Pueblo Star Journal - February 2023

‘Built from scratch’

Colorado State University Pueblo coach reflects on his 15-year legacy on the gridiron

By Ben Cason

On Dec. 13, Colorado State University

Pueblo’s longtime head coach John Wristen announced his retirement from coaching in front of a room of players, coaches, alumni, friends and family. Coach Wristen tried to hold back tears as the crowd gave him a roaring standing ovation.

The moment represented an interesting book-end to a press conference held July 3, 2007, announcing John Wristen as the first head coach of the newly restarted CSU Pueblo football program. The university had not offered football since 1984. They tasked Wristen, an alumnus, with the job of returning NCAA football to Pueblo.

“In education and coaching you never get a chance to start something from scratch,” Wristen said. “I remember looking myself in the mirror and saying ‘hey big boy, you only have one guy to blame and it’s the guy looking back at you.’”

Wristen had been coaching at UCLA under Karl Dorrell at the time. Wristen said, “I wanted to try to be a head coach, and what better way to do that than to be in Pueblo, Colorado, and do it at CSU Pueblo. I really hoped I would get a chance to interview and be a part of something special.”

He quit his job with the Bruins and was selected among over 100 applicants. The Thunderwolves were truly re-launching at the time.

“I remember we had no footballs, I really didn’t have an office on campus, no field and no helmets,” Wristen said.

“When I started, my mindset was that this is going to be my last job, and hopefully it is my last job.”

For the first year on the job, CSU Pueblo was setting its foundation. In 2007, ground was broken on the Thunderbowl, CSU Pueblo’s 6,500-seat home stadium. It was completed and ready for the first home game of the inaugural 2008 football season. As the stadium went up, Wristen went to work hiring coaches and bringing in players to build the program.

“We sold them on the opportunity,” Wristen said. “We told them if they wanted to stay and compete at a high level that we were going to go win a national championship. And that was before we even had a stadium.”

On September 6, 2008, the Pack hosted their first game against Oklahoma Panhandle State University. The Thunderwolves had joined Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference football and packed out the Thunderbowl. The Thunderbowl was sold out for the first game. CSU Pueblo was able to pull out a 24-13 win to open up Wristen’s tenure.

“Our kids played hard and gave it everything they could,” Wristen said. “We found a way to win that first game. I thought that was one of the most impressive wins we ever had.”

When talking about that first win, Wristen said, “It was really neat to give everyone a picture of what Pack football was going to be.”

Over the next few years, the Thunder-

WRISTEN continued on page 4

CSU Pueblo’s Head football coach, John Wristen, announced his retirement in December. Photo by Jeffry Moore.

Photo by Jeffry Moore

‘Let’s Talk’ about teen suicide

GUEST COLUMN

It is funny how we grumble that Pueblo is all talk and no action. Ironically, we currently find ourselves in a desperate need for a lot more “talk” to happen — specifically in our schools— around mental health and teen suicide prevention. The prevailing fear typically aligns with the notion that if you talk about birth control, it encourages sex or if you talk about suicide that it might encourage ideation. Not true. According to “Teen Line,” a program of Didi Hirch Mental Health Services, “Talking about suicide does not put an idea in their head, but instead, is usually a relief to them. It lets the person know you are open to talk about suicide and allows them to be open about it. Using the word ‘suicide’ establishes that you are talking about the same thing.”

Five years ago, when I created The Arts Acade my at Pueblo County High School, it was vital to study all genres of theatre, including theatre for social change. Theatre explores the human condition and, for youth, the work must tell their truths for the stories to be authentic. Being distressed by so many school shootings and upon the realization that this phenomenon is really about suicide (via death by police), we chose to tell that story.

Teen suicide and how to provide truth and safe messaging.

“NO ONE HEARS UNLESS YOU SCREAM,”

a play about teen suicide prevention, written by kids, for kids, in authentic voice. It was our first play for social change and after five years of ongoing and present-day productions, has been seen by thousands of teens and adult audiences. This 40-minute play covers the challenges of bullying, date rape, sexual orientation identity, body dysmorphia, drugs, poverty and parental pressure. The play began through “talk” about suicide, has been written through “talk” and after each production the audience, cast and mental health professionals in the audience, literally engage in what we call a “talkback,” making it safe to tell and removing the stigma of shame. Produced by Pignanelli Partners and Colorado Arts and Artists, “SCREAM” continues to foster an environment of safe messaging and mental health awareness in productions throughout the state. According to Mental Health America, Colorado ranks as the 51st worst state in the nation for access to mental health treatment. Clearly, there isn’t much “talk” going on if we can’t even provide treatment for those that are seeking assistance. If we don’t “talk” we don’t find the answers. And thoughts and prayers, after the fact, simply isn’t

enough. Pro-active, safe messaging begins with the conversations—the hard conversations—that must occur for teens to feel safe and supported if they are struggling with mental health and suicidal ideation. Recently, in Pueblo County we have seen the loss of several teens to death by suicide. The grief and struggle is unimaginable for families, kids and community. Have we provided enough for our youth? Are we allowing them to “talk” about mental health awareness and grant them the relief of knowing that they are not alone and should never feel ashamed? By raising awareness, we are reducing the stigma around suicide and encouraging well informed actions. Schools, churches, community centers and youth program leaders can be the essential link in helping to orchestrate these talks. Trainings are available and contacting Health Solutions, Mental Health America and the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) are a few places to begin. So, I ask you…are you ready to talk?

Roxanne Pignanelli is a consultant at Pignanelli Partners and is the producer of “NO ONE HEARS YOU UNLESS YOU SCREAM.”Bookings for the play can be made by phone at 719-778-1848. IF

Board of Directors: Gregory Howell, Kennedy Pugh, Chantal Woodyard, Leslie Nazario

Advisory Board: Nicki Hart, Susan Wolf, Caroline Trani, Jayson Peters

News content, sports & podcast manager: Ben Cason Arts & News editor: Rory Harbert

Contributors: Patsy Kate Booth, Beth Bricker Davis, Kristin Skye Hoffman, Rachel Kutskill, Hailee Langowski, Kyle Laws, Justin Morenz, Roxy Pignanelli, Brandon Samora, Karen Wallace, Danielle Whitaker

Special thanks to: Positive Content, Blo Back Gallery, David C. Russell, The Dig, EDCC, El Pueblo History Museum, Fuel & Iron, Goodnight Barn, Johnny’s Boiler Shop, Legacy Bank, Machinations Entertainment, MMK Real Estates, Pueblo Chieftain Printing, Pueblo City-County Library District, Pueblo Department of Health & Environment, Pueblo Electronics, Pueblo Food Guide, RE/Max of Pueblo, Summer Solstice Festival, Tuxedo Ranch, Watertower Place, Amy Matthew, Ryan McWilliams, Anthony Perko & Doug Reeder

Rational Media Ltd. dba The Pueblo Star Journal is fiscally sponsored by Positive Content. As a fiscal sponsor, Positive Content acts as an umbrella organization for our missionfocused 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.

