Issuu

No. 1 Vol. 1

MARCH 18, 2022

LOCAL RESTAURANTS 4 | SPRING SPORTS PREVIEW 6 | PUEBLO ARTS 8 | HOMETOWN TOURIST 10

• DIG DEEPER •

Staying power: Adversity fails to dampen town spirit

By Juan Espinosa Special to The Pueblo Star Journal

or generations, life in this village of about 600 has been challenging. Aside from the current crop of teenagers, however, no one has plans to move anywhere else. Avondale is situated just east of Pueblo on the banks of the Arkansas River. The area’s biggest employers – the steel mill to the west and the Army’s Pueblo Chemical Depot to the north – can be seen in the distance. Since the days of famed settler Charles Autobee in the early 1800s, this fertile mesa has attracted hardy men and women to clear ground, dig canals and coax the earth into producing an abundance of foods. For more than a century, life in Avondale has ebbed from feast to famine and back as the prosperity of the steel mill, depot and Pueblo in general also fluctuated.

Despite an apparent lack of amenities, Soto declared, “Avondale is Colorado’s best-kept secret. It’s a small, close-knit community – that’s the best part of living in Avondale.” Her list of highlights includes community traditions such as the Sacred Heart Church Festival, the annual Veterans Parade and softball tournaments. The ART works on solutions to problems that affect physical and mental health, Soto said. For example, when COVID closed schools, many Avondale students did not have access to the internet to do their work. “I had to take my children to my uncle’s home in Pueblo to get online to do their school work,” said Kassi Robinson, a program specialist for the resident team. Avondale continued on page 14

The recent years of COVID have been particularly difficult, but nobody leaves. They just hunker down and get through. “Nobody wants to move,” observed resident Lynn Soto. “They’re older; some are retired from the depot.” Avondale is an unincorporated town that, for a lack of local government, relies on the Avondale Resident Team for direction. Soto is the team’s project director. The ART is in the fourth year of a five-year Colorado Trust grant that focuses on the health equity of the community.

Photos by Mike Sweeney, Special to The Pueblo Star Journal

Here to stay

Avondale is Pueblo County’s eastern-most town, with a population of just under 600.

MARCH 18, 2022

PSJ’s focus on local news honors city’s history and maps its future

am so excited about this first edition of the Pueblo Star Journal. The idea of a nonprofit model for news isn’t new, but it is revolutionary for our community. For the first time, we as citizens of Pueblo have the opPaula McPheeters portunity to invest in a paper that is locally created and dedicated solely to the news of Pueblo County. It belongs to us. There are many ways to access news about national and global events. The news that still matters most, though, is the news closest to where we live. As a college student, I interned for a United States senator. One of my duties was to scour the Pueblo Chieftain for news about our city and our citizens. That’s when it clicked for me: The big picture nationally doesn’t matter if we aren’t heard locally. When the actions of local leaders are a mystery, our community suffers the consequences. Trustworthy local news reporting removes that mystery and shines the light of transparency where it is most needed. That’s why I’m so proud to be part of building this newspaper. Puebloans want to know what’s happening with our

community at every level, from the newest restaurants to entertainment and culture and, of course, local news and newsmakers. We want the facts and details about our government, public safety and economic development. We want news that is based upon two factors - integrity and facts - so we have the best information at our disposal to make our own decisions. Pueblo’s history and traditions have made our city what it is. My dad spent 42 years working at CF&I (now Evraz). That history and the many other tales of Pueblo’s past grow more important to me as I get older. I’ve spent my entire life here and am raising my two sons to appreciate their hometown’s history. We’re unique. If you aren’t a native or near native, you may not understand the significance of the question, “Where did you go to high school?” That’s Pueblo. The neighborhood we’re from says a lot about our experiences. On perfect Steel City fall evenings, the Cannon and Bell football games mean everything. These rivalries divide us according to our high school allegiances but unite us in the love of local tradition as we watch our next generation experience it for the first time. I’m a South Side girl and a graduate of South High School, but I married a guy who graduated from East, South’s

main rival. We Puebloans know when and how to compromise on the important things! The stories and traditions of our past should continue to be a foundation of our future, but we also must recognize that our community is changing and growing in new ways. It’s time for news that does the same. We don’t always have to agree in order to have a strong community, as Pueblo has proven again and again. Uniformity and conformity don’t build connection; listening and understanding do. There is so much for us to learn from our stories and each other. As you read this edition of the Pueblo Star Journal, I hope you will see the value it brings. We are building a paper through the ingenuity, drive and desire of volunteers who want to see local news in Pueblo. This is our opportunity to take our community to the next level of engagement - one in which local news, produced by a locally owned paper and reporters with deep ties to Pueblo, brings more of our voices into the conversation. Paula McPheeters is a wife and mom above all else. She is a Pueblo native and works, lives and gives in her community. She is a member of the Pueblo Star Journal board of directors.

Providing a voice of, for and by Pueblo

few weeks ago, I was chatting with one of my advanced multimedia journalism students about demonstrations. This particular student has aspirations of political comRegan Foster mentary and is passionate about keeping abreast of the latest happenings in Washington, D.C., and Denver. It’s not uncommon to see them combing through General Assembly records, tracking the latest updates on bills of personal interest, or those championed by lawmakers whose policies this student finds engaging. Suffice it to say, this student is exceptionally well-informed. So it just so happened that on a recent Friday, as this student was combing through the latest in this legislative session’s bills, we got to talking about demonstrations. Particularly, why people engage in demonstrations that pertain to international crises and topics — and why they don’t. My student noted that it’s a challenge to get away from work, school and home obligations to participate in a rally. It should come as no surprise that I’m a First Amendment absolutist. I’ve never hid my appreciation for the constitutional dogma that ensures our right to

speak our minds, publish and disseminate news and information, practice the religion or faith of our choice, petition the government and peacefully assemble. These are rights, but they are also luxuries. Who has the capacity and the resources to take a few hours, days or even weeks from their busy lives to exercise those critical First Amendment rights? Who, historically, had the requisite resources? Now think about who shapes the messages we are presented every day. Who has the physical and human capital to spread the word? When I came to Pueblo in 2014 to run the editorial page of the local daily newspaper, I was honored by the responsibility and delighted by the ownership the community felt over the paper. Rare was the week I didn’t receive a letter, email or phone call telling me that I was just wrong. Not that I had made a factual mistake, mind you, but that my opinion was 180 degrees wrong. Pueblo, you felt empowered to share those ideas because you knew the outlet was democratic enough to provide a platform for you. Whether an op-ed, letter or vignette about your weird job, you had a space to share your ideas, opinions and experiences – and you invested your time, efforts and emotion to do so. Research repeatedly shows that when reliable sources of news and information start to diminish,

so, too, does government oversight and the economic and cultural health of communities. Anecdotally, we’ve heard it makes it harder to engage with your community and have a deep enough understanding of local events that you can confidently formulate informed opinions. The Pueblo Star Journal is committed to being a place for your voice. Whether we’re doing the storytelling or you are, the team at this paper, guided by its founding pillars, will provide the information you need to formulate opinions and the space to share them. The team is committed to providing news of, by and for Pueblo; it isn’t beholden to corporate bottom lines. It is locally generated and operated by friends, residents and neighbors. This paper is truly yours. Its volunteer management, board of directors and community advisory board are all here, working long hours not to build personal wealth, but to rebuild the wealth of ideas and communication in this community. It’s what Pueblo demands and what you deserve. Pueblo County resident Regan Foster is a professor of journalism at Colorado State University Pueblo and faculty advisor to the student-run newspaper The Today; a founding member of the Pueblo Star Journal; an 18-year veteran of print and broadcast news; and a member of the Southern Colorado Press Club board of directors.

s I’ve shared many times, there are a couple of ways to end up in Pueblo: Either your car breaks down on I-25 or the city grabs you with an emotional hook and you find yourself diving into its hisGregory Howell tory, culture and arts. Ten years ago I answered the call of a team of doctors and entrepreneurs and came from out of state to help launch a new business based in Pueblo. In a few short years, we opened seven clinics across Colorado and one in Texas – but I stayed here. Even if you did not graduate from a Pueblo high school, you can be welcomed into the community of alumni. Whenever I engage in a new project, I have a process that helps me understand my choices in an informed manner. Over the past decade, I have learned that critical thinking is often absent from decision making and, to make matters worse, empathy is often left curbside. When I engage in turning ideas into action, I look for three critical areas of strength – community, creativity and courage.

