes i f t hey a re still clean.

• Install a rain barrel.

• Stop using bottled water.

• Don’t let t he tap r un when hand-washing d ishes. When you do run the tap, collect the water by putting a bowl under it.

• Convert your lawn to d rought tolerant plants and grasses.

• Get creative!

Global temperatures are now 1.1° Celsius and it is likely we will hit the critical 1.5° C increase in the next decade. Melting Arctic ice is one of the main reasons why we must keep below the 1.5° C target. Using the Fahrenheit scale, 1.5° C translates to 2.7° F. In Fahrenheit, our summer season has already warmed 2.6° F in Colorado since 1970. This has led to more extreme heat days.

The most recent Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change report didn’t have a lot of good news, with some of it underscoring what’s previously been confirmed. Katharine Hayhoe, a world-renowned climate scientist summed up the key takeaways:

1) Climate change has already caused widespread and substantial losses to almost every aspect of human life on this planet. The impacts on future generations depend on the choices we make now.

2) Every bit of warming matters. The warmer the planet gets, the more widespread and pronounced the changes in both average climate and climate and weather extremes become.

3) The impacts are very serious: they directly affect our health, our food sources, our water and more.

4) The percentage of animal species exposed to potentially dangerous conditions increases significantly the faster the world warms. In general, ocean species like coral and tropical species are most at risk.

“The synthesis report is clear: we are not doing nearly enough to avoid dangerous

impacts,” Hayhoe said.

In her summation, however, she did provide a point of hope: Many of the solutions, she noted, are (a) already available today, and (b) benefit us in so many ways — addressing health, equity, justice, and even economic concerns while increasing resilience and accelerating the transition to a clean energy future.

Each one of us can act, make sweeping changes in our lifestyles and secure a livable future. We must!

Tracey MacDermott is an at-large member of the board of Greater Park Hill Community, Inc., and immediate past chair. She was trained as a Climate Reality Leader in 2017, and is currently the Statewide Co-Chair of the Climate Reality Project for the 100% Committed Campaign.

Purring Into The Near-future

Battery Technology Breakthroughs Made The EV Revolution Possible

By Mark Kuhl

For the GPHN

Are you excited about your next car being an Electric Vehicle?

There are plenty to choose from now and EV drivers love the many benefits of their new ride, especially the fact there’s no exhaust pipe. They’re fun to drive, quiet, low maintenance, and never need an oil change or to be filled up with gas.

Battery technology breakthroughs made this EV revolution possible, and new electric car sales are estimated to be 30 percent to 50 percent of all purchases in the U.S. by 2030 — that’s just seven years from now.

EV batteries last up to 150,000 miles and after time powering your ride they can be repurposed for stationary power

storage. Eventually they lose so much capacity they are deemed useless and ready for recycling. Cobalt and lithium are the materials worth recovering and a young EV battery recycling industry is improving the highly manual, dangerous, and expensive process of doing so.

To accelerate the pace of recycling innovation, proactive states like California have formed expert groups to devise new and more efficient methods of battery recycling.

Mark Kuhl is an environmental advocate who lives in Park Hill with his family. His handy tips and news about recycling household items appear every month in these pages. A directory of his past columns for recycling everything from paint to Styrofoam to shoes is at greaterparkhill.org/sustainability/recyclingdirectory/.

Neureiter

DARRELL WATSON

MAKING CITY GOVERNMENT

WORK FOR DISTRICT

VOTE FOR WATSON FOR DENVER CITY COUNCIL DISTRICT 9 ON JUNE 6.

PAID FOR BY WATSON FOR DENVER.

DISTRICT 9 WANTS PROGRESS, NOT DIVISION.

"Denver is at a crossroads, and our city is changing in ways that seemed unimaginable ten years ago. Our crime stats paint a sobering picture, including that Denver is #1 in car thefts. Our violent crime rate is up 10%, drug-related crimes increased 24% (both in 2022), and our high schools are being threatened by gun violence. As your next council member, I will lead and work in partnership to address the public safety concerns of our communities. I’ll work with the Denver Police Department to ensure that officers hired represent the communities they serve; I will fund alternative responses to DPD to nonviolent interactions; I will implement police reforms; and I will increase community health funding. This is how we will create a safer, more just District 9 where each and every one of us can thrive."

VISION FOR DISTRICT 9

 

 

  

  

  

The Two Left Standing

Denver Mayor Candidates Kelly Brough And Mike Johnston Emerge As Top Vote-Getters, Scramble To Shore Up Support Ahead Of June 6 Runoff

By Cara DeGette Editor, GPHN

Headed into the April 4 mayoral election, Kelly Brough and Mike Johnston both supported Westside Investment Partners’ massive development plan for the Park Hill Golf Course.

press conference on April 24, announcing that state Rep. Leslie Herod — who came in fifth in her bid for mayor — is supporting him. Their backdrop was city hall downtown.

Denver votes

In an Election Day blowout, 99,905 Denver voters rejected Westside’s development plan. That was more votes — far more votes — than the combined 76,900 votes that Brough and Johnston received in their bids for mayor.

Running against 15 other mayoral candidates, Brough and Johnston emerged the winners on April 4. That means they are now battling for the top prize in the June 6 run-off election. Given the overwhelming 59-41 percent defeat of the Park Hill Golf Course development plan, it’s not all that surprising that both have since changed their positions. They now say they support preserving the city-owned conservation easement that protects the property. And both say that as mayor, they would buy the 155-acre parcel for a regional park.

At least one candidate running for the Denver City Council — Darrell Watson — has also switched his position on the golf course. Watson, a favorite of Westside in his bid against incumbent Candi CdeBaca in District 9, says he now supports preserving the easement.

After conversations with both mayoral candidates, former Denver Mayor Wellington Webb threw his support firmly behind Brough at an April 18 press conference, with the golf course as the backdrop. For his part, Johnston followed up with his own

Council District 8

Denver City Council District 8 includes a swath of northeast Park Hill that includes the golf course, as well as the Central Park, East Colfax and Montbello neighborhoods.

Shontel Lewis, who received 35.71 percent of the vote, and Brad Revare, who received 33.47 percent of the vote, will face off in the June 6 runoff election.

Shontel Lewis

Endorsements listed on her website and social media include:*

• Former Mayor Wellington Webb

• YIMBY Denver

• Democratic Socialists of Denver

• Jane Fonda Climate PAC

• SEIU Local 105

• Tiya Trent

• Ashlee Wedgeworth

• Midian Holmes

• MJ (Maleeka Jihad)

• Portia Terrell

• Shanea Mckelvin

• Dr. Auset Miryam Ali

Position on the Park Hill Golf Course:

Before the April 4 election, Lewis initially refused to take a position on the Park Hill Golf Course, but eventually became a strong opponent of 2 O and efforts by Westside to develop the property.

Brad Revare

Endorsements listed on his website and social media include:*

• Current District 8 C ouncilman C hris

Herndon

• Councilwoman Debbie Ortega

• The Republican Party of Denver

• Local 858 Firefighters

Position on the Park Hill Golf Course:

Strongly supported 2 O and Westside Investment Partners’ development plan for the golf course.

Brough and Johnston spent much of the month of April shoring up supporters — as have candidates in the other races that will be decided in the June 6 runoff election. The following is a partial list of who’s backing whom.