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303 S. Santa Fe Ave., Pueblo CO 81003

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Illustration by Justin Morenz, Special to The Pueblo Star Journal

Roxy Pignanelli

how a play on the hard conversations can save lives

wolves identity and Wristen’s coaching style began to emerge.

“Your attitude and work ethic are the two things you have control over,” Wristen said. “I kept emphasizing it and our kids bought into it.”

In 2008, the Thunderwolves went 4-6. The next year, they improved to 7-4, including winning their last four games. A key game that year was a visit to Chadron State University. The Eagles were the reigning conference champions, and had not lost an RMAC game since 2005. The Thunderwolves stunned them 28-17 in their building.

“Probably, our first big victory was against Chadron State,” Wristen said. “I remember in my first press conference in 2007… I remember saying we’re going after Chadron. They were the big boys on the block. We went up there and beat them.”

Following a strong 2009, the Pack took another step forward in 2010, finishing 9-2. They were on the cusp of a conference crown and playoff appearance.

One more win in 2010 would have put them over the edge, but CSU Pueblo lost 19-16 at Colorado Mines. The game was tight from the opening whistle, and ended up coming down to an offsides penalty against the Pack.

Wristen said, “I remember our kids feeling that

hurt, us feeling that hurt. Being able to establish what that hurt felt like and how you’ve got to pay attention to the discipline of the details to be great, helped us moving forward.”

As 2011 came around, CSU Pueblo emerged as a truly great team. They went 11-0 in the regular season, clinching the playoffs for the first time since the program restart. They also won the RMAC Championship. The Thunderbowl hosted its first of many playoff games that winter.

From 2011 to 2013, the Pack went a staggering 33-0 in the regular season, earning an RMAC title each season. However, they went a combined 1-3 in the postseason between those teams.

“Complacency means entitlement,” Wristen said. “I try to stress from day one in our offseason that you’re not entitled to anything, you’re not entitled to any growth.”

On a routine trip to Fort Lewis in October 2014, the Thunderwolves were upset by the Skyhawks 2322. This was the first regular season loss for CSU Pueblo in four years. However, the loss seemed to refocus the team for the stretch run. The Pack won out

from there entering the playoffs 10-1 and won their fourth consecutive RMAC title. That team was marked by terrific veteran leadership, smart offense and a dynamic defense.

“2014 really had to have a lot of things happen,” Wristen said. “When you win a national championship you have to have a lot of luck. On our 2014 team, our schedule was right and our playoff matchups were right.”

Entering the 16-team playoff, CSU Pueblo’s first test was against Angelo State at home. The Pack passed that test with flying colors, with a 52-14 win. The Thunderwolves offense, defense and special teams contributed to the scoring.

The Thunderwolves then played host to Ohio Dominican. The game was a nail biter from the very beginning. With the Pack leading 24-21 with 10:52 left in the fourth quarter, Daniel Wise returned a punt for a touchdown providing the Thunderwolves just enough insurance to hold on to a 31-28 win.

Following that victory, West Georgia visited the

CSU-Pueblo’s Head football coach, John Wristen, announced his retirement in December. Photo by Jeffry Moore.

“Your attitude and work ethic are the two things you have control over.”

– John Wristen

Photo by Jeffry Moore

Thunderbowl for a heavyweight semifinal game. Freshman Zach Boyd’s touchdown on a trick play with 9:47 to play proved to be the difference as the Thunderwolves won 10-7.

“That was a special game here in Pueblo, Colorado,” Wristen said. “That was a flat-out war with kids just laying it all out on the line and going to work. It was fun to see.”

The victory over the Wolves set the stage for the most important game in Thunderwolf history: a national championship game against Minnesota State-Mankato. Though, Coach Wristen was confident entering the game in Kansas City.

“I had played that scenario in my mind 10,000 times,” he said. “I knew we were going to go win that National Championship Game no matter who we played. We just needed to get there, that was the key.”

“I didn’t want to trip leading the team out for that championship game,” Wristen said.

Instead of stressing about the details, Wristen had a different focus, “I didn’t want to screw that game up for our kids. I wanted to enjoy it. I wanted our kids to enjoy it. I tried to stress all week, take a moment to enjoy it because it will be a special moment for all of us.”

The Thunderwolf defense overwhelmed the Mavericks offense, who had scored 42.9 points per game entering the final game. Quarterback Chris Bonner found receiver Paul Browning for a touchdown to give CSU Pueblo a 10-0 halftime cushion. The Pack ran the ball and continued their dominant defense in the second half. Eventually Bonner took a knee, clinching a Thunderwolf win and the program’s first National Championship.

The Thunderwolves mobbed Coach Wristen and celebrated on the field. The players made snow angels in the confetti.

“I wanted to stand back, watch them, and enjoy it,” Wristen said. “ I wanted to let them take it all in. The smile on those kids’ faces was special.”

Just seven seasons after taking over the program from scratch, John Wristen’s Pack were champions. Following the magical run to the national title, Wristen was named 2014’s American Football Coaches Association Division II Coach of the Year.

The Thunderwolves continued their winning ways over the next five seasons, going 51-12, winning three more RMAC championships and making the playoffs three times. With a 106-17 (.862) record from 20102019, the CSU Pueblo football team was the second winningest NCAA Division II program of the decade.

“We had a damn good team with damn good coaches,” he said.

The world was plunged into the coronavirus pandemic in 2020, and the Thunderwolves took the year off of football. This was a new challenge for Wristen. He spoke about the struggle of the year off.

