BUILDING
BRIGHTER FUTURES
GIRLS INC. OF METRO DENVER
SOUL FOOD
SCHOLAR
ADRIAN MILLER
the wake of Denver’s historically
winter, expert gardeners weigh in on the power of “Coloradoscaping.”
the screen and meet these creatives IRL at a summer market near you.
BELCARO & BONNIE BRAE EDITION
READERS, FRIENDS, AND NEIGHBORS,
I’m delighted to introduce myself as we welcome the beginning of summer. My lineage is mostly Scottish, and my ancestors settled in Mt. Pleasant in Western Pennsylvania, so I was overcome with a sense of preternatural synergy upon learning that Bonnie Brae is derived from Gaelic and means Pleasant Hill. This is clearly where I’m meant to be, and sharing my heartfelt enthusiasm for our community with all of you makes it that much more meaningful. Our neighborhood is full of character, from charming cafes and friendly shops to the bustling markets about to fill our streets and parks with color, creativity, and treasures both old and new. June is a month of celebration: Juneteenth, PrideFest, and the Denver Cherry Blossom Festival are just a few examples, each instilled
with a deep sense of cultural pride and an abundance of joy.
In this issue, we’ve highlighted some of Denver’s most inspiring citizens, whose passion and generosity enrich our ecosystem, our urban landscape, and so much more. You’ll learn about Coloradoscaping, the gardening movement designed to conserve water and strengthen biodiversity, with ample resources in your own backyard. Soul Food Scholar Adrian Miller, a polymath of exceptional wisdom, shares a delicious family recipe and explains why cooking is an act of love. We’re also excited to showcase the nonprofit Girls Inc., which provides invaluable support to our community by nurturing girls’ development through education, scholarships, professional opportunities, and lifelong friendships. And we’ve profiled local creatives Anthony Adamsky and Holly Golightly, two artisans building their respective brands organically, and who you can meet in person at the summer’s best markets.
From empowering climate resilience to championing “slow food” and the handmade, these stories all share a common thread: sustainability. Shopping locally, planting native wildflowers, and supporting local charities are simple ways we can each make a tangible difference and contribute to a brighter future.
Our neighborhood is wonderfully eclectic, and so are the stories revealed in these pages. If you have a story to share, please don’t hesitate to reach out. We love to hear from our audience and strive to include as many voices as possible.
Thank you for reading and for being part of our journey.
Emilie Trice Editor,
MyDenver emilie.trice@wainscotmedia.com mydenvermag.com @mydenvermag
Publisher
Sawyer Matz
sawyer.matz@wainscotmedia.com
Editor
Emilie Trice
Writers Adrian Miller
Bernie Clarke
Emilie Trice
Paige Duncan
Photographer Daniel Brenner
WAINSCOT MEDIA
Chairman Carroll V. Dowden
President and CEO
Mark Dowden
SVP, Group Publisher
Thomas Flannery
VP, Content Strategy Maria Regan
VP, Director of Digital Media Nigel Edelshain
Creative Director
Kijoo Kim
Art Director
Rosemary O’Connell
Associate Editor Sophia Carlisle
Advertising Services Director
Jacquelynn Fischer
Operations Director Catherine Rosario
Production Designer Chris Ferrante
Print Production Manager Fern Meshulam
Circulation Manager Kathy Wenzler
Advertising Production Associate Griff Dowden
MyDenver magazine is published by Wainscot Media. Serving residents of Bonnie Brae and Belcaro, the magazine is distributed monthly via U.S. mail. Articles and advertisements contained herein do not necessarily reflect the opinions of the publishers. Copyright 2026 by Wainscot Media LLC. No portion of this magazine may be reproduced in any form without written consent.
KALO, The #1 multi-faceted space for women.
At KALO, we design our programs with a deep understanding of how women’s bodies actually function, from hormonal cycles and recovery needs to emotional regulation and nervous system health, because respecting your body extends beyond physical strength into emotional awareness, self-trust, and education. Through an ever-evolving, service-rooted approach, we are creating a space where women learn how to support themselves more fully and train in a way that allows them to thrive.