Denver Mayor

Kelly Brough

Former CEO of the Denver Metro Chamber of Commerce; former Chief of Staff for Mayor John Hickenlooper; most recently Chief Strategy Officer at Metro State university of Denver.

On April 4 Brough received 34,627 votes — 20.03 percent of the vote. Her campaign co-chairs are outgoing Denver Councilman Chris Herndon and Denise Maes, the former public policy director at the ACLU of Colorado. Campaign manager is Sheila MacDonald, who has run many Colorado campaigns, including Bill Ritter for governor and Jamie Giellis for Denver mayor.

Endorsements and supporters listed on her website and in media reports so far include:*

Groups

• Denver Metro Association of Realtors

• Metro Housing Coalition

• Denver Gazette

• La Voz

• Marijuana Industry Group (this endorsement was announced on 4/20 at 4:20 p.m.)

Council District 9

Denver City Council District 9 includes much of south and north Park Hill, as well as Whittier, Cole, Globeville/Elyria and a portion of the RiNo neighborhoods. Incumbent Candi CdeBaca, who received 44.24 percent of the vote in April, is being challenged by Darrell Watson, who received 42.93 percent of the vote.

Candi CdeBaca

Total votes 7,398 — 44.24 percent

Endorsements listed on her website and social media include:* Groups

• Sierra Club

• Jane Fonda Climate PAC

• National Association of Social Workers (CO chapter)

• Blueflower Fund

• Colorado Independent Drivers United

• UFCW Local 7

• Workers United CMRJB

• International Union of Painters and Allied Trades

• Colorado NORML

• CIRC Action Fund

• Democratic Socialists of Denver

• Working Families Party

• SEIU Local 105

• El Semanario

Individuals

• Former Mayor Wellington Webb

• State Board of Ed. Comm. Wanda James

• Councilwoman-elect Sarah Parady

• Former State Sen. Penfield Tate III

• State Rep. Javier Mabrey

• State Rep. Elisabeth Epps

• State Rep. Iman Jodeh

• State Rep. Lorena Garcia

• Former state Rep. Joe Salazar

• DPS board member Scott Esserman

• Unsuccessful Mayor candidate Lisa Calderón

Position on the Park Hill Golf Course:

A consistently strong opponent of 2 O and Westside Investment Partners’ development plan. Did not accept campaign donations from the developer. Post-election,

Individuals

• Former Mayor Wellington Webb and former state Rep. Wilma Webb

• Former Gov. Bill Ritter

• Former Denver Mayor Bill Vidal

• Rabbi Steven Foster

• Former Councilwoman Joyce Foster

• State Board of Ed. Comm.Wanda James

• Former mayor candidate Kwame Spearman

• Former mayor candidate Thomas Wolf

• Councilwoman Kendra Black

• Former Councilwoman Marcia Johnson

• Former Councilwoman Carol Boigon

• Retired Denver Fire Chief Larry Trujillo

• Former Manager of Safety Al Lacabe

• Former Colorado Democratic Party Chair Rick Palacio

Mike Johnston

Former Colorado state senator; ran for governor in 2018, losing to Jared Polis; ran for the U.S. Senate in 2020, but backed out when John Hickenlooper entered the race; most recently the president and CEO of Gary Community Ventures. Johnston’s campaign manager is Camilo Vilaseca, who has worked on past campaigns for John Hickenlooper, Michael Bennet and Denver Mayor Michael B. Hancock.

On April 4 Johnston received 42,273 total votes — 24.45 percent.

Endorsements and supporters listed on his website and in media reports so far include:*

Groups

• AFSCME Council 18

• SMART Local 9 Sheet Metal Workers

• UFCW Local 7

• The Denver Post

• YIMBY Denver

Individuals

• Former Mayor Federico Pena

• Hon. Dottie Lamm

• State Rep. and former mayoral candidate Leslie Herod

was quoted by Westword, of the new push to buy the land for a park: ”Denver certainly has the money to do it, and I believe the leverage, and therefore we should do it!”

Darrell Watson

Endorsements listed on his website and social media include:* Groups

• Denver Firefighters IAFF Local 858

• Pipefitters Local 208

• Denver Metro Association of Realtors

• Metro Housing Coalition of Denver

• Marijuana Industry Group

• The Republican Party of Denver

• YIMBY Denver

Individuals

• Former Councilman Albus Brooks

• Unsuccessful council candidate Kwon

At las

• Former Gov. Roy Romer

• Former House Speaker Terrance Carroll

• Former Councilor Elbra Wedgeworth

• Councilwoman Debbie Ortega

• Councilman Chris Herndon

• Former Councilor Mary Beth Susman

• Former Councilor Ramona Martinez

• Former Councilwoman Carol Boigon

• Former Councilwoman Joyce Foster

• Former Councilman Charlie Brown

• Former state Sen. Polly Baca

• Former Speaker Mark Farrandino

• State Sen. Tony Exum

• Attorney Michael Carrigan

• Kevin Marchman, NOAHH

Position on the Park Hill Golf Course:

Strongly supported 2 O and Westside Investment Partners’ plan to develop the golf course. Watson was heavily supported by Westside principals, who donated a total of $700 to his campaign. After the April 4 election, Watson told Westword he would now support buying the land for a park. “The voters clearly voted against development on PHGC and I will stand with the voters on that decision.”

*Not a complete list

• Former House Speaker Terrance Carroll

• Former Senate President Peter Groff

• Former Councilman Albus Brooks

• LinkedIn founder Reid Hoffman

• Former DaVita CEO Kent Thiry

*Not

Let’s Get This Done

Denver’s Run-off Election

Is Tuesday, June 6

Will it be Mayor Kelly Brough or Mayor Mike Johnston?

Denver’s run-off election is June 6, and voters will decide who will lead the Mile High City for at least the next four years.

Depending on where you live in Park Hill, you’ll also have the opportunity to pick who will represent you (and the neighborhood) on the city council. In District 8, candidates Shontel Lewis and Brad Revare are on the ballot. In District 9, incumbent Candi CdeBaca is being challenged by Darrell Watson. Ballots will be mailed to all eligible Denver voters on May 15. All ballots must be returned by 7 p.m. on June 6. Park Hill voters have options for returning their ballots:

• By mail: The last d ay to return by mail is May 30.

• Drop completed a nd signed ballots at one of several 24/7 drop box locations around the neighborhood: Hiawatha Davis Recreation Center at 33rd and Holly Street, the Museum of Nature and Science in City Park and at East High School. After you’ve turned in your ballot, check denver. ballottrax.net/voter/, where you can track it like a package — from printing to acceptance for counting. Ballots much be dropped by 7 p.m. on Election Day.

• Old-school-style voters who want to c ast their ballot in person must be in line by 7 p.m. on June 6, Election Day. Find in-person vote centers at denvergov.org/Maps/map/electionservices.

How

Make the MOST When Selling

Former Denver Mayor Wellington Webb, with Kelly Brough at an April 18 press conference. Brough broke out a pair new sneakers in honor of the occasion. Photo by Cara DeGette

State Rep. Leslie Herod, who came in fifth in her bid for mayor, threw her support behind Mike Johnston on April 24.

Photo courtesy of Mike Johnston campaign

“Secure perimeter” means that the school locks all doors, but classes continue as normal. “Lockdown” is more severe, meaning students lock the classroom doors, turn off lights, and get out of sight from door windows.)