“It really led to me making this kind of decision,”

he said. “Covid had a lot to do with reflection, and whether I could do the job the way it needed to be done to carry on the tradition.”

The Thunderwolves got back on their feet after the pandemic with a 12-9 record over the 2021-2022 seasons. The Pack made the playoffs last year, but were beaten in the first round by the eventual champion, Colorado Mines.

John Wristen announced he would step away from coaching with an incredible resume. He finished with a 123-32 record, seven RMAC Championships, seven playoff appearances and six RMAC Coach of the Year awards. Most notably, he led the Thunderwolves to their first NCAA Division II Championship title in 2014.

“The way we spell fun around here is W-I-N,” Wristen said.

Despite the staggering on-field numbers, Wristen spoke more of his players.

“When the official announcement of my retirement from coaching came, I think I had 245 texts and over 20 phone calls from mostly former players,” Wristen said. “That was great, it was really cool and really h umbling. All of it was ‘thank you.’ I get emotional on that because that’s what stirs the soul. They felt enough to validate me and say thank you. It meant a lot.”

The players Wristen brought in really made the difference, “We were able to find enough really good players who would check their egos at the door and would out-hustle and out-hit and make sure they have some fun doing it. I think we found a bunch of blue collar kids who wanted to do that.”

“I think we made Saturday afternoons in the fall an event,” Wristen said. Pueblo has been a major part of Wristen’s journey, “I’ve been entrenched in Pueblo, Colorado. I love the people of Pueblo and I value what it stands for. I’m lucky to be a citizen here in this city and I’m going to continue to represent that.”

After leading the football program at CSU Pueblo for 15 seasons, Wristen will now serve as the Athletics Development and External Relations Officer within the Athletic Department.

“I’m going to continue to develop relationships and help our university grow,” Wristen

said. “I appreciate the university making this happen for me.”

Wristen had a role in the Thunderwolves choosing their next head coach, Phillip Vigil. Wristen sat on Vigil’s right as he conducted his first press conference just as Wristen did 16 years ago.

“I know Coach Vigil and his staff are going to take on the shield and make it shinier and carry it on better than it has ever been before,” Wristen said.

“All of it was ‘thank you.’ I get emotional on that because that’s what stirs the soul. They felt enough to validate me and say thank you. It meant a lot.”

– John Wristen

THRIVE! with Rachel

By Rachel Kutskill

Our town has an authentic history of resilience, work ethic, community, pride and heart.

Pueblo is so unique and culturally diverse, it is easy to see why so many of us, native and transplanted, instinctually adopted its true meaning: home.

Pueblo’s veins have connected communities, ethnicities, food, recreation, state events, music and native culture for many generations. We know this town is a layered network with each part relying on others to succeed and prosper. Not one system works independently from another; when one needs support, many arise to help. Pueblo upholds standards created uniquely for itself, and by those standards, it is prospering. It is healthy. It is constantly making forward progress.

Pueblo is strong.

As with any interconnected system of wellness, internal and external forces try to harm the whole system. But when the core foundation is strong, the system thrives.

In the last 100 years, our approach to wellness has evolved, changed, stepped forwards and backwards, made lateral shifts, recalled numerous ideas and products and ultimately, has not produced a common example of what health and happiness should look and feel like.

On the contrary, we are all too familiar with disease; dis-ease, of our town and in our own body’s systems. We have endured setbacks/floods, inflammation/crime, chronic illness/political demise, digestive issues/inefficient infrastructure, extreme fatigue/hopelessness, mental imbalances/homelessness. And yet, our accepted approaches are oftentimes, a band-aid.

We are corralled into a tunnel vision approach, treating one symptom at a time, instead of looking at the whole picture. Understanding these systems

Taking care of Pueblo in mind, body and soul: PSJ Happiness Index

do not work independently from each other, but rather as complex layers, intertwined, affecting and effecting every part of our whole selves and of our whole town.

It is time that we step into a journey of health that isn’t profound or new, that isn’t found in a smart app or on television, isn’t conveyed in one policy or person and most certainly cannot be found in a— ketogenic; gluten free; fat free; no grain; all grain; high fat; low cholesterol; no salt; no nut; only nut; egg white; no bread; all carb; no carb; no fruit— diet, power shake or pill. If any of these single approaches worked in isolation—as they are marketed and taught— we wouldn’t need to be responsible for keeping our foundation strong. We could put a bandage on it, and call it good. But healthy systems require maintenance and happiness isn’t found in a jar.

That’s where we come in.

THRIVE is a collaborative and interactive piece of Pueblo, one with a strong foundation for quality of life. We bring you ideas, outings, nourishment, replenishment, adventures, tools, movement and many parts of a thriving system that isn’t new and improved, but addresses our instinctual desires for wellness and happiness.

The Pueblo Star Journal (PSJ) Happiness Index will rate our suggestions in terms of:

Social support- Does this help connect us as a community and is it inclusive?

Healthy life expectancy- Does this potentially prolong life to a high standard of living and without harm or risk?

Freedoms making life choices - Is this free from imposition on others or ourselves?

Generosity - How cost effective is this for others and ourselves?

We will provide the community with ways to increase quality of life, our overall health and happiness index. It’s time to have fun with life, to truly live life, to thrive.

As our inaugural piece, we want to focus on something simple yet powerful and necessary for life: the sun. Pueblo receives 258 days of sunshine each year, a true gift of vitality. Let’s embrace all that comes from this life sustaining ball of nuclear energy in our sky.

Take the time to feel what the sun offers, be present and in the moment. Make sure you are without distractions for this pause. Invite your family and friends to be with you. Do it sporadically during the day. Repeat often.

PSJ Happiness Index: 3.75/4

• Social Support - 4/4 anyone is able to participate, anywhere in the world.

• Health - ¾ while the sun provides life sustaining energy, too much UVA/B exposure can be damaging to skin health. According to the National Library of Medicine, there are six listed skin types and exposure time can positively

Sure Lock Locksmith

Rachel Kutskill enjoys the natural beauty of the Grand Canyon.

Photo by Rachel Kutskill

increase the darker our skin is. For example: Type I, the lightest color of skin, should limit unprotected exposure to 5-10 minutes while Type V and VI skin can be exposed for 60 minutes or longer.

• Freedom - 4/4 there does not seem to be any instance where we would not be allowed to partake in this practice.