When the local media landscape in Pueblo changed and we were faced with a voice and narrative that were no longer hyper-local or representative of the community, it was time to have conversations with others who understand that news is a community asset. News organizations around the world are now rethinking their mission and Pueblo is no different. Starting at the grassroots level, I heard a range of perspectives shared by Puebloans. Many felt it was time to rethink the future of local news given the diminished amount of local coverage. Change is hard. It takes failure and a lot of courage to make a difference for our future. Pueblo has the courage and the capacity to face the challenges before us today. Over the past several months, professional journalists and community volunteers have honored the call and are building an innovative news publication that honors the historic Star-Journal evening paper and offers reliable news coverage for all Puebloans. We are fresh out of the gates with this inaugural print edition – something that would not have been possi-

ble without leadership, strategy, commitment, funding and a true desire to communicate the important local issues of the day. We are lean and mean and have a passion for telling Pueblo’s stories. Exploration, discovery and self-expression have been key drivers in the development of Pueblo since its earliest beginnings. History, culture and the arts have empowered individuals to share their stories. Humanity can get messy, but a community that embraces and understands the power of light and creativity is more apt to be fluid and flexible in the process of problem solving. Change agents in the Pueblo community welcome diversity and encourage participation and ownership from all stakeholders in the conversation. I cannot thank the Pueblo community enough for its love of locally driven journalism. The Pueblo Star Journal truly is a community asset and I hope you will support the paper in its ongoing development and expansion. Gregory Howell is a founder of the Pueblo Star Journal, president of the PSJ board of directors and a storyteller. He is a champion for Pueblo, his adopted home.

MARCH 18, 2022

Community, creativity and courage define Pueblo and the PSJ

DAWNING OF A NEW CHAPTER IN PUEBLO NEWS

Send donation checks to: Positive Content, c/o Pueblo Star Journal Fund 303 S. Santa Fe Ave., Pueblo CO 81003

or donate online: PuebloStarJournal.org/Donate

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Board of Directors: Gregory Howell, Paula McPheeters, Leslie Nazario, Caroline Trani Advisory Board: Regan Foster, Nicki Hart, Kennedy Pugh, Susan Wolf, Chantal Woodyard Creative Director and Designer: Melissa Edwards Paid Contributors: Juan Espinosa, Justin Morenz, Brandon Samora, Mike Sweeney, Rebecca VanGorder Special thanks to: Positive Content, Artisan Textile Company, Bay’s Meat Market, Blo Back Gallery, Colorado Arts & Artists Associates, CSU Pueblo Department of Media Communication, The Dig, Economic Development Council of Colorado (EDCC), Fuel & Iron, Johnny’s Boiler Shop, Legacy Bank, MMK Estates, Perko Law, Pueblo Chieftain Printing, Pueblo Electronics, Pueblo Film Commission, Pueblo Food Guide, Rocky Mountain Creative Experience, Tuxedo Ranch, Watertower Place, Amy Matthew, Ryan McWilliams, Anthony Perko, Jayson Peters, Doug Reeder and Jody Sanders Rational Media Ltd. dba The Pueblo Star Journal is fiscally sponsored by Positive Content. As a fiscal s ponsor, Positive C ontent a cts a s a n u mbrella o rganization for our mission-focused work, and accepts and administers funds on our behalf. Positive Content is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization which makes all donations to us tax deductible.

Illustration by Justin Morenz, Special to The Pueblo Star Journal

MARCH 18, 2022

Post-COVID landscape takes shape for Pueblo restaurants

By Rebecca VanGorder Special to The Pueblo Star Journal

OVID-19 will loom large for years to come in the collective memory of everyone whose lives it has affected. The far-reaching and often turbulent impact it had left nothing unscathed, least of all the food service industry. Restaurants – many of them small businesses – already face an uphill battle in a generous economy. With COVID shutdowns, mask and vaccine mandates, and supply and labor shortages, the food industry has been hard hit. What does that mean for Pueblo’s food landscape?

The newcomer

Fairly new on the scene is Blackbox Coffee and Provisions. The restaurant opened in June 2021 on the corner of Court and West 15th streets, well after the initial wave of COVID-19 and the ensuing shutdowns. This turned out to be a blessing in disguise for the owners, Anthony Hill and Cordelia Smith-

Hill, and their son, Ryan (who runs the café), as they adapted to a world changed forever. They tweaked their menu and were better prepared for the challenges presented by this revised version of the restaurant industry. “We had the luxury of kind of rethinking our menu, realigning it towards food that would travel well,” Anthony Hill said. By offering local products, Blackbox has avoided most of the supply chain issues that have plagued others in the industry. Nor has the labor shortage affected the café. The inspiration for the restaurant came from Boxpark restaurants in London. Hill and his wife are self-styled foodies who wanted to share their passion for travel and food with the denizens of Pueblo.

A neighborhood staple

For one of Pueblo’s oldest restaurants, El Nopal, the battle was uphill throughout the pandemic and the recovery is anemic so far, said owner George Torres. “To be honest, it’s been rough these last two years,” he said. “We’re a business that’s been around for almost 70 years so without our customer support, you know, it’s just been rough.” He talked about the supply chain issues El Nopal faces, from produce to chicken to carryout products. “Every week when I – Tiffany Gernazio order stuff, it’s a challenge,” Torres said. “You know, (with) a small business, you can’t carry a lot of things at one time, but now we’re finding that when you do find a product, now you’re ordering three or four cases where you

“I figured this would be a great time to open the food truck because you’re outside and everyone distances themselves anyway.”

were only ordering one or two just because you’re afraid of not being able to get it.” In addition, El Nopal has been facing a labor shortage hurdle that seems bleak. “I think one of the hardest things that I’ve ever had to do since I’ve owned this business was that day that they shut everything down and I had to let people go,” Torres said. He said at least five times during the pandemic, he and his wife and daughter were the only ones running the restaurant. The employees that had to be let go moved on to other jobs, leaving Torres to try to build a new employee pool. “I’ve just never seen anything like this. You know… food service has always had a high turnover in employees. That’s no secret. But nothing like now,” Torres said. Hope is not lost at El Nopal, however. The Bessemer restaurant’s new Blue Cactus Room will have its grand opening March 25. The concept was borne

On the north end of town at 940 Eagleridge Blvd. sits Shah’s Kabob and Gyro. Opened by Pueblo native Andrew Shah in 2018, this brick-andmortar location was the evolution of Shah’s food truck. Shah, too, has been hit by what some have dubbed the Great Resignation. “It’s hard to find employees, no doubt. That’s challenging. When I first opened it wasn’t as bad, but I’ve seen a decline of applicants,” Shah said. Aside from finding employees, he said Shah’s has done well. “When they did the no dine-in (mandate), that’s when I doubled down on marketing and just really pushed carryouts. And then we built our own in-house website,” Shah said. He drew on his food truck experience to adapt and overcome the hurdles set by COVID lockdowns. “If anyone was ever interested in doing this type of business, definitely that’s the route to take. Go through a food truck and learn; take the baby steps, because when we transitioned in here we already had a good menu built. We were familiar with how to cook things, so we were very prepared.” Shah does have another truck in the works and is looking into opening another location further north in the Fountain area.