This process of ensuring the messages are accurate and verified before anything official is issued has proved detrimental to students’ mental well-being. Specifically, when something is actually happening at the school, students are in the dark.

Here’s an example: Back in September, when East was placed on lockdown for an active shooter threat, parents only received information from students hiding under desks, who believed the threat was real.

Teenagers are consistently told to stop spreading rumors and misinformation, but it’s a hard ask when they are victims of a faulty school system.

Devastated, and beyond angry

On March 1, just over two weeks after he was shot, Luis Garcia was taken off of life support. When the news was broken to the Angel community, students were devastated. We are also beyond angry at current gun laws and the ongoing lack of coordinated communication from Denver Public Schools.

That Thursday, students arrived at school and placed flowers on the “E” in remembrance of Garcia. The emotional tension in the crowd surrounding those flowers set the tone for the rest of the week. As unease and resentment for a community students once viewed as safe settled over, the only movement was when individuals grabbed their classmates for support. Teammates from Garcia’s soccer team wore their jerseys in solidarity. Some covered their number with Garcia’s: #11.

Once-rowdy high school hallways became dark and strained. Bathroom breaks

became time for students to cry. Book learning became insignificant.

Instead of preparing for an upcoming exam, many students opted to march, a march to fight for their own lives. The action was not for East administrators; it didn’t have school board member Tay Anderson’s name attached. The action was for one young man and friend and teammate named Luis Garcia, and the safety of surviving East Angels.

Students hoisted signs and posters bearing Luis’s name, and messages:

empowered; however, most were unsatisfied. Because, at the end of the day, East students still walk around with a recurrent and immediate fear: Will I be next? And, wherever I am, what is my exit plan?  Who will be next?

In a news story published before Garcia was killed, the Washington Post reported that in the 24 years since Columbine, 338,000 students in the U.S. have experienced gun violence at their schools. On Feb. 13 that number climbed to 340,579 students, after adding in East High School’s impacted population.

our journalism class, especially, students and teachers have had many discussions about school shootings and gun violence in other states.

After Luis was killed, we conducted an informal poll at the school to gauge the temperature of students. Of 119 students we talked to, 84 said they do not feel safe at school; 102 of 118 students said they do not feel heard by their school’s administration. Many choose to not attend their classes anymore — some students have opted to go back to all-online learning at least for the rest of the school year. Some parents have declined to send their kids back to East.

When sitting in class, many students are no longer worried about their upcoming test, but whether or not they or their friend will be the next victim. Sometimes, when innocent, careless shouts echo through the hallways from freshmen, some of the older students wonder, at least momentarily, whether they are cries of danger.

It is important to note that these students — these teenagers — are not only scared for their lives, but grieving as well.

We are grieving. We will be heard.

— “I would rather be writing an essay than my will”

— “Schools are for learning, not lockdowns”

— “If I die, put my body on the steps of Congress”

The crowd marched down 16th Avenue and gathered on the steps of Colorado’s Capitol building. Because as long as East students are still standing, they will fight to never lose another Angel. Some made their way inside the Capitol, through the metal detectors. They met with lawmakers and sat in the gallery.

At the end of the day, many left feeling

Gun control appears necessary for the safety of America, especially schools. The advocacy shown by students at East and surrounding communities seems admirable and universal.

However, there are still people, even students at a school that has experienced gun violence, who refuse to admit a change is needed. On the day of the march, a number of students remained at school for various reasons. Some chose to stay simply because they don’t believe gun control is needed.

What was inherently a march to honor Luis has turned into political division. In

On March 22, just weeks after Luis died, East student Austin Lyle shot two school deans during a routine bag check. Many students were in the auditorium at the time, just about 20 feet from the deans’ offices. They were still listening to the Latino Students United assembly; no one was aware of the shooting or that a lockdown was in place.

Friends listened intently, some browsed their phones — until the performance was finally halted. The auditorium doors were not locked during or immediately after the shooting. Many were left shaken, not purely because of the shots fired, but because of the shots that could’ve been fired if Lyle had chosen to detour a few feet into the auditorium.

Later that day, Lyle’s body was found in

At

Anna Boyle Elin Lawrence

East High students on the Esplanade on March 1. Rally photos by Evan Semón

Students and supporters marching up 16th Avenue to the Capitol.

Of 119 students we talked to, 84 said they do not feel safe at school.

the mountains and an apparent suicide was reported to the already-reeling community. Grief was not only reserved for the wounded deans, Eric Sinclair and Jerald Mason, but for the 17-year-old boy who seemed to be the result of a defective school system.

The improving mental health resources and outreach faculty seems to be effective, except for students already labeled as dangerous.

One would hope that, along with mandated searches of his backpack, faculty would have required mental health checkups as well. After all, when someone is in possession of a weapon, there is a greater chance they will use it on themselves.

To this, a final note. A major revelation can be made about the East community:

op I n I on

We are resilient. From districtwide walkouts and the expansion of the gun control group Students Demand Action, to flowers on the steps of the Capitol, East will make its voice heard — or rather, we are demanding our voices be heard.

And as the school year comes to a close, the community is not only hoping, but begging, for a proactive solution to gun violence in schools.

Anna Boyle and Elin Lawrence are the co-editors of The Spotlight, East High School’s student publication. They both live in Park Hill, and wrote this retrospective analysis for the Greater Park Hill News

Bouquets of flowers cover the “E” in front of East High School, in honor of Luis Garcia.

My Day At School

Something’s Happening At East. Again.

by Madeleine Senger

For the GPHN

I was in my world history class when it happened. It appeared to be a normal day for me. I walked into the building, went to math, then world history, where I had a test. It happened yet again: lockdown.

Since this has been a common occurrence all year, we figured that there was probably something wrong on Colfax. But as we texted more with friends, we started to worry that something was happening inside the school. Again.

Our class huddled in the corner, some of us crying, others numb. One common denominator was the texting, to our friends, to our parents: What happened? We had just experienced the death of one of our own Angels, Luis Garcia. Shot just outside our school while he sat in his car. We had just buried him – and now this was happening. Again.

I could hear sirens and helicopters overhead. I was getting texts with photos outside of ambulances and police gathered. I knew that this was real. There was a point when my teacher told us to blockade the door with chairs, and that was when I got really scared. I texted my mom and she tried to soothe me, writing, “The fact that it’s all locked and police are there is scary, but also a sign that it’s safer.”

In moments like this, we’re wary of our surroundings and of who we can trust. But after hearing the same information from multiple texts from friends, I started to believe that the threat was indeed coming from inside the school. I soon found out that two of our deans had been shot. Two

deans, one who I’ve met many times before and another I know from his presence in the halls. Deans who do their job every day, protecting students, had been shot. At my school.

Unlike when Luis Garcia was shot, this happened inside our school. A place where students come to learn and are supposed to feel safe, but it’s starting to feel the opposite these days. We’re scared about what will happen next, we seek out places to hide in case of yet again, another lockdown. And yet with all this, we’re still expected to learn. Again. After it was safe to come out of hiding, we went back to our chairs. A deep sense of dread was starting to push down on my chest: Is everyone okay? Are the deans alright? Are they in serious condition? Are they going to survive?

My teacher put on the news and I could see that parents were outside the school protesting and that the entire city was focused on our school. Now we were focused on getting out of the school. It felt like an eternity waiting in the class for the officials to let us out, room by room. As I walked through the halls I saw the sullen faces of teachers and the administration. The students around me looked dazed.