Think sun-drenched patios, clinking glasses, and bottles that don’t take themselves too seriously. This month’s Wine Lover Club is all about summer sips — expect bright fruit, refreshing acidity, and easygoing elegance in every pour.
Each month our team hand-selects two wines and pairs them with simple tasting notes to help you sip, learn, and enjoy!
•• (303) 733-7261
Many thanks to our committed sponsors, who make it possible for us to bring you high-quality local stories each month. Shopping and doing business close to home are excellent ways to support our community. When you visit our sponsors, please tell them MyDenver magazine sent you!
From toddlers to teens, Aspen Academy supports your child’s journey with leadership, values, and realworld learning—all under one roof.
303-346-3500 | aspenacademy.org @Aspen_Academy
Coggeshall Construction works closely with each client, treating each project like a masterpiece, allowing it to take the shape of your dream home.
303-777-0894 | coggeshall.com
In Denver’s historic Bonnie Brae, we’re more than a liquor store—we’re a community hub to connect, discover new favorites, and get expert recommendations. 303-733-7261 | bonniebraeliquor.com @bonniebraeliquor
Colorado’s longest-running furniture store, Howard Lorton has served Denver since 1927. Three generations of family, design expertise, and 45,000 square feet of furnishings at 12th and Broadway. Explore the world of fine living with Howard Lorton. 303-831-1212 | howardlorton.com | @howardlortonfurniture
1005 S. Gaylord Street, Denver, 80209
Denver attorney Chris Matz has fought for clients across criminal defense, family law, dissolution, and parenting and child support matters for over 26 years. Helping good people navigate difficult times. chrismatzlaw.com | @Chris Matz Law
Honeywood Garden Design creates living landscapes inspired by nature, specializing in water-wise pollinator, prairie, and woodland shade gardens. Less lawn & more life! honeywoodgardendesign.com @honeywoodgardendesign
KALO embodies the new definition of wellness for women. We design our programs with a deep understanding of how women’s bodies function, from hormonal cycles and recovery needs to emotional regulation and nervous system health, because respecting your body extends beyond physical strength into emotional awareness, self-trust, and education. Through a service-rooted approach, we create a space where women learn how to support themselves more fully and train in a way that allows them to thrive. 760-994-6935 | kalofitness.com | @kalo_fitness
Phatt Matt’s on South Broadway is Denver’s go-to spot for authentic cheesesteaks, pizza, and wings. Order online or stop in seven days a week.
303-330-0407 | phattmatts.com | @phattmatts 2231 S. Broadway, Denver, 80210
KGA is a residential architectural studio specializing in custom homes and remodels. Founded in 1977, we blend thoughtful design with a client-first process to create beautiful, timeless homes.
303-442-5882 | kgarch.com | @kga_studio @kgastudioarchitects
Red Leaf Wine Cellars and Saunas designs and installs custom wine cellars, racking systems, climate control, and saunas across the Denver Metro Area and Front Range. 303-327-5803 | denverwinecellar.com
LotusGroup Advisors is a Wash Park–based wealth management firm that integrates public and private investments into personalized financial plans—helping clients build, protect, and use their wealth so they can Make Life Count.
720-593-9861 | lgadvisors.com | @lgadvisors 1005 S. Gaylord Street, Denver, 80209
Boutique kitchen design and remodeling, bringing curated home products and expert craftsmanship to Denver homes that demand something better.
303-225-0555 | thedesignery.com | @thedesignerydenver
Summer in Denver begins with a menagerie of festivals, markets, cultural events, live music, and all-you-can-eat tacos. Juneteenth celebrations, PrideFest, and Denver’s award-winning Cherry Blossom Festival are just a few of the highlights from this month’s round-up.
June 6
Blooms & Buzz Wash Park East Garden Tour
Explore a curated selection of local gardens with expert guides courtesy of the Wash Park East Neighborhood Association (WPENA). This year’s tour focuses on bridging beauty and sustainability with climate-resilient plants and wildflowers. Learn from CSU master gardeners and local horticulturists about water-wise habitats, designed to protect pollinators like bees and butterflies. The tour kicks off at 10 a.m. For more information, visit wpena.org.