Going mobile

One of the up-and-coming food trucks in the Pueblo area is Papa Mario’s Grilled Cheese Truck, owned and operated by Tiffany Gernazio. “I was working at McAlister’s at the time the pandemic started and decided to jump out and start this,” Gernazio said. “I had seen how we weren’t allowed to have customers in the building and everyone had to be so far apart, and I figured this would

Blackbox Provisions:

MARCH 18, 2022

Blackbox Provisions: 1437 Court St., 719-696-9587 or blackboxprovisions.com

El Nopal: 1435 E. Evans Ave., 719-564-9784 or elnopalpueblo.com

Shah’s Kabob and Gyro: 940 Eagleridge Blvd., 719-766-1088 or pickupshahs.com

1437 Court St., 719-696-9587 or blackboxprovisions.com

El Nopal:

1435 E. Evans Ave., 719-564-9784 or elnopalpueblo.com

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Branching out

be a great time to open the food truck because you’re outside and everyone distances themselves anyway.” Her decision is paying off: Papa Mario’s won the People’s Choice, Best Truck, and Governor’s Plate awards at the Colorado State Fair in 2021. Labor isn’t an issue when you have family to help, as Gernazio does. “My family helps me on here, so my daughter, my brother – everybody in the family works,” she said. As for supply-chain issues, the only ones Papa Mario’s has experienced is getting products for a to-go business. Gernazio makes it clear, though, that these issues have been minimal. “Right before the pandemic hit, my dad actually had passed away, so we did it in honor of him,” Gernazio said, explaining where the name of her truck originated. The menu also reflects those strong family bonds with little explanations of the food offerings. As for the choice of cuisine, Gernazio said, “Come on, in all honesty, Pueblo’s a huge pot town. You know – the munchies. I just thought it was perfect.” The pandemic and shutdowns caused harm to many businesses, but Pueblo’s food scene remains robust and appears to be rising to meet the challenges presented over the past two years. New and established restaurant owners have taken these trials head on and changed the way they do things to keep moving forward and continue serving their Pueblo customers.

Photos by Rebecca VanGorder

from an idea for a blues speakeasy. Torres didn’t want to limit it to just blues, though, so the room will feature other music and entertainment, too. The room is meant to be like an oldschool supper club, reviving a concept that young and old alike can enjoy – dinner and live music without having to go to a bar or club.

Shah’s Kabob and Gyro:

940 Eagleridge Blvd., 719-766-1088 or pickupshahs.com

Papa Mario’s Grilled Cheese:

719-252-5595 or Facebook, @Papamariosgrilledcheesetruck Papa Mario’s Grilled Cheese food truck: 719-252-5595 or Facebook, @Papamariosgrilledcheesetruck

MARCH 18, 2022

Pueblo preps spring sports preview By Brandon Samora Special to The Pueblo Star Journal

Centennial High School lost several key players to graduation, but notable returners such as juniors Jordon West and Joseph Cardinal should help ease the Bulldogs’ transition. In four appearances on the mound last season, West finished 2-1 with a 1.31 ERA. He also hit .375, the highest average for any returning player from last season. Cardinal sported a .294 average last year and will be a key part of the infield. After finishing last season at 10-7, the Central Wildcats expect to be contenders this year as their young talent finally gets a chance to play a full season. Sophomores Ethan Ayala, Ethan Martinez and Zach Mehess look to continue their dominance from last

Photos from Adobe Stock

pring sports season is here for Pueblo’s high schools. Athletes are preparing to contend against each other and Pueblo’s volatile spring weather. Local baseball teams are eager to get started on time and with a full season scheduled; last year’s start date was pushed all the way back to May and the season rolled deep into June due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Girls golf, soccer and tennis are lined up for competitive seasons and Pueblo’s standout track and field athletes are once again ready to roll. Here are capsules of each sport and some of the notable players to watch this spring.

Baseball

season, as all three hit above .320. Hugo Sanchez-Algien will return on the mound for the Wildcats; he had eight appearances in 2021 with a 3.47 ERA. The East Eagles had a competitive season in 2021, finishing at 10-7, and got solid production from multiple players. Pitcher Michael Casillas is a double threat who made seven appearances, holding a 3.97 ERA, and contributed offensively by batting .421. Delvin Ada was the RBI leader last year; a utility player defensively, Ada will be a leader and a primary contributor for the Eagles. The Eagles will be without a home field this season as construction of the new East High has taken over the baseball field. Pueblo County finished multiple games in 2021 with double-digit wins. The Hornets’ key returners include Joel Gonzales, Peyton Miller, Derrick Domenico and Jace Barger. All four hit above .349 last season and Domenico finished with an average of .407. The Pueblo West Cyclones used a late-season push to reach an 8-2 mark in 2021. Some big returners for West will be Devin Garbiso, Andrew Plutt, Danny Spence, Dylon Neff and Jerimiah Sanchez. Spence led the Cyclones last year with a batting average of .556, 15 RBI and seven doubles. South High School is looking to bounce back from a tough league stretch in 2021. Coach Pete Carrillo will field a roster that has contributors throughout the lineup, including young players who received plenty of experience last year. Jordan Polito hit .381 and will be a key player in the outfield. Justin Arellano carried a .407 batting average and was a solid defensive contributor. The Colts are primed to put up some big numbers this season.

Girls golf

Though small in numbers, the local girls golf programs will tee off with tight competition for 2022 supremacy. The Pueblo County Hornets had solid success last season and will try to maintain that level of competitiveness

after losing some of their 2021 state qualifiers. Some players to watch for the Hornets will be Samantha Hansen, Grace Andrews and Alexis Roblek. At East High School, coach Joe Terry will lead the two-player squad of Gabriella McClelland and Maisyn Jubic. Across town at South High, Coach DJ Johnson will rely on three big returners from last season – Ashley Hughes, Sophia Johnson and Anahi Lopez. Centennial, Central and Pueblo West round out the teams competing against each other and Pueblo’s notorious spring weather for the chance to qualify for state.

Girls soccer

Led by longtime coach Jeff Sterling, the Centennial Bulldogs hope to build on the success of 2021, when they had a 10-0 record in the regular season and were a No. 6 seed in the Class 4A tournament. Centennial lost in the first round of the playoffs but hopes to rebound this year. Players to watch in 2022 include Kylee Farrera and Haylie Villalpando. The Central Wildcats are looking to rebound after a tough season in 2021. Coach Perry Gridley will rely on the play of veterans Mariana Santisteven, Halee Garcia and Sage Alfonso. The East Eagles, coached by Andrew Tafoya, look to push past its lone league win of last year. Myrssa Jaramillo, Sole Lefebre, Alexis Sisneros and Jocelyn Estrada return to lead the Eagles. The Pueblo County Hornets and coach Bailey Thomas are ready to push for the S-CL title in 2022. Some key players to watch for the Hornets will be Pierson Weimer, Macey Martinez, Marissa Faris and Lauren Leyh. Pueblo West just missed out on the 2021 playoffs and will be playing with ambition this season. Coach Tim Decker will rely on an experienced Cyclone squad that includes Savannah Franzoli, Ella Brewer, Kaitlyn Peterson, Demi Winters and Violette Moore. The South Colts look to build on a

Girls tennis

Centennial’s tennis squad had success in 2021 with several members qualifying for regionals. Notable players for coach Deidra Roque’s squad for 2022 include Marissa Ayala, Jenna Lewis, Elise Pasquin and Audriana Sauceda. Central coach Russell Guerrero is excited for the 2022 season. Freshman Isabella Guzman is one player to watch, as well as siblings Dayna and Danielle DeYoung. Coached by Brad Gerler, the East Eagles look to top players Skylar Clark and Alana Duran to lead this year’s team. With no seniors on the roster, the season will be about learning and becoming more competitive with each match. The Pueblo County Hornets only have one senior, Sienna Duran, on the roster for 2022. The team will look to

Duran for leadership as it works its way through the season. Head coach Sam Pisciotta coached Pueblo West to a record of 46-9 last season. Returning the No. 1 doubles pairing of Raeann Savage and Lindsey Aguilar should put the Cyclones in position for success, as will the return of Jordan Hunt and Savannah Baca. Veteran coach Norm Vail hopes to lead a young and inexperiencedSouth team that will improve each week. Colts players to watch include Jaylin Gallegos, Lauryn Gollihugh, Elianna Highfill, Jezilee Mondragon, Sara Sanches and Holly Tran.