When I got outside, and finally saw my mom waiting among the parents, she burst into tears. Again.

How many more shootings need to happen before things change? How many years? How many lives?

Will it happen? Again.

Madeleine Senger is a sophomore at East. She is a pianist in the school’s Jazz Combo, was pianist for East’s musical Chicago this spring, and plays varsity tennis.

o pen Book | op I n I on

10 Years Wiser

Trying To Stay Creative Amid The Haze Of Gun Violence

By Anya Nitczynski For the GPHN

May has always been my favorite month of the year. To me, May represents an emergence from the school year chrysalis. In May, I feel like I see everything through a nostalgic lens.

I attend Denver School of the Arts, which includes students grades 6 through 12. East High School is a little more than three miles away. I have friends there; my brother is graduating from East. This time of year is one of reflection and a time where I convince myself that over the school year I grew wiser by 10 years.

This year, the mystical knowledge I’ve unlocked is the fact that I don’t have any. Some things happen for no reason at all. This school year has been overshadowed by the constant threat of gun violence in and around our schools. Students and teachers alike feel it in the back of their minds, always.

My peers and I talk about how we are constantly aware of who is closest to the door, especially if it’s us. We are wary of taking bathroom breaks in case we become stuck in the hallway, locked out of every classroom. We make jokes and theorize about how our different teachers would react if it happened to us. But it isn’t anything new. Even as it feels like the threat of a shooter is closing in on us and even as it feels like this is becoming inevitable, we are never shocked when we hear about another shooting somewhere far away or close by. We discuss the topic as less of an “if” and more of a “when.”

The iron grip of gun violence stakes itself into every single school in America.I am the same age as the children would be if they hadn’t been killed in the Sandy

Hook shooting. This has always been my reality in educational settings. It’s close to impossible for me to imagine why adults are so shocked every time these events repeat themselves. What is the point of protest anymore? We have become so numb to violence as a facet of our lives as students that it’s become increasingly easier to compartmentalize: We hear the news of another shooting and are able to move on.

This doesn’t mean we don’t care or aren’t concerned. It’s a method of selfpreservation. It should not be up to students to spark change. It feels like as students we’ve exhausted all of our efforts. We should be allowed to simply grieve instead of being the ones to come up with solutions to problems we didn’t create.

Regardless of the heavy haze of gun violence, my year was characterized by creation. I learned that as a person, I always need to be creating something and honing my artistry. The smallest and seemingly stupidest ways of creating are the best for self-characterization and clarity in times of stress.

This year, it became abundantly clear to me that everyone — not just students — is messing up and making mistakes. What separates good and bad mistakes is what you take from them and how your actions may be different in the future. If you believe in your methods and choose to stand by them, the people around you will be forced to follow suit. And if they don’t, so be it.

Anya Nitczynski is a sophomore at Denver School of the Arts. Her column appears monthly in these pages.

Madeleine Senger

Ms. Amy’s Spirit Lives On

Ms. Amy leaves indelible memories on the lives of countless families in Park Hill.

For the Roberts family, her joyful spirit and unconditional acceptance of our son and brother, Benjamin, gave us the courage to persevere in our struggle for his acceptance at Park Hill. Benjamin’s disabilities never fazed Ms. Amy for a moment and his 2003-04 academic year was filled with total acceptance, participation, and love.

That Benjamin was able to attend the same school as his sisters, in an inclusive and welcoming classroom, was a gift from Amy to us. She celebrated every child and her acceptance was infectious and paved the way for Benjamin’s entire school career. Ms. Amy, you will be missed but your impact lives on.

— Karen and Jeff, Alyssa, Caroline and Benjamin Roberts, Park Hill

Editor’s note: This remembrance was submitted in response to the passing of Park Hill Elementary Kindergarten Teacher Amy Maes, who died unexpectedly in February. A story about Ms. Amy’s impact on the community appeared in the March issue and can be read at this link: greaterparkhill.org/news-and-opinion/ remembering-ms-amy/

Oreo Cookie’s Big Adventure

I want to thank all the people who recently kept my dog safe.

I adopted a dog who had been in a puppy mill for four years and then with a foster family for two months. I have had Oreo Cookie for a little under two months and have slowly been getting her used to my home because she is skittish and nervous and I am working on holding her and letting her allow me to do so.

Last month Oreo Cookie got out of my

yard and headed to Montview — she had never before wanted out of the yard or the front door. I got help from so many. My neighbor on the corner tried to get her back down the alley and gave me treats to bribe her. One couple on the block spent nearly 45 minutes trying to help me bribe her with more treats and a kennel. I called my daughter to tell her the dog was gone, but that I could no longer chase her. My daughter and my son-in-law came with my grandkids and lo and behold Oreo Cookie was still on the corner of Hudson and 19th. Two young ladies were sitting on the sidewalk and although she wouldn’t come to them, they kept her safe. Their parents (I assume their parents) were waiting, too. Cars were slowing down and offering to help. Finally, everyone was able to block Oreo Cookie in while my daughter lunged and grabbed her.

Oreo Cookie has not been trained to come because it is a process getting her over bad memories. So, thank you to all the wonderful Park Hill people who took the time to help me when I was experiencing the first “running away!” I thanked you all, but am hoping at least some of you will see this and know I am so very grateful.

Oreo Cookie is now bathed, wishing for more treats (too bad), and asleep in her kennel. My daughter has ordered a collar with a GPS tracker to tie into her phone, a leash, and I will get a name tag. And I will be finding someone who can help me train a dog with trauma so that Oreo Cookie will at least come when called. Thank you, thank you, thank you to the neighborhood I have lived in for 67 years!

Betsy Snyder, Park Hill

Feel The Electricity

I found Tracey MacDermott’s switch from gas-powered utilities in her house to all-electric inspiring (as detailed in MacDermott’s November column, Milestones to Celebrate).

Like many of my neighbors with older homes, I have been shocked at the cost of gas on my Xcel bill in recent months. I have a gas hot water heater, gas furnace, and gas stove. I would like to move away from gas, but it can be expensive and difficult to know where to start.

After talking to friends, I found out there are several tax credits and rebates available at the local, statewide and federal levels. There are even rebates for electrical panel upgrades associated with electrification.

The Denver rebates are time limited and likely running out soon for this round. There will be one third and final round later this year or next year. This is the same program that funded the electric bike rebates. The current state rebates only apply to 2023 and 2024. New and better rebates are expected to be passed by our legislature and Gov. Jared Polis later this year. Read the federal rebate laws carefully because it

is advantageous to do projects in different years to maximize tax credits.

I thought this information might be helpful to others in the neighborhood considering the switch. The amounts listed in the accompanying graphic are maximums, make sure to read the details of the various programs for more information. Many of the solutions can use your existing high efficiency furnace as an air handler and a back up for extreme cold. However, there are all electric options that can handle the coldest days in Colorado.

For updates, check out Colorado House Bill 23-1272, currently making its way through the legislature, which extends tax credits to advance decarbonization.  leg.colorado.gov/bills/hb23-1272

Karen Chapman

(with help from Julie Lang), Park Hill We love your letters, and give preference to those that address an issue that has been covered in the newspaper, or a topic that is Park Hill or Denver-specific. Send letters to editor@greaterparkhill.org, and include your full name, and the neighborhood in which you live. Deadlines are the 15th of each month, for the following month’s issue.