June 6
Frost & Fog of Niflheim: A Nine Realms Fantasy Event
Transport yourself to a world of magic and intrigue with this immersive urban-fantasy adventure in support of a great cause. Featuring live action role play, side quests, exciting raffle prizes, and a tavern-style dance party. Dress code is whimsical meets goth with proceeds to benefit the new South Denver Historical Museum. The fun begins at 5 p.m. and runs until 10 p.m at the Church Night Club, 1160 Lincoln Street, Denver.
7
Juneteenth: The Story of Soul Food with Adrian Miller
Join James Beard award-winning author, historian, Netflix star, and church leader Adrian Miller as he traces the roots of soul food and the African diaspora in a special Juneteenth presentation. Culinary treats will be provided by Welton Street Café. The event begins at 1 p.m. at Columbine Library, 7706 W. Bowles Avenue, Littleton. To learn more about Adrian, check out our Q&A in this month’s issue!
June 16
Spring Exhibitions Curator Tour at the MCA Denver
Follow along as MCA Denver’s esteemed curator Miranda Lash reveals the meaning embedded in each of the museum’s three solo exhibitions. Featuring acclaimed artist Ana María Hernando’s cascading tulle sculptures, Sammy Seung-min Lee’s whimsical homages to her Korean heritage, and the intriguingly obsessive work of Bethany Collins, who rewrote every word of “Moby Dick” entirely by hand. Tickets start at $22.28 for non-members, and the event runs
from 6 to 8 p.m. at the Museum of Contemporary Art Denver, 1485 Delgany Street, Denver.
Juneteenth Music Festival
It’s Juneteenth all weekend long with a jam-packed schedule of live music, parades, food trucks, bar crawls, and more in the historic neighborhood of Five Points, Denver’s very own “Harlem of the West.” Friday is dedicated to the
Southern Soul Plaza Party, which promises live bands, DJs, line dancing, and lots of comfort food (6 to 11 p.m. at Five Points Plaza). Saturday is the fifteenth anniversary of the Juneteenth Street Festival, a block party full of family-friendly activities (noon to 8 p.m. at 2700 Welton Street), and Sunday is reserved for the Juneteenth Hop, a tour through the bars and breweries of Welton Street with live music featuring the
traditions of jazz, blues, hip-hop, and beyond. Get all the details at juneteenthmusicfestival.com.
Jazz Fest spotlight: Hazel Miller & The Collective Don’t miss our March cover girl, Hazel Miller, as she lights up the City Park Jazz stage for the festival’s fortieth anniversary with her signature blend of R&B, blues, jazz, and soul. Miller is a Colorado Music Hall of Fame inductee and has shared the stage with other legends such as Herbie Hancock and Al Green. The concert is free and begins at 6 p.m. at City Park Jazz, 2001 Steele Street, Denver. Learn more at cityparkjazz.org.
Top Taco in Westminster Indulge in all-you-can-eat tacos from more than 60 restaurants, each with a unique spin on the
beloved street food staple. In addition to endless tasting samples, ranging from the traditional to the gourmet, this vibrant event also serves up live music, lucha libre wrestling, goat petting, and hundreds of tequilas and mezcals, including spirits from our friends at Bonnie Brae Liquor. For taco lovers age 21 and older with tickets starting at $99. Get yours at denver. toptaco.com. 5453 W 88th Avenue, Westminster.
Denver Cherry Blossom Festival
The 52nd annual Denver Cherry Blossom Festival celebrates the traditions, treasures, and tastes of Japanese culture in the heart of downtown at Sakura Square. Browse the festival’s market for unique and authentic Japanese fashions, ceramics, jewelry, anime, and original art. Sample delectable
The Cherry Blossom Festival honors Japanese culture with an eclectic range of cultural activities. Westminster’s Top Taco festival promises all-youcan-eat bites and delicious drinks from dozens of vendors, including our friends at Bonnie Brae Liquor. Drummers perform at the Cherry Blossom Festival.
sushi rolls and Gyoza dumplings, drink your weight in sake, learn about Buddhism, and enjoy live performances such as Taiko drumming, karate demonstrations, and traditional folk dancing. Events begin each day at 11 a.m. at Sakura Square, 1255 19th Street, Denver. Find the full schedule at cherryblossomdenver.org.