Track and field

Centennial coach Ron Garcia will lead a young group of 35 athletes including veterans James Chacon, Owen Jones, Nadia Jackson and Teah Valdez. Central and coach Brian Domina made a statement last year, winning South-Central Meet Nos. 6 and 7. The Wildcats return key performers Xavier Davis, Ethan Martinez-Ratliff, Gabreielle Dunich and Seven Wilton.

MARCH 18, 2022

6-4 season last year. Madison Bussey, Jayda Estrada, Madi Reardon and Bella Garcia will provide leadership and experience for TJ Thiebaut’s 2022 group.

The East Eagles, led by coach Tony Valdez, expect to have some competitive runners and throwers this season. Some athletes to watch will be Leyah Martinez, Xavier Freeman, Evan Ortiz, Oscar Michel Flores, Brandon Atencio, Cesar Sanchez, Rocco Rowell and Tatum Rivera. Martinez and Freeman both were state runners-up in 2021. Pueblo County standouts to watch this year include Isabella Paul, Jasmine Crawford, Seth Sherwood and Cody Lanier. All Hornets have April 2 circled on the calendar; it’s the date for the Hornet Invitational at Dutch Clark Stadium. Pueblo West took the boys and

girls S-CL titles in 2021 and expects to compete again this season. Coach Brandi Menegatti can count on returning runners Isaac Eide (3200 meters), Adam Armstrong (400) and Aspen Fullbright (800), as well as Sway Yates, who brought home the discus title last season. Coach Clint Zundel leads a South team that is riding a wave of momentum into 2022. The Colt girls took first place in two S-CL meets and the boys won the District 2 Invitational. Some athletes to watch Brooke Huth, Emily Abraham, Mailee Holley, Frankie Decesaro, Andres Cura and Jeremiah Sanders.

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Photos by Gregory Howell

MARCH 18, 2022

State of the arts in the Steel City

By Gregory Howell

here’s plenty to explore in Pueblo’s award-winning Creative Corridor that covers Downtown, the Historic Union Avenue District and Mesa Junction. It’s filled with galleries, museums, street sculptures and murals, gardens, cafés, local shops and live music and poetry – all ready to challenge your imagination and inspire your visit. This art survey includes visits to the Blo Back Gallery, Pueblo Arts Alliance, Pueblo Heritage Museum and Steel City Art Works.

“Project 43: A Nude Study” by Jeffry Moore

Steel City Art Works on Union Avenue

Blo Back Gallery, 131 Spring St. Project 43 grew out of another project and created the inspiration necessary for Moore to expand his thoughts on the human form. “Coming out of the pandemic has felt like everything is a slight blur,” he said. “By pulling in the focus, using a color shift and cropping the images in a medium format, I learned that I had been carrying an overwhelming weight and as a result my creative process has been dragging for months.”

“For Sickness or Worse” by Kodi Delaney

Blo Back Gallery (through March 25) According to the artist during her gallery talk, this series is a personal journey through struggles with mental health and how it manifests itself physically in day-to-day life. It took nearly a year to be formally diagnosed with depression – a surprise, since her experiences seemed to be mostly physical – migraines, nausea, fainting spells, a loss in libido, nutrient deficiency anemia, among others. The diagnosis revealed how physically debilitating a mental health issue can be. The exhibit is a visual representation of what crippling depression can feel like.

“Retro-Introspective: 50 Years of the Artwork of L. Savas Razo”

Liminal Space Gallery, Pueblo Arts Alliance, 107 S. Grand Ave. L. Savas Razo taught digital media at both Pueblo Community College and District 60 for two decades. He earned his degree in fine arts from Colorado State University Pueblo. He experiments with multiple media including drawing, painting,

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Pueblo Heritage Museum, 201 W. B St. (through March) Cindy Adams is a Pueblo artist with a passion for painting figures and animals. She has exhibited her work locally and nationally. With two rambunctious dogs and a spoiled cat, Adams knows the love and bond between people and their pets.

MARCH 18, 2022

Kayleigh Shinn and Cindy Adams

Kayleigh Shinn is a Pueblo native and registered nurse who enjoys oil painting in her free time. She studied under Adams for several years and this is her first exhibit.

Sharon Orman Rodman showcase

Steel City Art Works, 216 S. Union Ave. This curated collection of works by regional artist Sharon Orman Rodman features her paintings and unique fiber art hangings. Rodman has extensive experience exhibiting her work and teaches classes in everything from painting to weaving.

Artists L. Savas Razo (left in hat), photographer Jeffry Moore (middle) and sculptor Eric McCue

The First Friday crowd at Blo Back Gallery spills outside

March 2022 Big Blo at Blo Back Gallery

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digital photography and sculpture but this is his first major exhibit to include works that have never been shown publicly.

Photo by Melissa Edwards

MARCH 18, 2022

RIVERWALK/UNION AVENUE/DOWNTOWN

Hometown tourist: Plan your spring break adventures S

Pueblo Mountain Park

9161 Pueblo Mountain Park Road, Beulah 719-553-2795 Hours: Open daily, dawn to dusk Admission: Free www.pueblo.us/Facilities/Facility/Details/ Pueblo-Mountain-Park-64 A quick trip west of the city leads to miles of trails for exploring.

pring break beckons for both of Pueblo’s K-12 school districts, Pueblo Community College and Colorado State University Pueblo. What to do? No need to head out of town. Here is just a sample of Pueblo County’s many entertaining possibilities to occupy your treasured vacation time.

Bishop Castle

12705 State Highway 165, Rye 719-564-4366 Hours: Open daily, no scheduled hours of operation Admission: Free www.bishopcastle.org What can one man with a vision accomplish? Make this short trip to the southern part of the county to find out.

Pueblo Electronics Supply is a locally owned Pueblo business that strives to maintain a strong relationship with its customers. It is an evolution of a long-standing business in the community that is now fully local. We offer an array of electronic components and products that are not easily found elsewhere and we pride ourselves on our vast knowledge and tremendous customer service. Come see us and let us know how we can assist you in your work or hobbies alike!

729 Fortino Blvd Suite B, Pueblo, CO 81008

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(719) 542-1924

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Lake Pueblo State Park

640 Pueblo Reservoir Road 719-561-9320 Hours: Open 24 hours per day (visitors must be “actively engaged in camping in a designated site, fishing or boating” between 10 p.m. and 5 a.m., per website) Admission: $10 for daily vehicle pass w w w. c pw. s t a t e. c o. u s / p l a c e s t o g o / p a r k s / LakePueblo Water, open skies and room to roam - and it’s all in Pueblo’s backyard.

Pueblo City-County Library District

719-562-5600 - main number for all branches www.pueblolibrary.org There’s always something happening at Pueblo’s libraries and schedules for each branch are available on the website.

Riverwalk/Union Avenue/Downtown

Hours: Open daily; business/attraction hours vary Admission: Free www.puebloriverwalk.org Explore the heart of Pueblo, including the Veterans’ Bridge on the Riverwalk, Medal of Honor Memorial at the Pueblo Convention Center, Union Avenue shops and plenty of local restaurants to feed hungry kids and adults.