Examples of tax credits and rebates available at the local, statewide and federal levels compiled by Karen Chapman and Julie Lang. Graphic by Tommy Kubitsky

This photo of Amy Maes and Benjamin Roberts was published in the Feb. 19, 2004 issue of the Greater Park Hill News.

Oreo Cookie is back at home, safe and sound.

Photo by Kaileya Snyder

Garden Walk, continued from page 1

and was always helping his Mum in the garden. At his mother’s urging, he transposed a rough portion of is childhood yard into a beautiful garden. Another significant trait he learned from his Mum is starting everything from seed. To this day, 95 percent of his garden plants are from seed.

Mark is a metal sculptor, and his creative work is also visible throughout the space. Thus, the “rusty one.”

John Desmond – John’s mother was also a gardener and she gave him a piece of the yard to grow whatever he wanted. That started a lifetime of creating interesting and inviting outdoor spaces. Regardless of where he lived, he always strived to have a small garden. At his current home, he has tried to use interesting elements like curvy retaining walls to break up the square, boxy look of the home’s exterior. That was one of the first things he tackled when he moved in more than 20 years ago.

What do you enjoy most about gardening?

Kimmal and Davis – “We just love being outside and decompressing.” Kyle and Ron walk through the yard, picking flowers and harvesting the veggies and herbs. Ron

loves to cook, and their fresh vegetables and herbs are key elements in their summer menu.

Ammerman – “I just love watching everything grow and be happy.” Remember, Colin starts most of his garden from seed. Some of the plants shoot up to provide vegetables and herbs, while others become flowers and other botanics. Colin likes to play with different plants that typically don’t do well in Colorado. Last year’s experiment was loofah, which is actually a gourd. It grew 10 to 15 feet in one week and overtook one side of the house.

Desmond – John loves it when people walk past and stop to talk with him about his plants and ask him questions about his garden. He also feels like he is giving back to the neighborhood by having a nice yard, and likes how people feel when they see it. Even his Christmas decorations bring a sense of enjoyment and giving back to the community.

Do you have a favorite area and what makes it special to you?

Kimmal and Davis – It’s all about the vegetables and herbs. Kyle and Ron love to

pick them and cook them up in some yummy dish, and they also enjoy sitting on the patio and looking at their plethora of plants and flowers and just take it all in. They also appreciate a pleasant stroll around the 36 rose bushes in their yard.

Ammerman – There is a particular place in the back corner of the yard under a tree that Colin is fond of. He has planted ferns around this area and will sit out there with a good book and take in the beauty of the yard. Sometimes, he will call his Mum back in England from this special corner of the yard for a little chat. It’s also a wonderful place to enjoy a glass of wine in the evening.

Desmond – The front porch is John’s favorite place. It offers a great vantage point to see the front yard and many of the potted plants, mostly annuals. He also brings most of his indoor plants out to the front porch in the summer. Between the annuals and the indoor plants, his front porch becomes a lush little jungle.

What are your biggest gardening challenges? How do you get past them?

Kimmal and Davis – The biggest challenges are soil, the Colorado climate, and conservation needs. The best way to get past this is to focus on native Colorado plants. Kyle and Ron originally wanted a cottage garden, but due to these challenges, developed more of a prairie-cottage garden. They also planted things that will attract birds, bees and butterflies. The correct lowwater plants will attract more bees and fewer wasps.

Ammerman – The overarching challenge is the Colorado climate. It is hot, dry and it’s a short season. Colin has had to learn what will thrive here. He has also struggled with figuring out what’s the right plant, in the right place, and planting it at the right time. He practices putting plants in different locations until he finds the best place for that specific plant. It’s a constant learning curve.

Desmond – Bindweed has been the bane of John’s gardening existence. When he retired, he finally had the time to stay on top of it, and he thinks it’s finally under control. He also struggles with a lot of issues around his 100-year old Siberian elm tree. He has spent a lot of time and money to keep the tree alive. It’s also hard to get anything to grow under it, and he has tried xeri-

Get Your Tickets

Proceeds For The Garden Walk Benefit Greater Park Hill Community, Inc.

Tickets to the June 11 Park Hill Garden Walk are available now at parkhillgardenwalk.org for $15. Cost for seniors age 65-plus is $12, and children under 12 attend free.

Tickets purchased online will be available for pickup the day of the event at 19th Avenue and Forest Parkway between 8:30 a.m. and 2:30 p.m. Simply drive up, have your proof of purchase ready to show the

scape and native plants to help beautify this area of his garden.

What tips do you have for someone wanting to start or improve their yard/outdoor space?

Kimmal and Davis – Visit the Denver Botanic Gardens and Centennial Gardens, which feature native and drought tolerant plants. Also, walk the neighborhood and check out what is working in other people’s gardens. Don’t be afraid to talk to these gardeners about their plants, struggles and success. You also need to be patient. Plan your outdoor space in sections. Don’t try to do it all at once. Maybe most importantly, have fun and enjoy it. Take pictures as you go and watch the changes.

Ammerman – Have fun and experiment with different plants in different places. Colin moves things around a lot just to change the visual interest of the yard. Gardening is always a work in progress, so be patient. For ideas and inspiration, visit the Denver Botanic Gardens. He also recommended a Google camera app, which allows you take a picture of a plant and have Google try to identify what it is.

Desmond – Start small, get the soil right and get the irrigation right. Also, understand the micro-climates in your yards. Take a season to observe what works and what doesn’t work. You can do this by walking through the neighborhood. Pay attention to plants in the neighborhood and determine grows and where. For example, you can’t grow a vegetable garden in a heavily shaded area. Build up your confidence and go from there.

The Park Hill Garden Walk committee is a group of volunteers working to raise funds for Greater Park Hill Community, Inc.  GPHC, Inc., is a volunteer-based registered neighborhood organization that promotes the character and vibrancy of Park Hill through resources, information and advocacy, while preserving the quality of life and the history of the neighborhood through community participation. Learn more and get involved at greaterparkhill.org.

Garden Walk volunteer and they will give you your ticket(s).

Tickets are also available now at the following Park Hill establishments:

• City Floral:  1440 Kearney Street

• Spinelli’s Market:  4621 E. 23rd Ave.

• Cake Crumbs:  2216 Kearney Street

• Park Hill Branch Library:  4705 Montview Blvd.

• Park Hill Art Festival on June 3 and 4: 4958 Montview Blvd.

Tickets will be available the day of the event via Venmo for $20 at any Garden Walk location.

2023 Garden Walk

John Desmond, in his garden.

Colin Ammerman and Mark Wren.Gardeners Kyle Kimmal and Ron Davis.

Welcome to John Desmond’s garden. Photo courtesy of John Desmond

Making Them howl

East High Angels Blitz Chaparral Wolverines In April

Story and photos by Reid Neureiter

For the GPHN

The No. 10-ranked Denver East girls lacrosse overcame Chaparral High at home on April 7 with a dominating second half performance that resulted in a 21-11 victory.

Although the game appeared to be close in the first half, with East taking a one-goal 11-10 lead into the intermission, the Angels figured out how to win the draw (the restart after a goal) and blitzed the Wolverines in the second frame.