Market in the Park-et at Wash
Denver’s charmingly eclectic artisan market returns to Wash Park with a movable feast of upcycled fashion, vintage threads, handmade decor, tasty treats, and one-of-akind artworks. Shopping locally and buying directly from the makers themselves is ethical, sustainable, and always in style. The market is open from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., and admission is free. Washington Park Boathouse, 701 S Franklin St., Denver. Check out marketintheparket.com for more.
Denver PrideFest is more than a party—it’s a celebration of inclusive culture, love, and the entire LGBTQ+ community. It’s also among the top five largest Pride celebrations in the United States. This year, PrideFest moves to its new location on the 16th Street Promenade, making downtown’s main artery the runway of our dreams. Featuring live music, drag shows, and tons of activities for all ages, PrideFest always delivers an unforgettable mix of fashion, joy, and fearless individuality. Dress to impress and get ready, because this year’s PrideFest is shaping up to be the best one yet. See for yourself at denverpride.org. 16th Street Mall, spanning Broadway to Arapahoe.
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
Author, activist, and culinary historian Adrian Miller on spreading the gospel of soul food.
BY MYDENVER STAFF
You’re on the advisory board of the nonprofit Slow Food Denver, which recently celebrated its 25th anniversary. How did you get involved with this organization and its mission?
Slow Food’s mission is really about creating a more just and sustainable food system and promoting the enjoyment of local food to the entire community. I grew up in Denver and, when I was young, my thinking about food was mostly just about taste. However, as I’ve gotten older and through my journey doing food
training and all these other things, I’ve started to have a more holistic view. I’ve developed a deeper appreciation of food—how food connects me to my family and my community, and especially to my church. But I’ve also seen that, despite our nation’s prosperity, we still have so many issues with hunger and also with food waste. So many people struggle with food insecurity; it’s just heartbreaking, so the Slow Food mission really resonates with me, and I’ve been an advisor to the organization for about six years.
Do you consider yourself a food activist?
Definitely. I would also say that I’m a food justice evangelist. We’ve been getting one version of food history that’s been very Eurocentric. A lot of my work has been to show the African heritage and contributions to what we call American food, so my activism has been really in curating a more complete picture of our nation’s food traditions.
You’re an expert on many different types of cuisine, but especially soul food. How’s the soul food scene in Denver?
Denver’s Black community is underappreciated. People always joke that there are no Black people in Colorado, but Denver’s Black community is around 10 or 11%, which is very close to the national average. Soul food has been a part of our community for decades, but soul food has also gotten somewhat of a bad reputation because people can be so negative about it.
Outside of the Black community, people think soul food is inherently unhealthy. Within the Black community, people think it’s slave food, which I can understand because there’s a narrative that African Americans, particularly enslaved African Americans, took the food that white people didn’t want to eat,
actually look at what enslaved people were eating, it’s very close to what we call vegan today. In fact, traditional West African food is very plant-based and easily translates to a vegan diet.
threw their creativity and love into it, and turned it into something delicious. But if you go back and actually look at what people were eating, people of the same socioeconomic class were pretty much eating the same food; they just weren’t eating those foods together because of racism. That blew me away because I had bought into the whole narrative that soul food was something wholly created for and by Black people, so it was a revelation to realize there was a lot more commonality than I previously thought.
Has soul food gotten healthier?
Soul food is really the celebration food of the South, transplanted to other parts of the country. And let me just say this: If you eat the celebration food of any culture on a regular basis, it’s not going to be good for your health. That’s the whole point of celebration food, right? It has more sugar, more oil, more flavor because it’s something you reserve for special, celebratory occasions.
Lately, if you look at what nutritionists are telling us to eat, it’s more dark leafy greens and sweet potatoes. They’re calling hibiscus and okra superfoods, and they’re saying to eat more seafood—these are all pillars of the African-American diet. Plus, if you
How does your faith intersect with your culinary interests?