• Generosity - 4/4 FREE for everyone if you just go outside and do it. Let us know what you would like to see in the THRIVE column or if you have any questions on any of the information we have provided. Please write

to thrive@pueblostarjournal.org or call 719-283-3361.

References:

How much sun is too much? (Updated 2018). National Library of Medicine.

Retrieved from https://www.ncbi.nlm. nih.gov/books/NBK321117/

THRIVE TIP:

STAND UNDER THE SUN, CLOSE YOUR EYES, TILT YOUR HEAD UPWARDS, TAKE A FEW DEEP BREATHS AND FEEL THE WARMTH ON YOUR SKIN.

Rachel Kutskill enjoys the natural beauty of the Grand Canyon.

Photo by Rachel Kutskill

Start of something new

By Kristin Skye Hoffman

Theatre, by nature, is a collaborative art form. Each play creates a new, small family. This small family is made up of the cast, designers, crew and director for just one production. That family extends to the group producing the show, meaning the company made up of producers, board members, the folks who run the box office and sell concessions, and ushers. This intricate family grows larger within the local communities of theatre groups within a given city or town.

Sometimes, though, families forget how much they need everyone to make a family strong. It is for this reason that I reached out to The Pueblo Star Journal to build a team of fellow community members involved in local theatre in Pueblo, the town where my love for the performing arts took root.

I’m Kristin. I spent most of my formative years in Pueblo and, while I have always loved it here, there was always something in me telling me I’d have to go elsewhere to have the sort of professional artistic experience I was after.

My next step as a young adult was to leave my hometown as a proud graduate of Pueblo Central

High School to pursue my love of the arts. It was at Central that I performed in many melodramas and homemade musicals, participated in the interpretation events on the Speech & Debate team, which had more to do with dramatic performance and acting than debate or arguing a point, and became the drama club president.

From my elementary school days through high school, I had taken countless classes at the Sangre De Cristo Arts Center, where I was also happy to perform in multiple District 60 summer musicals, like “Joseph & the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat” and “Oklahoma!”

When I decided I was bound for New York City, I told my mother my plan and she said, “I know you’re going to New York; You’ve been ‘going to New York’ since you were 5-yearsold.”

It was there that I started my immersive education in the arts. I co-founded a not-forprofit theatre company with colleagues from college in Greeley who also made the trek to New York.

I eventually earned a Masters in Fine Arts in theatre direction at The New School, a private university based in Manhattan. My true education came from providing feedback to my peers in the field as part of a New York online theatre review team.

Martin Denton founded the NYTheatre.com publication, a company which hosted a team of independent theatre artists who would see and critique plays being produced around the city. This group was called “the reviewer squad.” Denton created this group to boost the independent theatre makers in the city.

Up-and-comers were often overshadowed by the bright lights, enormous

PSJ launching new performing arts peer-review squad

budgets and celebrity casts of Broadway. Some folks do not realize how much fantastic (and truly awful) theatre is being done in New York City every night of the week. A plethora of our most well-loved and respected theatre artists worked in those small, run down, 25-seat theaters in the East Village. These are the people with no budget, who had to learn to fundraise, design the technical aspects and rehearse for hours. This was typically after their 8-hour work day as a server, bartender, or temp has ended. These were passionate folks who dreamt of something big for their artistic careers.

I was one of those dreamers, and Denton happened to see my work quite a bit in a single week in the fall of 2007. He came to see a production of “Much Ado About Nothing” that I had directed, and then soon after attended a performance of an original one-act play I had also directed and performed in at the same time. I was invited to be a part of the reviewers squad shortly after. His vision was to see all the positives in people’s work. He gathered theatre-makers who he believed to be active participants in the community and taught them how to review what their peers were producing at no cost to them. I’ve seen literally hundreds of plays in my life, which I attribute to having had the opportunity to be a reviewer on Denton’s reviewer squad.

When the pandemic brought me back to my hometown of Pueblo I was elated to see how much theatre was being done here! Pueblo offers many opportunities to participate in, and see, theatre: with three major groups that are active, the high school clubs from District 60 and 70, the summer musical, and the touring shows that the Broadway League brings to Memorial Hall. In the fall of 2022 I was invited to participate with one group as a director which was a genuine thrill.

The longer I was back, the more I noticed that while there was lots of work being done, but it was almost impossible to find out about it. I asked myself: Where were the listings? Where were the reviews? Why could I not pick up a paper and see what was playing that week or month? The distance between each of the theatre groups became apparent to me, which was a concerning observation. Why weren’t they all helping one another?

Almost instantly I realized that what the Pueblo performing arts community needed is a reviewers squad to help us come together and support one another, and The Pueblo Star Journal wants to do just

Kristin Skye Hoffman

“There are so many wonderfully creative folks in Pueblo and we want to do our part to support them.”

– Hoffman

that.

In short, the Pueblo Star Journal is putting together a performing arts reviewing squad. This group will represent each theatre company based in Pueblo, as well as each of the high schools and the wider community.

The idea is to be constructive, supportive and honest, while boosting awareness for potential audience members. Additionally, this is an effort to create an archive of journalistic publications for every local production with a goal of supporting aspiring artists in their pursuit of higher education, grant applications and creating a historical record of these productions.

There are so many wonderfully creative folks in Pueblo and we want to do our part to support them. The idea is to give endeavoring professional actors, directors and designers something to point to in their applications for further education or grant money. A published article they can cite from the paper and share digitally to get the word out can provide concrete evidence of work and lend credence to the im-

portance of art.

My hope is that the squad will grow, and gain interest from people who want to be a part of the local theatre community.

Eventually, I’d love it to expand the review team to include reviews of live music performances from local musicians, fine arts openings around the many wonderful galleries in town and other art communities who could benefit from this effort.

Theatre is, by nature, a collaborative art form. So let’s collaborate!

DID YOU KNOW?

*Ever wonder why sometimes we spell it “theatre” and sometimes we spell it “theater?”

Here’s how you tell the difference:

Theatre = The art form. An actor, director, playwright, or designer might say, “I’m a theatre artist.” which means, they work in the field of theatre.