The Angels were led by junior midfielder Vivian Leuthold, who had seven goals and an assist; senior Karsen Jorgensen, with four goals; and junior forward Riley Tills, who contributed three goals and an assist. Midway through the season, the Angels’s record at press time stands at three wins and four losses. Making the post-season playoffs may pose a challenge.

East concludes the regular season with a 4 p.m. away game against Colorado Academy on May 1 and an 8 p.m. away game against Aurora Grandview on May 3.

East junior midfielder Vivian Leuthold (#12) attacks the Chaparral defense on April 7.

East freshman Miley Ryckert controlling the ball.

Miley Ryckert looks to shoot against Chaparral.

Vivian Leuthold (#12) sprinting with the ball toward the goal.

Getting Older, Not Old

A Month Of Celebrating The Experience Time Brings

By Suzanne Gelwick-Knight Park Hill Librarian

May is Older Adults Month. This is a great time to celebrate getting older, and to celebrate those in our lives who are older. Being an older adult does not equate with getting old

Older adulthood is another stage of life, and should not be considered a derogatory term. I acknowledge our physical abilities change as we age, however, did you know if you have a positive outlook about getting older, it decreases your chances for dementia? I think we can all agree that being positive about getting older is a worthwhile endeavor.

Staff here at the Park Hill branch recently partook in Age Savvy training. The training walked us through how to recognize what ageism looks like and how to begin to change our way of thinking about ourselves getting older. We also gained a better understanding as to how to better interact with our older adult patrons.

One main takeaway was that ageism is rampant and ingrained in so much of our everyday life, and that we all should try to be more positive about getting older. Try looking at things through a pro-aging lens, instead of an anti-aging lens. To be more specific, pro-aging is making the most of your life, while anti-aging is trying to reverse or stop the aging process.

One thing I will be embracing from the staff training is that there is no age cutoff for when you stop learning. It’s not like you turn 83 and magically know everything you’re ever going to know. You have the ability to learn something new no matter what your age.

As I get older one of the benefits of learning new things is that I no longer feel anxious about making mistakes. Making mistakes is one of the ways we learn. Yes, I still want to do things the correct way, but the pressure I put on myself to understand something right off the bat is way less than when I was younger. I think this ability to be comfortable in one’s competencies arrives with age and experience. I hope to learn many, many more things during this next chapter of my life.

Denver Public Library celebrates older adults every month, but for the month of May we will be highlighting several special programs and events geared toward this demographic.

One fun event will be the performance group The Narrators will be performing an act called Ages & Stages. This event will be at the Buntport Theater at 717 Lipan St, on May 20 at 8 p.m. (Name-your-own-price tickets are available at this link: buntport. com/show/the-narrators-ages-stages/.)

There are several other events and programs that will be held this month at libraries across the system. Gracie & Blue, a local musical group, will be performing here at the Park Hill Branch (see details below in the listings). If poetry is your thing, you can sign-up for the virtual poetry workshop.

There are programs scheduled at various DPL branches across the city. Be sure to pick-up one of our Engage catalogs for May and look to see if there is something new you would like to learn. Or, go straight to our Older Adults Events page for a whole menu of other possibilities, at denverlibrary.org/olderadults.

On top of those offerings there are lots of opportunities to learn something new. Maybe you’d like to learn how to better use technology in order to be better equipped to stay in your own home. Or maybe you’d like to learn how to navigate Denver’s RTD and light rail transit

systems, so you don’t have to drive everywhere. Maybe you’ve been curious about meditation or Qi Gong.

I’ll leave you with this quote from Carl Jung:

“The greatest potential for growth and self-realization exists in the second half of life.”

In-Person Programs In May Park Hill Branch Library

Baby Storytimes | Thursdays 10:30-11 a.m.

Stories, songs, rhymes and fun for babies ages 0-18 months and their parents or caregivers.

Toddler Storytimes | Fridays 10:15-10:45 a.m. and 11-11:30 a.m.

Stories, songs, rhymes and fun for toddlers ages 18-36 months and their parents or caregivers.

Magic The Gathering Club | Fridays 4:305:30 p.m.

A teen-run Magic the Gathering Club for other teens.

Chess Club for 18 and Unders| Saturdays 3:30-4:30 p.m.

Writing Circle | Thursdays 1:30-3:30 p.m. Group led adult writing group. No Strings Attached Book Chat | Saturday May 27, 11 a.m.-12:30 p.m.

Read whatever you want, attend whenever you can.

Kids Book Celebration | Thursday May 18, 4-5 p.m.

Gracie & Blue | Saturday May 20, 11 a.m.noon

Musical performance by local performers.

Pauline Robinson Branch Library

After School is Cool | Tuesdays, Wednesdays, Thursdays | 4:15-5:15 p.m.

Join us at After School is Cool on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday for crafts, games, STEM and more. Program is for ages 7-12. We end on Thursday, May 18 for the school year.

Drop-In Tech Help | Wednesdays May 3, 10, 17, 24, 31 | 2:30-3:30 p.m.

Need help navigating the internet, email, or social networks like Facebook? Have questions about your phone or tablet? Want to know how to access eBooks on any device? Drop by and get your questions answered and learn how to use tech more effectively.

Jigsaw Puzzle Swap | Friday, May 12 | 3-4:30 p.m.

Get a jump on summer activities by swapping your gently used jigsaw puzzles for new ones. You’ll have a chance to put together a small puzzle, swap ideas with other aficionados, and drink tea.

Greater Park Hill has two public libraries: The Pauline Robinson branch library is at 5575 E. 33rd Ave., and the Park Hill branch library is at 4705 Montview Blvd. For hours of operation and additional upcoming programs for both neighborhood libraries, visit denverlibrary.org/events/upcoming, and select the facility you are planning to visit.

It’s not like you turn 83 and magically know everything you’re ever going to know.

Photo courtesy of Suzanne Gelwick-Knight

Above:

Below: One of three abandoned miners’ cabins along the trek.

Snowshoeing In May

How To Make Winter Stretch a Little Bit Further

Story and photos by Reid Neureiter

For the GPHN

Spring has fully sprung down here in Denver. But for those looking to prolong their snow experience into middle or late May, the Mayflower Gulch trail just south of Copper Mountain provides a great opportunity to stretch the white stuff of winter just a little further.

A relatively short two-mile, one-way hike, the Mayflower Gulch trail makes its way from a trailhead parking lot on the east side of Colorado State Highway 91 six miles beyond the I-70 Copper Mountain exit. The gentle climb rises through pine

forest to reveal a spectacular open bowlshaped cirque surrounded by 13,000-foot peaks. The highlights are three abandoned miners’ cabins in various states of decay, located at 11,600 feet in altitude. The broken windows of the old cabins line up to frame perfectly the surrounding peaks.

Hoofing it to the cabins takes between 45 minutes and an hour depending on your level of fitness. Explorers with snowshoes or skis can go beyond the cabins to the steep slopes above. Given the deep snowpack in the mountains this year, the trail will likely hold snow until June, making Mayflower Gulch a perfect spot for a spring snowshoe adventure.

Left: Exploring the open bowl above the cabins long abandoned by miners at Mayflower Gulch.

Million-dollar view from inside one of the cabins.

Barreling Into Summer

Getting Stoked For The Garden Walk, 4th Of July Parade, Home Tour & Street Fair

By Lori Midson Executive Director, GPHC, Inc.