Neon Alley

Downtown Pueblo across from Union Depot - alley between West B and West C streets, bordered by Union and Victoria avenues Hours: Open every night Admission: Free The lights are always bright and colorful along this little strip of history - a nice destination on an evening walk.

Center for American Values

101 S. Main St., Suite 100 719-543-9502 Hours: 10 a.m.-4 p.m. daily Admission: Free www.americanvaluescenter.org Learn about the country’s Medal of Honor recipients, including the four from Pueblo, as well as groups and organizations that exemplify the best of American character.

Pueblo Weisbrod Aircraft Museum

El Pueblo History Museum

Steelworks Center of the West

Pueblo Heritage Museum

Sangre de Cristo Arts & Conference Center

5200 Nature Center Rd. (mountain campus located in Pueblo Mountain Park) 719-549-2327 Hours: 11 a.m.-4 p.m. Tuesday-Sunday Admission: Free; guided tours and educational programs available for varying fees www.hikeandlearn.org Take a walk along the Arkansas River, visit the Raptor Center or just absorb the surrounding beauty nestled within our city. 301 N. Union Ave. 719-583-0453 Hours: 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Tuesday-Saturday Admission: Adults, $5; youth (7-17), student (with ID), seniors (65+), active duty military and veterans, $4; children 6 & younger, free historycolorado.org/el-pueblo-history-museum Discover the history of Pueblo through exhibits, the archaeological excavation site of the original 1842 El Pueblo trading post and a re-created 1840s adobe trading post and plaza. 201 W. B St. 719-295-1517 Hours: 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Tuesday-Saturday Admission: Adults, $6; students, seniors (55+) & military, $5; children (6-12), $4 www.theheritagecenter.us The heritage of Southeastern Colorado - people, schools, business, sports and daily life - is kept alive through the museum’s exhibits.

Pueblo Railway Museum

301 W. B St., Suite 100 719-544-1773 Hours: Open daylight hours seven days a week Admission: Free (self-guided tours); train rides available only during museum events ($6-$18) www.pueblorailway.org The mission of the all-volunteer Pueblo Railway Foundation is to “operate, preserve and display railroad equipment and history,” highlighting Pueblo’s important role in the industry.

31001 Magnuson Ave. 719-948-9219 Hours: 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Monday-Saturday; 1-4 p.m. Sunday Admission: Ages 7+, $10; retired military & seniors (60+), $8; active duty military, free; children (6 and younger), free when accompanied by adult www.pwam.org The museum is home to the state’s largest collections of military, space and civilian aircraft, vehicles and artifacts. 215 Canal St. 719-564-9086 Hours: 10 a.m.-12 p.m. and 1-3 p.m. Tuesday-Saturday Admission: Adults, $8; children, $4; PCC and CSU Pueblo students with valid school ID, free www.steelworks.us facebook.com/steelworksus Learn about the history of the steel industry in Pueblo - and its impact on the city and surrounding region - through the buildings, archives and artifacts of the Colorado Fuel & Iron Company. Buell Children’s Museum 210 N. Santa Fe Ave. 719-295-7200 Hours: 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Tuesday-Saturday; closed Sunday-Monday Admission: Adults, $10; children, military and seniors (65+), $8 www.sdc-arts.org The arts center features multiple exhibits while the children’s museum offers a place for youngimaginations to roam. Note: At press time, the arts center and children’s museum remained closed for water main repairs. Visit website or facebook.com/puebloartscenter for updates.

Rosemount Museum

419 W. 14th St. 719-545-5290 Hours: 10 a.m.-3 p.m. Tuesday-Saturday Admission: Adults, $8; children (6-18), $5; seniors (60+), $6; 5 and younger, free www.rosemount.org Home to the Thatcher family, this historic mansion was built in 1893 and showcases nearly all of the home’s original furnishings, construction, artwork and accessories.

MARCH 18, 2022

Nature and Wildlife Discovery Center River Campus

PUEBLO CITY-COUNTY LIBRARY DISTRICT

| PUEBLOSTARJOURNAL.ORG

3455 Nuckolls Ave. (City Park) 719-561-1452 Hours: 9 a.m.-4 p.m. daily Admission: Adults, $14; children (3-17), $10; senior/military, $11; military child, $7; ages 3 and younger, free www.pueblozoo.org One of Pueblo’s long-standing attractions awaits and so does its surrounding park.

Courtesy image, Carol M. Highsmith via Wikipedia

Pueblo Zoo

MARCH 18, 2022

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CUSTOM GATES & FENCING

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STRUCTURAL & ARCHITECTURAL STEEL, STAINLESS & ALUMINUM

Photos by Mike Sweeney, Special to The Pueblo Star Journal

MARCH 18, 2022 Avondale is Pueblo County’s eastern-most town, with a population of just under 600.

Avondale: A community growing its future

Continued from page 1

The team coordinated a solution that involved the Pueblo County Commissioners, Avondale Community Center, Boys and Girls Club and the club’s youth council. After the youth council members made a presentation to the commissioners, the community center got improved internet service. The ART now is working on improving internet service for the entire community. The community’s young people are a high priority. That’s why the resident team has provided $250,000 to help

Cattle graze in a field along Martin Lane March 2, 2022, in Avondale. The small, unincorporated town is surrounded by ranches and farmland.

keep the Boys and Girls Club open since 2016, Soto said.

One more hurdle

With the pandemic lightening its grip, life began to return to normal in this town where normal was already tough enough. Then a couple of thieves in the night set the town back a bit. On Sept. 2, 2021, thieves drove a vehicle through the wall of Avondale’s only convenience store and stole the ATM. In one instant, the main source of basic groceries, gas and banking was out of commission. Three months later, the Loaf ’N Jug reopened, but the ATM and a Subway shop did not return. Though surrounded by some of the most productive farm lands in Colorado, Avondale is a food desert, as defined by the U.S. Department of Agriculture: “...(T)hese regions of the country often feature large proportions of households with low incomes, inadequate access to transportation, and a limited number of food retailers providing fresh produce and healthy groceries for affordable prices.” Roughly one-third of the Avondale population lives below poverty. Almost three of four residents (72 percent) are Hispanic; many among the

“We live a simple country life and raise our own food. ... We grow a big garden and we raise pigs, goats, chickens and rabbits.” – Erica Birner other 25 percent are Italian. When the Loaf ’N Jug was closed, the closest convenience store was almost 6 miles away – and not everyone in the town has transportation, Soto noted. Senior Resource Development Agency Director Steve Nawrocki said his agency is providing transportation services to the community through a rural area transportation grant. “We can bring people from Avondale to Pueblo to buy groceries, see a doctor or for other reasons,” he said. “When the Boys and Girls Club closes at night, we give the kids rides home in our van.” Anyone interested in scheduling SRDA’s transportation must first complete an application to be entered into the computer system. To receive an application in the mail, call 719-5533436. “There is no eligibility requirement,” explained George Chintala, director of transportation. “We can transport any age. We just need three working days’ advance notice.”

Caring for the community

For those unable to go elsewhere to get their food, the community makes sure that groceries are available to them in a number of ways. The easiest is the self-service blessing box in the heart of town in front of the former Arapahoe grocery store. The 20-cubic-foot pantry is stocked with free nonperishable food ranging from pasta, rice and macaroni and cheese to canned tomato paste and veggies. The blessing box is one of more than 20 in Pueblo County built by GT Davis of Pueblo. Davis builds the boxes; volunteers put them up and keep them stocked. Soto said resident team volunteers check on the box several times a week. For more substantial quantities and varieties of foods, Care and Share Food Bank brings a mobile market to town twice a month. When Care and Share’s mobile pantry rolled into town in early March, Soto and a group of volunteers sprang into action. Townspeople gathered in the Sacred Heart Church parking lot while volunteers

‘Simple country life’

Across the street and up the road from Johnny’s Diner is Avondale’s oldest business, Chuck’s Place. It opened in 1928, according to bartender Erica Birner. She and her husband, James, have run the bar for the past 14 years. Chuck’s is like a time machine that takes you back to an era when everybody knew everybody. The regulars don’t always speak first, but they listen to every word a newcomer says. When

Jennifer Trujillo sorts produce at the Care And Share mobile food pantry in Avondale on March 2, 2022. The program serves a number of Avondale-area residents who can’t afford groceries or lack transportation to drive to the nearest small food store, 6 miles away in Vineland.