Theater = The place where you see that work performed. An audience mem-

Fashion is a family affair

By Rory Harbert

Astylish four-year-old dances as a DJ, his face covered in silver bling, creates an energetic atmosphere with bumping music and flashing lights. People, dressed for the occasion, start to take seats and line up against the wall. Then even more arrived. Patio chairs, benches and stools—the neatly arranged folding chairs were not enough for the large crowd eagerly streaming in, moments before the start of the event to see the dazzling display of garments put together by local designers and stylists.

Blo Back Gallery and Southern Colorado Fashion, a local fashion collective, hosted the stylish event on Jan. 21. This was Southern Colorado Fashion’s first event of this kind.

DJ Deuce, wearing a striking custom silver mask made by Ray, introduced the designers and their models as well as the dancing group, who set the scene. SouthPaq dance crew, worked the circuit, giving the audience a front-and-center look at the intricate choreography from each member.

The fashion showcase included an array of collections: Customs by Ray (Ray Tiscareno) with handmade mixed-media pieces; Kween Kreations (Kei Kreator) specializing in tie-dyed apparel; Pueblo Drip (Jai Von Westphalen) with sustainable, vintage fashion; and Love Gives Art (Ginna Alejandra Pollock) sharing her “#wearableart.”

Ray’s manager is his wife, Schakara Tiscareno, who is the CEO, founder, director and producer behind Southern Colorado Fashion. Schakara has been in the fashion industry for a decade, having even walked the runway for the Fall New York Fashion Week in 2017. The two have a son together named Muki. Ray and Muki walked the catwalk, hand-in-hand, during the curtain call, where the designers got their due and were applauded for their work.

Schakara explains that the two did not meet because of fashion, but that Schakara’s experiences in fashion piqued Ray’s interest in starting his own line.

“It’s interesting, I started in fashion,” she said. “But he really didn’t have any idea of it. So, he really was just my biggest support coming into my events. Then after we had our son, he just wanted a stress reliever… So, we’ve kind of gone full circle. It was never something that he had done with intention. It just naturally fostered and happened from a hobby.”

Ray Tiscareno’s creations begin with inspiration from other fashion enthusiasts and then he builds off it, asking himself, “whoa, I like that, but what if….” With this vision in mind, his goal is to keep his custom pieces accessible.

“My collection is really based on bringing quality

Southern Colorado Fashion creates art and community

that exposure to Pueblo, so they can be able to express what they want. “

The event not only showcased Southern Colorado fashion but turned the spotlight to a team of diverse and dedicated models. The 15 models that kept the crowd entranced were: Angelo Rodriguez, Addison Doub, Caitlyn Resch, Sai Hudspeth, Luke Woods III, Courtney Lehrer, Devonta Woods, Larissa Chavez, Ryan Alishio, Devlin Schumacher, Zacharia Nicola, Nekia Seaberry, Forest Archuleta-Soto, Katrina Driggers and Morgan Cox.

Jai Von Westphalen is the stylist behind Pueblo Drip, a LGBTQ+ and latin-owned thrift shop located 416 N. Santa Fe Ave. They collected vintage pieces and styled all of the outfits for their models. Around 20 pieces appeared in the show, all sourced from their secondhand shop. Westphalen said that sustainability is important, which is a motivating factor in how they see fashion.

“I think it is a good time to normalize wearing something that has been used, breathe new life into it and making it in your own,” Westphalen said.

of clothing with a reasonable price,” Tiscareno said. “I didn’t come from a background of money, so I felt lucky whenever I had a new piece of clothing.”

Ray finds the process of making custom clothing “stress-relieving,” but only if it’s a challenge.

“If I feel like making a piece is too easy, it’s not the piece I want to make,” Ray said. “I want to make a piece that I am going to mess up once or twice on, learn from it and come back to be able to make it quality.”

Joking about Ray and Schakara being called a power couple in the local fashion scene, Schakara replied, “I can appreciate it. With any relationship you want to lean on each other’s strengths, try to foster [them] without judgment, and providing grace with our weaknesses. That’s a great way for us to collab and come together.”

Southern Colorado Fashion was built to bridge the gap between talent and access, an access to a platform, resources and community.

“We have the resources, we have the talent, we have everything we need here in Southern Colorado,” Schakara said. “There just hasn’t been a platform.”

Ray, who works as a forklift operator in a warehouse in addition to making apparel, sympathizes with artists who need to make a profit or at least cover travel costs when showing their fashion.

“I feel like there is some artists that are just holding in their talent because they don’t have the means to make it down to Denver or somewhere where they can get exposed,’ Ray said. “Our mission is to bring

Westphalen explained that using older garments is not a problem for creating unique styles.

“It is actually easier, knowing that you can clash older style eras and mix-and-match with modern and make it your own,” they said.

Nekia Seaberry, friends with Westphalen, says whenever her friends need someone to “walk around and be ostentatious in public,” she is the first one they call. Seaberry moved from New York in 2014.

“You get to see a lot of different outfits and style, coming from a big city,” Seaberry said. “So, I think I brought that big city mentality to Pueblo.”

Seaberry said she is excited to participate in the next showcase in April.

“The other models are so sweet,” Seaberry said. “There’s a family energy where you take care of each other… I love that sort of community you get to build in events like this.”

Customs by Ray can be found at Independent Records on 420 W. Fourth Street. Kween Kreations will be showing “Everything You Can Dream in BLACK’’ with Unique Week of Fashion on Feb. 10 at the Mirius Gallery at 1144 Broadway in Denver. Pollock hosts a community-based project called Pueblo Gives Art, which is hosting the “Love Me, Love Me Not” vendor market at 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Feb. 11 and 12 at Renewed Wholesale, located at 720 S. Main Street. Westphalen’s Pueblo Drip will also be there. Pollock’s work can be found at The Sacred Bean and Eclectic Company.

Ray Tiscareno and his son, Muki, walk the catwalk circuit for a final round of applause for the designers in the show. Photo by Rory Harbert.

Photo by Rory Harbert

STRIKE A POSE!

Blo Back Gallery hosted Southern Colorado Fashion’s first showcase. Four designers sent their wearable art down the catwalk on 15 talented models.

Photos by Gregory Howell

First Friday Art Walk

Kenny Schneider // Blo Back Gallery

Jennifer De Groot // Blo Back Gallery

Jeffry Moore // Blo Back Gallery

ART WALK SCHEDULE

First Friday Art Walk

4-6 p.m. Sangre de Cristos Arts and Conference Center, 210 N. Union Ave.