Food is an important part of the Christian faith tradition, as it is in many others. I run the Colorado Council of Churches, which is a group that brings Christians together to get to know one another across denominational lines and do social justice work together. The early Christian Church actually started with potluck meals in people’s homes. This holy potluck idea is a strong part of the culture because food helped build a sense of community—a lot of the early church communities were built that way. I have so many fond, vivid memories of my childhood and these meals after church, where you had these Black church mothers just throwing down—my mom was one of them, she was a very highly regarded cook within the congregation. So food fosters connection, and there’s definitely a spiritual component to cooking. When you cook for somebody, you’re saying that you care about that person’s survival, and that you want them to stay a while. So, in a way, you’re saying that you love that person.
Don’t miss Adrian’s talk at the Columbine Library: Juneteenth: The Story of Soul Food
feel-good dessert that tastes like summer, from our family to yours.
BY ADRIAN MILLER
banana pudding recipe embraces the old and the new. It’s got an old-fashioned custard to bring the main ingredients together and a homemade meringue to top it all off. Instead of making the bread component from scratch, I use vanilla wafer cookies. This is a very sweet dessert and a definite crowd-pleaser.
Makes 12 servings
INGREDIENTS
Pudding
• 1 cup sugar
• ½ cup all-purpose flour
• ½ teaspoon salt
• 4 cups whole milk
• 4 large egg yolks
• 2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract
• 6 small, ripe, firm bananas, cut into thin rounds (about 6 cups)
• 8 ounces vanilla wafers (about 60 cookies)
Meringue
• 4 large egg whites
• ½ teaspoon cream of tartar
• ½ cup sugar
1. For the pudding: In a large, heavy saucepan or in the top of a double boiler, whisk together the sugar, flour, and salt. (If using a double boiler, fill the bottom about onethird full of water and bring to a simmer.)
2. Whisking continuously, add the milk in a slow, steady stream, whisking until smooth. Whisk in the egg yolks. Cook over medium heat, stirring continuously with a heatproof spatula, until the mixture thickens to the consistency of thick pudding, about 15 minutes. Remove the pan from the heat and stir in the vanilla.
3. Line the bottom of a large, glass serving piece with vanilla wafers. Top with a layer of banana slices. Pour a thin layer of custard over the bananas, spreading it with the spatula. Repeat the layers until you have used all of the remaining ingredients, ending with a top layer of custard.
4. For the meringue: Preheat the oven to 350°F. Place the egg whites and cream of tartar in a clean, dry, spotless metal or glass bowl. Beat with an electric mixer set to
high speed until the whites begin to hold soft peaks. With the mixer running, add the sugar in a slow, steady stream. Continue beating until the whites are glossy and hold stiff peaks. Spoon the meringue over the warm pudding, making sure it touches the edges of the bowl. Use the back of the spoon to make a pretty design in the meringue.
5. Bake until the tips of the meringue are golden brown, about 15 minutes.
6. Let cool for 15 minutes and then refrigerate until the pudding is chilled.
7. Serve cold.
“Soul
Food Scholar” Adrian Miller is the awardwinning author of four books. Learn more at adrianemiller. com.
In the wake of Denver’s historically warm winter, expert gardeners weigh in on the power of “Coloradoscaping.”
BY EMILIE TRICE
TTHIS PAST SPRING, Denver Parks and Rec launched an initiative to replace the grass lawns around City Hall with native plants and wildflowers, an ecotransformation affectionately known as “Coloradoscaping.” The project estimates that converting just one acre of Denver’s “front yard” will save approximately one million gallons of water per year. In response to Colorado’s historic drought and warmest winter since 1894, Denver Water recently implemented mandatory restrictions for metro residents, limiting lawn and garden watering to twice a week. In the increasingly urgent effort to conserve water, every acre counts—for people, plants, animals, and our future on this planet. Fortunately, turning your own backyard into a climate-resilient oasis that’s both water-efficient and scenic isn’t as daunting as it seems. Even small changes can compound over time to make a huge difference.
Callae Gedrose has been gardening for over 20 years, but when she first started, she hired a landscape architect. “After that project was complete, I was disappointed with the plantings. None of them seemed to fit, and none of them thrived,” she recalls. “So, I ripped out all the landscape fabric and all the plants, and that’s when I noticed that the soil had no worms and no microbes; it was just dead.”