MARCH 18, 2022

and features a variety of homemade entrees, from pulled pork to tamales. One-pound hamburgers are $16 – but if you’re really hungry or need to feed a crowd, go for a double or triple one-pounder for $19 and $22, respectively. A weathered “help wanted” sign is in the window. The woman serving hamburgers said she would stay open more hours if she could find help. For more food options, the ART is working on another long-term solution – the reopening of the Arapahoe grocery store. Members have been meeting with Jason Wells, a butcher from Idaho Springs who bought the closed store and the adjacent tractor shop in 2020. Wells’ claim to fame is that he says he is the “last certified master butcher in Colorado.” The state stopped certifying butchers in 1983, he said, and “I was the last one.” The resident team, Wells and others in the community are working to finance the reopening of the store, which long ago was the site of the town trading post.

James Birner tries to keep a week-old goat from escaping its pen while other farm animals gather. Birner and his wife, Erica, raise goats, chickens, rabbits, turkeys, peacocks and a pony at their 1-acre Avondale home.

spoken to, most patrons become downright chatty. The town’s only bar and the adjacent liquor store survived the pandemic closures, reopening with limited hours and distancing. Erica lamented that she and James are the only employees and close on Mondays so they can have a day off. She, too, would like to find hired help. In response to a question about where she and James get their food, she said, “We live a simple country life and raise our own food.” Noting an air of skepticism, she said, “We grow a big garden and we raise pigs, goats, chickens and rabbits.” Do they have a farm outside of town? No. The “farm” is just outside Chuck’s back door. Around the corner from the smokers and barbecue grills, past the horseshoe pits, is an array of pens, sheds and shaded open areas. James offered a tour. The pens house a menagerie of animals including newborn rabbits, chicks, hens and roosters, a shaggy miniature pony, nine goats, two peacocks, one French hen and an assortment of other birds. James, an Avondale native, was living in Colorado Springs when he was drawn back to his childhood home. He traces his pioneer blood back to his great-grandfather, Charles “Chuck” Tuttoilmondo, who started Chuck’s Place with his wife, Rose. Rose was an Autobee – a descendant of Charles Autobee.

“Now I’m living my dream,” he said with his arms outstretched. “I just want to make it on my own, eat our own food.” It’s a bare-bones operation. James proudly proclaimed that every bit of the neat, zoo-like farm was built with materials others had thrown away. Long before the pandemic, food scarcity and economic hard times, the Birners cleared the weeds, built pens and fences and began enriching the earth with organic mulch, just like the Avondale pioneers who preceded them. “We’re worried about the future,” James said. “We need to go back to the old ways. That’s why these people lived forever.”

AVONDALE AT A GLANCE

Population: 594 Median age: 34.3 (U.S. median 37.4) Average annual income (individual): $15,271 (national average $28,555) Median household income: $45,313 (national average $53,482) Percentage of residents living in poverty (2019): 32.1% overall — 37.9% for White non-Hispanic residents, 29.2% for Hispanic or Latino residents Race: 72.7% Hispanic; 27.3% White Median home price: $185,900

| PUEBLOSTARJOURNAL.ORG

unpacked a cornucopia of fresh fruits and vegetables, milk, eggs, cereals and pastries for distribution. “Last week we had 75 households,” Soto said. “When COVID first hit, we were doing 120 households.” While a driver and volunteers got things ready, the line of recipients grew to more than 40, most with boxes or tote bags in hand. It was a friendly crowd; they waved or called out to new arrivals, shaking hands or giving abrazos – hugs – to the folks around them. In addition to a food distribution, it was an overdue social event. On the same afternoon, across the parking lot of the church, Los Pobres center was distributing more food and clothing and doctors and nurses were seeing patients. Los Pobres has been offering a variety of services, primarily to migrant families, for 30 years. Sister Nancy Crafton, a member of the Sisters of Charity, has operated the center for the past 22 years. Los Pobres is open Tuesday mornings and Thursday afternoons, seeing an average of 200 clients every week. Another popular source for a hot meal and a little socializing just reopened: The SRDA provides hot meals at the community center from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Monday through Friday, according to Cindy Reyna, SRDA’s nutrition office manager. “We’re up to four diners,” she said. “Before COVID, we had 12 most days.” For those looking to buy prepared food, there are several choices. The Loaf ‘N Jug offers some hot food along with packaged food. Johnny’s Drive-In is open for lunch

Source: BestPlaces.net, 2020 U.S. Census

MARCH 18, 2022

Pics from the past

Avondale Arapahoe Trading Post For decades, the Arapahoe Trading Post was the main grocery store in Avondale. Long vacant, plans are underway to reopen. This historic photo, taken in the 1950s, hangs in the parish office at Sacred Heart Church. The above photo was taken March 2022 by Mike Sweeney.

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The annual Drive | Lead | Succeed Conferences aim to provide the knowledge, tools, and connections that are vital to foster a growing Colorado economy. effective, responsible economic development practices across the state. As the state’s premier economic development resource, EDCC represents the Colorado’s public and private sector interests. By connecting our communities, members, and partners to high-quality educational opportunities and trusted resources, we advance policy while supporting vibrant economies

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Since 1976, the Economic Development Council of Colorado (EDCC) has been promoting

and enhancing the quality of life for all Coloradans.

Economic Development Council of Colorado edcconline.org | 720.260.4478 17

MARCH 18, 2022

NONPROFIT NEWS What is a nonprofit newspaper?

“While traditional news sources rely on revenue from subscribers and advertisers, nonprofits focus more exclusively on providing a specific public service to their communities. Since they don’t chase advertising, they can steer away from stories about celebrities or trending topics and instead act as watchdogs against local corruption or purveyors of community news less frequently covered by their for-profit competitors.” Source: ShareAmerica (share.america.gov)

73% LOCAL

NEWSPAPERS

The Institute for Nonprofit News, founded in 2009, has grown to more than 360 organizations in the U.S. and Canada. Of those, 36% are focused on local news.

Trust in Newspapers:

50%

59% NATIONAL

More Americans across the political spectrum have “a great deal” or “a fair amount” of trust in their local newspapers vs. national newspapers.

NEWSPAPERS

Source: 2018 Poynter Media Trust Survey

An August 2019 report from the Duke University News Measures Research Project team concluded: “... (N)ewspapers are the most important producers of local news in terms of the volume of journalistic output being produced for local communities.” Online-only outlets are far behind matching local papers “as significant sources of reporting that is original, local, and addresses critical information needs.” Findings “support the continued importance of public policy and philanthropic efforts to support the viability of local newspapers.” Source: “Who’s Producing Local Journalism: Assessing Journalistic Output Across Different Outlet Types” - Duke University News Measures Research Project team, August 2019

PBS Colorado News Collaborative Colorado Public Radio National Public Radio Center for Public Integrity

Source: INN 2021 Local News fact sheet

100%

Other examples of nonprofit media:

Of 3,143 counties in the U.S.:

Nearly 200 have no local paper 1,449 have only one newspaper More than 2,000 have no daily paper Source: “The Expanding News Desert” University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, 2018

The residents of America’s emerging news deserts are often its most vulnerable citizens. They are generally poorer, older and less educated than the average American.