4-7 p.m. El Pueblo History Museum, 302 N. Union Ave.

5-7 p.m. Liminal Space Gallery, 107 S. Grand Ave.

ART EVENTS

Feb 19 - Sunday

Tuscany at St. Joseph’s

3-7 p.m., St. Joseph’s Parish, 1124 Aspen Road

Info: All local artists invited to this wine tasting & art festival. 719-240-6006

RECURRING EVENTS

Arts & Chats with Kimberly Sewell

4 p.m. Sundays, at the ArtHub at Pueblo Arts Alliance, 107 S. Grand Ave. Info: kimberly@puebloarts.org

Art History for Kiddos

1 p.m. every other Sunday, Pueblo Arts Alliance, 107 S. Grand Ave. Info: 602-281-5558

PERFORMING ARTS

Legally Blonde: The Musical”

7 p.m., Memorial Hall, 1 City Hall Place Info: $42-$90, pueblomemorialhall.com

Broadway Theatre League: “Anatasia”

7 p.m., Memorial Hall, 1 City Hall Place Info: $62-$90, pueblomemorialhall.com

Benise - Fiesta!

7 p.m., Memorial Hall, 1 City Place Info: pueblomemorialhall.com

MUSIC ARTS

Line Dancing

EZ 4 p.m., Country/Classic 6-7 p.m. Wednesdays, Eagleridge Event Center, 805 Eagleridge Blvd., Suite 170 Info: facebook.com/PuebloDanceCompany

Cocktail Hour with Live Music

7-9 p.m., Analogue Bar, 222 N. Main St. Info: facebook.com/AnalogueSolar

Open Mic at Blue Cactus

6-9 p.m. Thursdays, El Nopal’s Blue Cactus Room, 1435 E. Evans Ave. Info: 719-564-9784

Karaoke Night at The Fallout with KJ Mikey D.

9-11 p.m. Fridays, 1227 S. Prairie Ave. Info: facebook.com/PuebloFallout

Poet Corner

Change of Heart

The sun on the snow this cold January morning initiated a rebirth of sorts, finally light after days of clouds, finally thaw after hours of freeze, finally a change of heart after years of clinging to old hopes that lay frozen in time.

By Beth Bricker Davis

A Shift... The Pale Wolf

The pale wolf is silent she watches and she waits

When Spirit begins to move she quickens her hefty gait

She’s breathing and feeling and open to change

Holding space for new energy and broadening her range

With eyes and ears on full alert

Her nose to the wind her feet kick up dirt

She races forward her intent is clear

Whatever she’s after she shows no fear

Across the meadow and up the hillside

As she runs she lets go of fear and pride

As I watch, not to distant my heart filled with glee

Am I watching this wolf? Or is she, One with me...

By Karen Wallace

Food Truck Friday

Seven hours at Mineral Palace Park generators humming beneath the sun people at small tables scattered with reincarnations of the Pueblo Star Journal held down in a breeze with stones of jasper

as cups of coffee are blended and homemade waffles filled with ice cream and chopped candy under elm and evergreen in their third century my balcony shaded by blackened limbs off the Sangre de Cristo range.

By Kyle Laws

Iditarod Dream

I tugged on my heavy felt Sorels after reading your letter. The compulsion to walk in the snowstorm was strong. I wanted to feel the Alaskan cold air, but Colorado would have to do. I imagined your chapped red hands tucked inside thick gloves, spongy soft fingers gripping the axe. You volunteered to chop frozen hunks of meat for protein starved canine athletes during the Iditarod. Bundled in polypropylene, wool and a water repellent down jacket you moved from dog to dog like a huge marshmallow puff.

I met a woman who ran her team of dogs on the Iditarod Trail and the scent of testosterone froze in the arctic fog. She completed the race. Ice crystals framed her head like a halo and the saliva froze on her dog’s muzzles. It was a successful run. Now I wonder what escapade calls you into your eightieth year. So, onward into this life! The path gets longer instead of shorter.

The dog’s muzzle white with frozen breath the race is on

About us

Our group began as Line/Circle: Women Poets in Performance at the Arts Alliance Studio Community until the start of COVID-19 when we drifted to Mineral Palace Park, Steel City Art Works and our homes. We’ve performed in Pueblo for four years, weaving poems together from our original work. We look forward to what we can bring to the Pueblo Star Journal.

By Patsy Kate Booth

Real Storytelling

By Danielle Whitaker & Hailee Langowski

Pueblo, CO., is a city full of unique people, perspectives and cultures. It serves as a home to a distinctive history of the Steel Mill, as well as the “Chile & Frijoles Festival,” celebrating delicious Pueblo chilis. The downtown is filled with live music and art everywhere, including but not limited to local art studios, Pueblo Arts Alliance, and brewpub, Brues Alehouse Brewing Company. It is also known as the “Home of Heroes,” as four Medal of Honor recipients call the steel city home.

There are so many distinctive stories to be learned and shared. It’s essential to recognize the evolving ways communities can share these narratives. Pueblo has a strong sense of community, and these stories deserve a safe space to be heard. Media should be a safe space, but that isn’t always the case. Newspapers have been a communication outlet for a long time, but around the country, newspapers are going extinct. Local news and conversations begin to disappear as well as community involvement. Studies have shown that civic engagement and community connection decline when local news is lost. The primary focus of discussions on how to rethink local media must be with people who do not trust it, do not have access to it or have never had access to it, particularly communities of color, residents of rural

areas and those who do not have access to home internet. There is a need for local journalism to be rethought, changed and evolved.

SOCO Student Media at Colorado State University Pueblo (CSU Pueblo) acknowledges the need and has created a goal to change local journalism with a grant-funded project called “Real Storytelling.” It is an initiative to collaborate with local voices and help share the real, meaningful stories and perspectives willing to be learned and heard throughout the Pueblo community and afar.

The Department of Media & Entertainment at CSU Pueblo includes SOCO Student Media: The TODAY newspaper, Rev 89 radio station and the Student Media T.V. Studio. All these media outlets intend to collaborate for the Real Storytelling project.

In Feb. 2022, the Dep. was awarded a grant of $25,000 titled “Diverse Voices: A Community-Based Diversity Equity Inclusion (DEI) Initiative” from the Colorado Media Project and the Colorado News Collaborative. The grant aims to “strengthen connections and build trust between Colorado newsrooms and the diverse communities they serve.”