I’ve said this before, and I’ll say it again: volunteers are the backbone of the essential and rewarding work we do at Greater Park Hill Community, Inc.

Volunteers run our emergency food pantry, often taking time out of their busy schedules to collect food donations, take out our trash and recycling bins, break down boxes and clean up the office. This is in addition to inventorying incoming food donations, stocking the pantry shelves and assisting the ever-increasing number of food-insecure families who shop our pantry. Our food pantry volunteers, some of whom have donated their time to our organization for more than five years, are my personal heroines and heroes.

An all-volunteer committee also spearheads our annual Garden Walk on Saturday, June 11. You can purchase tickets online at parkhillgardenwalk.org/tickets/ or pick up tickets at Cake Crumbs Bakery (2216 Kearney St.), City Floral (1440 Kearney St.), the Park Hill Branch Library (4705 Montview

Blvd.) and Spinelli’s Market (4621 E. 23rd Ave.). The amazing women who head the committee and make it all happen work tirelessly for months to ensure the Garden Walk — a fundraiser for GPHC — goes off without a hitch.

The snap-crackle-and-pop Fourth of July parade also relies solely on a committed brigade of volunteers to make 23rd Avenue between Dexter and Krameria streets a mosaic of red, white and blue, courtesy of floats, marching bands and costumed performers, including Captain America. Celebrating its 13th year, the festive procession is the Mile High City’s largest Independence Day march, and it’s only possible because of the committed efforts of the volunteers.

And then there’s our largest fundraising community event of the year: the fall Home Tour and Street Fair. And it’s a beast! The planning that goes into making this a successful event is no small feat, and it really does take an all-volunteer Park Hill village to fit all the pieces of the puzzle together. We must secure sponsors and vendors, apply for permits, select homes to feature for

the home tour, design brochures, posters, yard signs and other marketing materials, source and procure rental equipment and manage registrations and vendor agreements. That’s the short list.

And here’s where I’m issuing a plea. If you — or someone you know — would like to join the home tour and street fair committee as a volunteer — we could really, really, really use your help. We’re specifically looking for a volunteer to manage sponsorships and two additional volunteers to oversee the street fair. You’ll work alongside some super-fun people and be an integral part of one of Park Hill’s oldest and loved community events.

Experience involving special events

Churches/Businesses/ Organizations

Augustana Lutheran Church

Blessed Sacrament

Catholic Church

City Floral

Cure D’Ars Catholic Church

Dahlia Campus Farms and Gardens

Dardano’s School of Gymnastics, Inc

Delwest Development Corp.

Little Man Ice Cream

Esters Oneida Park

Ivy Street Design

Mayfair Liquors

Messiah Community Church

Park Hill United Methodist Church

Pinnacol Assurance

St. Thomas Episcopal Church

Starbucks

The Forte Group, Inc.

Park Hill Branch Library

CollegeXroads

Ciji’s Natural Pet Supplies

Nestman Orthodontics

Twinkle Together

Saige Gardens

The Urban Cookie Park Hill Treasures

Magnolia Landscaping

i9 Sports FaithBridge

Individuals

Federico Alverez and Jennifer Heisler

Annie and David Pratt

Marc and Alice Applebaum

Penny Ashley-Lawrence

would be terrific, but enthusiasm, passion and a can-do attitude are far more important. We begin the planning process in early May, and while we don’t have a set date for the home tour and street fair (we’re still awaiting the Denver Broncos schedule because, you know, FOOTBALL), it falls on a Sunday in September or early October. If you’d like to join the committee send an email to director@greaterparkhill.org.

To our volunteers: Thank you so much for investing your time in our programs and initiatives over the past month. And to our financial and in-kind donors: We are immensely appreciative of your support. Every single one of you is making a difference.

Ally Bailey

Mairin Bailey

Mike and Susan Barden

Dee Dee Barry

Sally Barton

Cathy Bauchwitz

Simon Blamires

Jennifer Calderone

Inga Calvin

Diana Ciancio

Cara DeGette and Mark Silverstein

Anthony Caravella

Sandra Caron

Elizabeth Case

Casey Guber and Erika

Burke

Christine and Daniel Allen

Todd Cooper

Emma Cummings

Christine Davidson

Abigail Dice

Millie Drumwright

Duane and Jean Gall

Ellen Reath and Craig

Maginness

Estelle and Charles Bennett

Claudia and Harold Fields

Sierra Fleenor and Jason

Barth

Anne & Joe Frank

Gidon and Sarah Felson

Bobbi Gillis

Linda Goerner

Princess Gray

James and Mary Groves

Lisa Haddox

Amy Harris

Stuart Hayden

Nam Henderson

Meryl Icove

Noah Imai

Bill Juraschek

Cynthia and Ed Kahn

Lana and James Cordes

Andrew Lefkowits

Cle Lewis

Mary Jo Lorenz

Patricia Lucio

Gary and Carolyn Martyn

Matthew and Elizabeth Spohn

Cathy McCall

Lori Midson

Harriet Mullaney

Nancy Connick and Diane Jankowski

Nora Neureiter

Chris and Erin Nielsen

Allison Nuanes

Samantha Lehni Reeves

Mary Salsich

Julie Sawaya

Linda Siderius

Daniel Snare

Mary Jo Starmer

Stephen and Wendy Kaeuper

Christopher Stewart

Sue Bruner and Gordon Pedersen

Michele Swenson

Tom and Carol O’Dwyer

Wendi Torres

Robert Valuck

Jim and Anita Wagner

Joan Wallach

Pam and Chris Wineman

Food Pantry Volunteers

Deb Rosenbaum

Noni Horowitz

Carole Robertson

Bev Miller

Linda Lovell

Emily Clark

Ruth Ann Russell

Carol Flank

Heather Shulman

Claudia Fields

Who We Are, What We Do

The Board of Directors of GPHC, Inc.

The Greater Park Hill Community, Inc., is a volunteer-based registered neighborhood organization that promotes the character and vibrancy of Park Hill, provides resources, information and advocacy, and preserves quality of life and the history of the neighborhood through community participation.

The GPHC board is comprised of volunteer at-large representatives, as well as 10 district representatives. If you are interested in volunteering or serving on a committee, contact current GPHC Board Chair Shane Sutherland at chair@greaterparkhill.org for details.

The following are current board members, and their best contacts. Many representatives prefer to be contacted through the main office, at 303-388-0918 or info@ greaterparkhill.org. The GPHC world headquarters is at 2823 Fairfax St.

If you have an issue you’d like to discuss about the neighborhood, contact your board representative.

For those board members who don’t have a phone or email contact listed, leave a message at the main GPHC number and it will be forwarded to your elected representative.