COMMUNITY ACCOUNTABILITY

CONNECTION

MARCH 18, 2022

BRINGING NONPROFIT NEWS TO OUR COMMUNITY:

Our Values: Community Accountability Curiosity Connection

CURIOSITY

The name sounds familiar … The Star-Journal Publishing Company was created in the early 20th century by a group that included Pueblo businessman John F. Vail and former Colorado Gov. Alva Adams. That organization later was purchased by famed Pueblo newspaperman Frank Hoag Sr. and renamed the Star-Journal Publishing Corp.

Hoag eventually bought the Colorado Chieftain and published both papers daily - the Chieftain in the morning, the Star-Journal in the afternoon - until 1984, when the Star-Journal ceased publication. We’re proud to resurrect the PSJ as part of a new generation of local news.

Who’s funding the Star Journal? The Star Journal will operate in much the same way as PBS, National Public Radio, The Colorado Sun and other member-supported media. Funding will

come from our readers, local advertisers, philanthropic organizations, special events and grants that support local news outlets.

ZERO DOLLARS. Do you have to give us money in order to access our content? Absolutely not. We’re here for all Puebloans.

Do we hope you’ll find our reporting worthy of your financial support? Of course - and we gratefully accept any amount you’re able to contribute. Donate online at PuebloStarJournal.org

What you will see in the Star Journal: • Original coverage of Pueblo news, sports, culture, entertainment and events • A deeper focus on the people, places and topics that make Pueblo unique • Investigative reporting

• An online Community Resources database with government contact information, meeting schedules, board and commission openings and more • Paid contributions by local journalism students

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Cost to read the PSJ print and digital editions:

What you won’t see in the Star Journal: • National news stories, unless we are covering them from a local perspective - we’re not interested in running wire stories you can find just about anyplace else

• Click bait • Political ads and endorsements - federal law prohibits nonprofit newspapers from running either of these

MARCH 18, 2022

March 20 - Sunday Sharon Orman Rodman showcase Noon.-4 p.m., Steel City Art Works, 216 S. Union Ave. Art History for Kiddos 1-2:15 p.m., Pueblo Arts Alliance, 107 S. Grand Ave. Up to age 11 (ages 5 and under with a caregiver). Free. Text 602-281-5558 to sign up. “The Library” 2 p.m., Steel City Theatre Company, 241 S. Santa Fe Ave. Info: 719-994-8298 or steelcitytheatre.org Arts & Chats with Kimberly Sewell 4-5:30 p.m., ArtHub at Pueblo Arts Alliance, 107 S. Grand Ave. $30/month or $10/session. Email kimberly@puebloarts.org. Retro-Introspective: 50 Years of the Artwork of L. Savas Razo 5-8:30 p.m., Liminal Space Gallery, 107 S. Grand Ave. Board game night 6 p.m., Chaos, Games and More, 4065 Club Manor Drive Info: chaosgamesandmore.com

March 21 - Monday

Photo by Gregory Howell

Sharon Orman Rodman showcase 10 a.m.-5 p.m., Steel City Art Works, 216 S. Union Ave.

PROJECT 43: A NUDE STUDY BY JEFFRY MOORE AT THE BLO BACK GALLERY

March 22 - Tuesday

MARCH 2022 March 18 - Friday Sharon Orman Rodman showcase 10 a.m.-5 p.m., Steel City Art Works, 216 S. Union Ave. Retro-Introspective: 50 Years of the Artwork of L. Savas Razo 5-8:30 p.m., Liminal Space Gallery, 107 S. Grand Ave.

Retro-Introspective: 50 Years of the Artwork of L. Savas Razo 5-8:30 p.m., Liminal Space Gallery, 107 S. Grand Ave.

“The Library” 7:30 p.m., Steel City Theatre Company, 241 S. Santa Fe Ave. Info: 719-994-8298 or steelcitytheatre.org

The Four Tops Motown 60th Anniversary Tour 8 p.m., Memorial Hall, 1 City Hall Place Info: pueblomemorialhall.com

March 19 - Saturday

Local author meet-and-greet Jane Milne: “Everyone Has a Story” 1-3 p.m., Books Again, 622 S. Union Ave. Info: booksagain-pueblo.com

Sharon Orman Rodman showcase 10 a.m.-5 p.m., Steel City Art Works, 216 S. Union Ave.

Retro-Introspective: 50 Years of the Artwork of L. Savas Razo 5-8:30 p.m., Liminal Space Gallery, 107 S. Grand Ave.

St. Baldrick’s head-shaving cancer fundraiser 11 a.m.-4 p.m., Pueblo West VFW, 127 E. Spaulding Ave. Info: 719-281-0173

“The Library” 7:30 p.m., Steel City Theatre Company, 241 S. Santa Fe Ave. Info: 719-994-8298 or steelcitytheatre.org

Hun Yuan Qi Gong 10 a.m., Anahata Healing Yoga Studio, 3942 Ivywood Lane $5/class Sharon Orman Rodman showcase 10 a.m.-5 p.m., Steel City Art Works, 216 S. Union Ave. Russian Ballet Theatre, “Swan Lake” 7 p.m., Memorial Hall, 1 City Hall Place, Pueblo Info: pueblomemorialhall.com Retro-Introspective: 50 Years of the Artwork of L. Savas Razo 5-8:30 p.m., Liminal Space Gallery, 107 S. Grand Ave.

Sharon Orman Rodman showcase 10 a.m.-5 p.m., Steel City Art Works, 216 S. Union Ave.

Retro-Introspective: 50 Years of the Artwork of L. Savas Razo 5-8:30 p.m., Liminal Space Gallery, 107 S. Grand Ave.

“Jersey Boys” 7 p.m., Memorial Hall, 1 City Hall Place Info: pueblomemorialhall.com

March 24 - Thursday Hun Yuan Qi Gong 10 a.m., Anahata Healing Yoga Studio, 3942 Ivywood Lane $5/class Sharon Orman Rodman showcase 10 a.m.-5 p.m., Steel City Art Works, 216 S. Union Ave. Retro-Introspective: 50 Years of the Artwork of L. Savas Razo 5-8:30 p.m., Liminal Space Gallery, 107 S. Grand Ave. Learn to play Dungeons & Dragons 6 p.m., Chaos, Games and More, 4065 Club Manor Drive Info: chaosgamesandmore.com Blue Cactus Listening Room: Open Mic 7 p.m. Thursdays, El Nopal Restaurant, 1435 E. Evans Ave. Signup starts at 6 p.m. Email 719mgmt@gmail.com.

Latino Chamber of Commerce 43rd Annual Awards Dinner and Dance Celebration 6-10 p.m., Pueblo Convention Center, 320 Central Main St. Info: pueblolatinochamber.com

March 26 - Saturday Sharon Orman Rodman showcase 10 a.m.-5 p.m., Steel City Art Works, 216 S. Union Ave. Retro-Introspective: 50 Years of the Artwork of L. Savas Razo 5-8:30 p.m., Liminal Space Gallery, 107 S. Grand Ave.

March 27 - Sunday Sharon Orman Rodman showcase Noon-4 p.m., Steel City Art Works, 216 S. Union Ave.

MARCH 18, 2022

March 25 - Friday

SUMMER 2022

Launch of Colorado Arts and Artists Associates will kick off the Rocky Mountain Creative Experience June 10-11: Mindful Awareness Festival (Film & Theater Festival) Featuring Youth Documentary Academy and The Arts Academy at Pueblo County High School. (Blo Back Gallery and Impossible Playhouse) June 13-17: Creative Empowerment Week for High School and College Students at Rocky Mountain SER 330 Lake Ave, Pueblo July 23-29: Creative Showcase Week, Kicking off new music programs at Pueblo Boys and Girls Clubs and El Pueblo History Museum. There will be a reception and concert at El Pueblo the evening of Saturday, July 23rd. at 7pm featuring RiuDolc from Spain.