The Colorado Media Project (CMP) brings together funders, business and civic leaders, journalists and community advocates concerned about the status and future of local news and information in our state. The Colorado News Collaborative (COLab) is a nonprofit, statewide media resource hub and ideas lab that serves all Coloradans by strengthening high-quality local journalism, supporting civic engagement and ensuring public accountability.

CMP and COLab launched News Voices, an initiative for Colorado to work alongside communities, “especially those

SOCO Student Media faces the local-news desert head on with grant-funded journalism workshop

whose needs and voices have historically been ignored or misrepresented in media — to help repair and strengthen local news.”

The Chair and Associate Professor of the Dep. of Media & Entertainment, Dr. Jon Pluskota, said the grant money is intended to finance “workshops for local stakeholders, community workshops, branding and identity, outreach projects, [as well as] technology and tools for storytelling and support staff.”

SOCO Student Media will host workshops and community dialogues for community members, students and faculty about various topics and stories shared, as well as discussions about education on diversity, equity and inclusion can start a conversation about how to address those issues best together. An advisory board of active members in the community to converse on different ideas and initiatives within local journalism is also a goal for Real Storytelling. These community workshops will likely provide students and community members with “a prime opportunity to shape who we are as ed-

ucational programs, how we work and integrate with the community, and how we support the community,” Dr. Pluskota said. “We want this to become the foundation of our identity.”

The introduction to the project and these workshops was held Saturday, Dec. 12, 2022, at the Rawlings Library in the Friends of the Library Room. It was hosted by students involved in The TODAY newspaper: Hailee Langowski, the lifestyle editor and diversity and inclusion manager, and Brenden Vigil, the graphic designer director. The intention of future workshops will continue to be at the Rawlings Library, with dates being discussed.

If you want to share the importance of your story or are interested in how you can be involved with Real Storytelling, reach out for contact information through the PSJ or contact the Dep. of Media & Entertainment, SOCO Student Media, at CSU Pueblo.

Pueblo Star Journal board member, Gregory Howell, and Danielle Whitaker straighten up the workshop display.

Photo by Kim Pluskota.

Photo by Kim Pluskota

Photo by Kim Pluskota

Pics from the past

Dutch Clark

In honor of the new Pueblo Star Sports podcast, we share the historic images of one of Pueblo’s greatest sports figures - Dutch Clark. Images include Dutch Clark on and off the field and the stadium named in his honor.

Photos courtesy of the Pueblo County Historical Society.

Salute to heroes

By Ben Cason

Mt. Carmel Veterans Service Center hosted their Salute to Heroes event on the campus of Pueblo Community College

on Jan. 19. A crowd of nearly 250 people attended the event. The event had a mix of active-duty military, veterans, dignitaries and other Puebloans in attendance. The keynote speaker for the event was Major Drew Dix, one of Pueblo’s Medal of Honor recipients.

“I’ve been to a few places who had these events; those weren’t as full as this one,” Dix said. The event had a silent auction as well as the opportunity to give to Mt. Carmel. The focus was to encourage us to volunteer, donate or check in on a veteran.

Mt. Carmel Veterans Service Center provides transition and employment assistance, behavioral health and wellness, supportive services, connection to community resources and safe event space for veterans, military members and their families.

Drew Dix joined the US Army

in 1962. He demonstrated faithful service to his country throughout his career and was awarded the Medal of Honor during his tour as a Special Forces Sergeant. This made him the first enlisted man in the US Army Special Forces to receive the award.

After his years in active duty, he co-founded the Center for American Values and founded CO. REMUDA LLC. Which specializes in helping active and returning military.

“We need to take care of our veterans,” Dix said. “Not just for the veterans now, but the future, so they know our values prevail.”

iHeartRadio’s Nick Donovan was the emcee for the event.

“It’s more than a motto, it’s a way of life around here: The Home of Heroes,” Donovan said.

The four recipients of the Medal of Honor from Pueblo include: Pvt. William J. Crawford, Army, WWII — 1943; Capt. Carl L. Sit-

ter, Marines, Korean War — 1953; Lt. Raymond G. “Jerry” Murphy, Marines, Korean War – 1953, and Sgt. Drew D. Dix, Army, Vietnam War — 1968.

President Dwight D. Eisenhower, upon presenting Raymond G. “Jerry” Murphy with his Medal in 1953 commented, “What is it… something in the water out there in Pueblo? All you guys turn out to be heroes!”

“I’m proud to be a part of Pueblo,” Dix said. “One of the main reasons I gravitate here is that Pueblo is a cross section of people who believe in the same thing. A strong country and great people pulling together understanding what needs to be done.”

Drew Dix spoke of the problems he faced when returning from the service.

“I really appreciate what was done for me, helping when I got home,” he said.

Mt. Carmel is committed to serving military, veterans and their families in Southern Colorado and are now providing services in Pueblo. Their services are offered in-person and virtually to meet the needs of the Pueblo Veteran and Military community.

“The organization is an effort to do great things and I’m really proud of that,” Dix said.

“Every dollar raised here stays in Pueblo, goes to Pueblo veterans and their families.” Said Brian McCain, COO of Action22. “We’re Pueblo proud.”

Dix indicated his appreciation for organizations such as this. “Thank God we have people in communities who welcome these young men back,” Dix said. “They’ve contributed a lot.”

Medal of Honor recipient Drew Dix spoke of the importance of supporting veterans

Drew Dix spoke about Pueblo’s dedication to its veterans. Photo courtesy of Mt. Carmel Veterans Services.

Photo courtesy of Mt. Carmel Veterans Services Center.

Photo by Mt. Carmel Services Center

ART & HISTORY

“You Should Have Seen It: Pueblo’s Mineral Palace”

10 a.m.-4 p.m daily through April 1, El Pueblo History Museum, 301 N. Union Ave. Info: historycolorado.org

War Memorial Ghost Tours

7- 9 p.m. first Saturday of each month, Pueblo Weisbrod Aircraft Museum, 31001 Magnuson Ave.

Info: pwam.org

Arts & Chats with Kimberly Sewell

4 p.m. Sundays, at the ArtHub at Pueblo Arts Alliance, 107 S. Grand Ave.