• Board Chair Shane Sutherland: chair@greaterparkhill.org

• Secretary and Zoning/Property Use Chair Bernadette Kelly

• Treasurer Heather Shockey

• District 1 Amy Harris

• District 2 Brenda Morrison

• District 3 Heather Shockey

• District 4 Currently vacant

• District 5 Sophie Milam

• District 6 Phebe Lassiter

• District 7 Jon Bowman

• District 8 Nam Henderson

• District 9 Doug Schuler

• District 10 Colette Carey

• At Large Maria Flora

• At Large Shanta Harrison

• At Large Tracey MacDermott

• At Large Laurel Mohr

• At Large Louis Plachowski: lplachowski@gmail.com

• At-Large Leslie Twarogowski

• Youth Services Chair Rick Medrick

• Blessed Sacrament Rep. James Groves

• Park Hill United Methodist Rep. Jacqui Shumway

Captain Crunch

Scarlet Malachite Beetles are a species of soft-winged flower beetles in the family Melyridae.They aren’t dangerous to humans or pets, and can be found in fields and meadows and on the flowers of herbaceous plants. The beetle’s larvae are frequently found near crops of grains that are grown for cereal. This Scarlet Malachite Beetle was photographed

Battle Of The Bugs

Tick-Borne Diseases Continue To Spread Countrywide

By Margot K. Vahrenwald, DVM, CVJ

Have you ever watched the 1997 movie Starship Troopers? It may not be Oscarworthy, but it is entertaining. As we get in all the updated statistics and forecasts on our bugs for this summer, I can’t help but feel like we need a few flame-throwing bug bombers for ourselves and our pets against ticks.

It’s evolution. The bugs were here before humans and will evolve to survive in a possibly post-human world far into the future.

For the past 20 years, the Companion Animal Parasite Council (CAPC) has issued annual forecasting maps for the most common parasites that are a source of disease for pets — mainly dogs — and people.

Ticks vectoring pathogens such as Lyme disease, ehrlichiosis, anaplasmosis and many others have long been spreading across the country. There are many reasons for this, and the biggest include changes in distribution and prevalence of different vector populations, an increased mobilization of pets for rehoming to different states, changes in wildlife populations and changes in habitat that bring parasites closer to us and our pets.

Why do we care? Because tick-borne diseases affect mammals, including humans. So, as we see increased positive test results for Lyme, Ehrlichia and Anaplasma in our canine and some feline patients, we must be concerned for the health of their human companions. A recent Wall Street Journal article, “Ticks, and Their Diseases, Spread Out,” focused on the difficulty of diagnosing tick-borne diseases in people because of vague, changing symptoms.

The 2023 forecast thankfully doesn’t show huge jumps in increased risk from last year — just slow and steady expansion of the territories of all the tick species across the U.S., including Colorado. When creating their forecasting, CAPC annual reviews test data from as many sources as possible, including national and local veterinary reference labs such as IDEXX, the Colorado Department of Environment and Public Health and veterinary teaching

hospital diagnostic labs. They remind us, however, that their numbers underestimate as they represent only about 30 percent of the pet population.

In Colorado, we used to simply have back-country ticks like the Rocky Mountain Wood tick and other less known Dermacentor species that are the carriers for Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever and Tularemia. Now in 2023, our tick species for the following are well established: the Lone Star Tick (diseases vectored: Ehrlichia and Anaplasma species, often in the same tick); the deer ticks (disease vectored: Lyme) and the Brown Dog tick (diseases vectored: Anaplasma, Lyme, Babesia, Ehrlichia canis and more).

Each of these tick species have some seasonality and preferences for locations –mostly grasslands, brushy areas and woodlands. But the Brown Dog tick prefers the great indoors to be closer to its primary target by moving indoors.

And, tick species also have variable timetables for being attached to a host for a blood meal before the female lays eggs in their environment. Most of them will attach for 3 to 5 days. But some, like the Rocky Mountain Wood tick or deer ticks, can stay attached for 10 days or longer while the creepy American Dog tick specializes in fast attack and is only attached for 10 to 120 minutes. The Lone Star tick attaches for 24-48 hours.

Cats can be infected by ticks as well as dogs, but seem to have more resistance as little is known and described about various tick-borne infections in felines.

What can you do to protect your dog? Speak with your veterinarian for the best options in oral to topical preventatives through at least the spring through fall months. And always, protect yourself appropriately when hiking.

Dr. Margot Vahrenwald

is the owner of Park Hill Veterinary Medical Center at 2255 Oneida St. For more information, visit parkhillvet.com

The challenges facing today’s retirees are unique. Higher inflation, skyrocketing healthcare costs, longer life expectancies, and complex Social Security rules all make much of the conventional retirement wisdom of the past obsolete. In this new era, it’s crucial that you take a fresh look at the challenges ahead and create a comprehensive plan to address them.

For 30 years, we’ve been working with people like you to address the challenges of the transition from accumulating their nest egg to using it to support their retirement lifestyle. Get in touch today to schedule a complimentary consultation.

at Bluff Lake just east of Park Hill by Mark Silverstein.

2510 E. Colfax, denverfilm.org, 303-5953456. Check the website for updates and information about its Virtual Cinema.

Free Zoom Tai Chi

Free morning beginner Tai Chi classes on Zoom every Friday at 10 a.m. and Wednesday at 6 p.m. Register at taichidenver.com/ beginner-tai-chi-zoom-class/. Longtime Park Hillians Jacqui and Joe, who teach the class, will send you the link to join.

Walk2Connect

www.walk2connect.com

Park Hill Sunrise Walking Trips happen every Tuesday from 7:15 a.m. to 8:15 a.m. Meet in front of Honey Hill Cafe at 23rd & Dexter Street for a casual, conversationalpaced community walk. Everyone is welcome to join.

Submit your neighborhood events and resources to editor@greaterparkhill.org

Deadlines are the 15th of the month, for the following month’s issue.

gphn c l A s s I f I eds

eLeCTRICIAN

1-TURN ELECTRICAL CONTRACTOR; SENIOR DISCOUNT; BONDED & INSURED; Jason 720-275-8299

fITNeSS

DO NOT MISS - OPENING WEEKEND

MAY 20TH! STARCYCLE DENVER - 1270

E. 17th Ave.; Uptown Cycling studio w/ craft-based onsite childcare

www.starcycleride.com; Limited time $99/ mo Founders Membership available for 1st 200 sign-ups! Limited time $58/mo Childcare Membership.

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, tuckpointing, chimneys, retaining walls, city sidewalks. Licensed, bonded, and insured. www.thebrickandstoneguy.com; 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.

Interior and exterior painting. Prep, power washing, professional. Owned and operated by Park Hill resident with over 20 years of experience. Free estimate. JR Painting

720-485-7207 or jpabz04@gmail.com

PLASTeR RePAIR

THE WALL REBUILDERS Interior plaster (and drywall) repair. We repair cracks, holes, crumbling walls, etc. Specializing in older homes, though we fix houses of every age. Dan and Laura Pino 303-698-1057

ROOfING

Residential reroofing and repairs, 17 years experience, licensed, bonded, and insured. Gutter replacement and cleaning. Call Shawn 303-907-9223

SKI & SNOWBOARD CARe

Affordable ski and snowboard waxing and tuning. Providing pickup and delivery to your residence. TEXT BRETT 303-5506166 www.centralparkskiboardtuning.com

TUTORING

Elementary/Middle School Math Support – Veteran teacher, professional license, flexible with location and scheduling, love partnering with families and students! Call/ text Seth 720-770-0218

TUCKPOINTING

Over 25 years experience. Fully insured. Mortar color and brick matching, broken brick replacement, cement chimney crown replacement. 12 years Chicago union experience. Mr. Chimney and Home Masonry Repair. Call Chuck Bahnsen 303-948-7999

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

TO ADVeRTISe IN The CLASSIfIeDS CONTACT BReNDA MORRISON newspaper@greaterparkhill.org 720-287-0442 (voicemail) the deadline for submitting a

Design and Renovation Specialists