Arts & Chats with Kimberly Sewell 4-5:30 p.m., ArtHub at Pueblo Arts Alliance, 107 S. Grand Ave. $30/month or $10/session. Email kimberly@puebloarts.org. Retro-Introspective: 50 Years of the Artwork of L. Savas Razo 5-8:30 p.m., Liminal Space Gallery, 107 S. Grand Ave.

RiuDolç Brass 2022 riudolc@gmail.com

Welcome to Colorado's Backlot

SUBMIT YOUR EVENTS ONLINE - FREE

The Pueblo Regional Film Commission takes great

All submissions must be a specific event with a start time and date. We do not include regular business listings. If you have a question about whether or not your listing qualifies, just ask. We’re glad to help.

secrets to the film and television industry locally,

Please do not submit the same event more than once. Check first to see if it's already posted, or ask us. If someone beat you to it and there are issues you'd like to correct, let us know. Event listings are free. We will also offer paid display advertising in print and online that may suit your events better. If you have specific needs, let us know how we can work with you. All events are screened before they appear online and in print. We reserve the right to refuse to publish any event, for any reason.

PUEBLOSTARJOURNAL.ORG/EVENTS/SUBMIT

pride in promoting one of Colorado's best kept

nationally and internationally. We strive to enhance the success of Pueblo film projects through promotion, funding and education.

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March 23 - Wednesday

Film in Pueblo Education, Training & Certification Film Infrastructure

www.pueblofilmcommission.org

Photo from Adobe Stock

MARCH 18, 2022

APRIL 2022

March 30 - Wednesday Sharon Orman Rodman showcase 10 a.m.-5 p.m., Steel City Art Works, 216 S. Union Ave. Retro-Introspective: 50 Years of the Artwork of L. Savas Razo 5-8:30 p.m., Liminal Space Gallery, 107 S. Grand Ave.

March 31 - Thursday BOARD GAME NIGHT Board game night 6 p.m., Chaos, Games and More, 4065 Club Manor Drive Info: chaosgamesandmore.com

March 28 - Monday

March 29 - Tuesday Hun Yuan Qi Gong 10 a.m., Anahata Healing Yoga Studio, 3942 Ivywood Lane $5/class

Sharon Orman Rodman showcase 10 a.m.-5 p.m., Steel City Art Works, 216 S. Union Ave.

Retro-Introspective: 50 Years of the Artwork of L. Savas Razo 5-8:30 p.m., Liminal Space Gallery, 107 S. Grand Ave.

Hun Yuan Qi Gong 10 a.m., Anahata Healing Yoga Studio, 3942 Ivywood Lane $5/class Sharon Orman Rodman showcase 10 a.m.-5 p.m., Steel City Art Works, 216 S. Union Ave. Retro-Introspective: 50 Years of the Artwork of L. Savas Razo 5-8:30 p.m., Liminal Space Gallery, 107 S. Grand Ave. Learn to play Dungeons & Dragons 6 p.m., Chaos, Games and More, 4065 Club Manor Drive

“Fun Home” 7:30 p.m., Steel City Theatre Company, 241 S. Santa Fe Ave. Info: 719-994-8298 or steelcitytheatre.org

April 2 - Saturday Zach Williams 7 p.m., Memorial Hall, 1 City Hall Place Info: pueblomemorialhall.com “Fun Home” 7:30 p.m., Steel City Theatre Company, 241 S. Santa Fe Ave. Info: 719-994-8298 or steelcitytheatre.org

April 3 - Sunday Art History for Kiddos 1-2:15 p.m., Pueblo Arts Alliance, 107 S. Grand Ave. Up to age 11 (ages 5 and under with a caregiver). Free. Text 602-281-5558 to sign up.

POP-UP SE R I E S

April 1 - Friday

P R E S E N T E D BY

JOIN US as we reveal the restauranteurs running each of the kitchens at the Fuel & Iron Food Hall. The identities of the chefs and their concepts will be revealed at the event, so attend to get the first look at the exciting new restaurant concepts coming to Pueblo!

#1 #2 #3 #4 #5

FEB. 15 MARCH 15 MAY 17 JUNE 21 JULY 19

BINGO BURGER 101 CENTRAL PLAZA PUEBLO, CO

Board game night 6 p.m., Chaos, Games and More, 4065 Club Manor Drive Info: chaosgamesandmore.com

April 5 - Tuesday Hun Yuan Qi Gong 10 a.m., Anahata Healing Yoga Studio, 3942 Ivywood Lane $5/class

April 7 - Thursday Hun Yuan Qi Gong 10 a.m., Anahata Healing Yoga Studio, 3942 Ivywood Lane $5/class

PUEBLOSTARJOURNAL.ORG/EVENTS/SUBMIT

Learn to play Dungeons & Dragons 6 p.m., Chaos, Games and More, 4065 Club Manor Drive

April 8 - Friday CSU Pueblo Spring Symposium 9 a.m.-3 p.m., CSU Pueblo Occhiato Student Center, 2200 Bonforte Blvd. A Celebration of Research, Scholarship and Creative Activity Info: csupueblo.edu/calendar/2022 /04/08-spring-symposium.html Pueblo Home Show 10 a.m.-5 p.m., Pueblo Convention Center, 320 Central Main St. Free admission and parking “Fun Home” 7:30 p.m., Steel City Theatre Company, 241 S. Santa Fe Ave. Info: 719-994-8298 or steelcitytheatre.org

April 9 - Saturday Pueblo Home Show 10 a.m.-5 p.m., Pueblo Convention Center, 320 Central Main St. Free admission and parking Pueblo Holistic Fair 10 a.m.-6 p.m., Pueblo Convention Center, 320 Central Main St. $5 daily admission, $18 weekend special, 12 and under free Info: PuebloHolisticFair.com “Fun Home” 7:30 p.m., Steel City Theatre Company, 241 S. Santa Fe Ave. Info: 719-994-8298 or steelcitytheatre.org

April 10 - Sunday Pueblo Home Show 10 a.m.-5 p.m., Pueblo Convention Center, 320 Central Main St. Free admission and parking Pueblo Holistic Fair 10 a.m.-5 p.m., Pueblo Convention Center, 320 Central Main St. $5 daily admission, $18 weekend special, 12 and under free Info: PuebloHolisticFair.com

“Fun Home” 2 p.m., Steel City Theatre Company, 241 S. Santa Fe Ave. Info: 719-994-8298 or steelcitytheatre.org Arts & Chats with Kimberly Sewell 4-5:30 p.m., ArtHub at Pueblo Arts Alliance, 107 S. Grand Ave. $30/month or $10/session. Email kimberly@puebloarts.org.

MARCH 18, 2022

Arts & Chats with Kimberly Sewell 4-5:30 p.m., ArtHub at Pueblo Arts Alliance, 107 S. Grand Ave. $30/month or $10/session. Email kimberly@puebloarts.org.

Southern Colorado Press Club Sheepdip awards banquet 6:30 p.m. (5:30 p.m. cocktails), Olde Towne Carriage House, 102 S. Victoria Ave. Information/RSVP: socopressclub.org

Board game night 6 p.m., Chaos, Games and More, 4065 Club Manor Drive Info: chaosgamesandmore.com

April 12 - Tuesday Hun Yuan Qi Gong 10 a.m., Anahata Healing Yoga Studio, 3942 Ivywood Lane $5/class

April 14 - Thursday Legacy Bank Business Awards Luncheon 11:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m., Pueblo Union Depot, 132 W. B St. $30/person; tables available. Email terrik@pueblochamber.net.

| PUEBLOSTARJOURNAL.ORG

“Fun Home” 2 p.m., Steel City Theatre Company, 241 S. Santa Fe Ave. Info: 719-994-8298 or steelcitytheatre.org

MEAGAN IT RAIN Good people ﬁnish ﬁrst. We believe that a successful business is the result of having great relationships. We love what we do and we take pride in providing a great experience for all of our clients.

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