Info: kimberly@puebloarts.org

Art History for Kiddos

1 p.m. every other Sunday, Pueblo Arts Alliance, 107 S. Grand Ave.

Info: 602-281-5558

What’s the Buzz? The life of the Honeybee

Through May 13, Buell Children’s Museum at Sangre de Cristo Arts & Conference Center, 210 N. Santa Fe Ave.

Info: sdc-arts.org

FAITH

Interfaith meditation and service

10-11:30 a.m. Sundays, Center for Inner Peace, 740 W. 15th St. Info: 719-543-2274

FAMILY EVENTS

Pueblo Rocks in the Park

Noon-2 p.m. Fridays, Ray Aguilera Park, 840 W. Northern Ave.

GAMES

Chaos Games & More 4065 Club Manor Drive

Info: chaosgamesandmore.com

Pokemon, Dungeons & Dragons, Magic: The Gathering, Warhammer 40k, board game nights and more. Weekly game schedule available on website.

Game Knight Games

1839 S. Pueblo Blvd.

Info: gameknightgamesllc.com

Pokemon, Dungeons & Dragons, Magic: The Gathering, Keyforge, My Hero Academia, board game league and more. Weekly game schedule available on website.

MUSIC

Line Dancing

EZ 4 p.m., Country/Classic 6-7 p.m. Wednesdays, Eagleridge Event Center, 805 Eagleridge Blvd., Suite 170 Info: facebook.com/PuebloDanceCompany Cocktail Hour with Live Music

7-9 p.m., Analogue Bar, 222 N. Main St. Info: facebook.com/AnalogueSolar

Check out PSJ’s First Friday Art Walk Guide on page 13 for a quicker look at the events happening in Pueblo’s art scene.

Pop events in art guide will also appear here.

BLO BACK ART GALLERY

Photo by Gregory Howell

Open Mic at Blue Cactus

6-9 p.m. Thursdays, El Nopal’s Blue Cactus Room, 1435 E. Evans Ave. Info: 719-564-9784

Karaoke Night at The Fallout with KJ Mikey D.

9-11 p.m. Fridays, 1227 S. Prairie Ave. Info: facebook.com/PuebloFallout

WELLNESS

Seniors: Riverwalk Walking Group

Meets 10 a.m. Mondays in front of Senior Resource Development Agency (SRDA), 230 N. Union Ave.

Info: 719-553-3446 or richmond@sdra.org

Wellbrierty Support Meeting

9-10:30 a.m. Wednesdays, Center for Inner Peace, 740 W. 15th St.

NAMI Peer-to-Peer

5:30-7:30 p.m. Wednesdays through March 15, NAMI (National Alliance on Mental Illness) Southeast Colorado, 1622 Jackson St. Info: 719-315-4975

Prenatal Workshop and Support Group

6-7 p.m. las Wednesday of each month, Phoenix

Massage, 105W. Fifth St. Info: socodoulaco@gmail.com

Yoga: Hun Yuan Qi Gong

10 a.m. Tuesdays and Thursdays at Anahata

Healing Yoga Studio, 3942 Ivywood Lane, $5/ class; Wednesdays and Thursdays on Zoom (no charge); Sundays at City Park Ballroom, George L. Williams Pavillion, 801 Goodnight Ave.

Ladies Night Out Self-Defense Training

6-8 p.m. first Friday of the month, Rocky Mountain Empowerment Center, 330 Lake Ave. Info: $39, 800-748-2074

FEBRUARY 2023

Feb 3 - Friday

First Friday Art Walk

4-6 p.m. Sangre de Cristos Arts and Conference Center, 210 N. Union Ave.

4-7 p.m. El Pueblo History Museum, 302 N. Union Ave.

5-7 p.m. Liminal Space Gallery, 107 S. Grand Ave.

Feb 6 - Monday

Startup Pueblo Book Club: “Extreme Ownership: How U.S. Navy Seals Lead & Win” by Jocko Willink & Leif Babin

Noon-1 p.m.. Magpies, 229 S. Union Ave. Info: facebook.com/StartUpPueblo

Feb 7 - Tuesday

Startup Pueblo February Meetup

5:30 p.m., Brue’s Alehouse, 20 Riverwalk Place. Info: facebook.com/StartUpPueblo

Wand Making Class

6 p.m., Karmic Konnection, 125 E. Abriendo Ave. Info: $55, 719-542-9887

Feb 9 - Thursday

Books Again Book Club: “The Path Between the Seas”

9 a.m., Books Again, 622 S. Union Ave. Info: booksagain-pueblo,com/events.html or 719553-0340

Feb 11 - Saturday

Fasching

8 p.m., Union Depot, 132 W. B St. Info: faschingpueblo.com or 719-565-7727

Feb 18 - Saturday

Author Meet and Greet: Beth Bricker Davis

1-3 p.m., Books Again, 622 S. Union Ave. Info: booksagain-pueblo,com/events.html or 719-5530340

Feb 19 - Sunday

Tuscany at St. Joseph’s

3-7 p.m., St. Joseph’s Parish, 1124 Aspen Road Info: All local artists invited to this wine tasting & art festival. 719-240-6006

Feb 21 - Tuesday

March 17 - Friday

Benise - Fiesta!

7 p.m., Memorial Hall, 1 City Place Info: pueblomemorialhall.com

APRIL 2023

Fat Tuesday

5 p.m., Greater Pueblo Chamber of Commerce, 302 N. Santa Fe Ave. Info: pueblochamber.org

MARCH 2023

March 8 - Wednesday

“Legally Blonde: The Musical”

7 p.m., Memorial Hall, 1 City Hall Place Info: $42-$90, pueblomemorialhall.com

March 9 - Thursday

Books Again Book Club: “The Dictionary of Lost Words”

9 a.m., Books Again, 622 S. Union Ave. Info: booksagain-pueblo,com/events.html or 719-553-0340

April 13 - Thursday

Books Again Book Club: “Neither Wolf Nor Dog”

9 a.m., Books Again, 622 S. Union Ave. Info: booksagain-pueblo,com/events.html or 719-553-0340

April 23 - Sunday

Broadway Theatre League: “Anatasia”

7 p.m., Memorial Hall, 1 City Hall Place Info: $62-$90, pueblomemorialhall.com

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