Intrigued, Gedrose began educating herself about naturalistic gardens and scouring local nurseries for native plants. She converted her yard section by section. “I discovered that the more above-ground biodiversity I added to these spaces, the more pollinators and birds they attracted,” she says, “but I also noticed that when I started digging back into the soil, it was full of life.”
Today, Gedrose is a certified Regenerative Gardener, a certified
Soil Advocate, and the founder of Honeywood Garden Design, which specializes in “living landscapes.”
In her own garden, she created a microclimate by updating a dry shade section with pollinator plants and a dense ground covering. “It’s 10 degrees cooler in that area than the rest of the space,” she says, “and then I noticed a lot of birds taking refuge there.”
Gedrose also helps her clients understand what regenerative practice entails and how they can become “responsible land stewards.” Colorado encompasses eight different major ecosystems, from semi-desert shrublands to montane forests to alpine tundra. Denver possesses a similarly rich ecological spectrum, due to the city’s location at the edge of the Rockies, where the High Plains and shortgrass prairie meet the foothills.
Still, Gedrose points out that Coloradoscaping doesn’t require only native plants to be effective. “I don’t use
any plants that require a high amount of water usage,” she explains. “But I believe that our climate is in a state of fluctuation, and we need to be able to adjust. Certain non-native plants can thrive in our system and aren’t invasive—they serve a purpose and support our habitat by adding to our biodiversity.”
Function and form are equally important to Gedrose. “I consider myself a garden designer, and it’s also my creative outlet,” she says. “I’m creating these gardens for a purpose; but for me, it’s also about creating beauty.”
Gedrose isn’t the only local gardener who took matters into her own hands. During the pandemic, Lisa Negri bought the house next door to hers in East Wash Park, tore it down, and founded SummerHome Garden, an urban garden open to the public that’s
composed entirely of drought-adapted plants. What began as Negri’s passion project has since evolved into a beloved community habitat.
With the guidance and expertise of Kevin Philip Williams, a horticulturist at the Denver Botanic Gardens, Negri designed SummerHome Garden to focus on sustainability, aesthetics, and regenerating pollinators such as bees and butterflies. “We started with 4,000 plants and about 45 species,” she says. “Now, we’re at 180 species of plants that will tolerate the current climate in Colorado and the climate in the next 30 to 50 years.” Scientists at the University of Maryland predict that, by the year 2056, Colorado’s climate will resemble that El Paso, Texas, and it will only get warmer—and drier—over time.
Negri typically only waters her garden once a month. She agrees with Gedrose that increasing biodiversity is critical, and, for that reason, many of the plant species in SummerHome Garden are actually not native to Colorado. “We live in the North American steppe, and any plant that grows in any steppe region—Patagonia or Central Asia, for instance—will also grow in another steppe region.” Negri points to the tulips in her garden as an example. “Tulips from Turkey do great in Colorado,” she says, estimating that there are currently around 35,000 bulbs planted at SummerHome.
SummerHome Garden is also dotted with a series of “Bug Snugs,” which resemble organic teepees and are home to a variety of insects.
Additionally, Negri installed several pollinator habitats. “In Colorado, there are around 800 species of solitary bees; those are our native bees,” she says. “They live in the ground, about six inches down, but we’ve created above-ground houses for them. They out-pollinate a European honey bee by 10 times. These are the pollinators we have to support by not putting fabric down, not putting lawns in, or using heavy mulches, because they need to get into the soil.”
Both Gedrose and Negri are active supporters of Wild Ones, a national nonprofit whose local chapter empowers “Front Range residents to plant and promote native Coloradoscapes for a climate-resilient future.” Board member Ayn Schmit spent nearly four decades working on water quality for the Environmental Protection Agency and now dedicates herself to the Wild Ones’ mission. She’s excited about two new demonstration gardens currently in development, one in West Lakewood and the other in northwest Denver, which will be used as resources for hands-on teaching. Wild Ones also offers online toolkits, beginner guides, seed propagation workshops, and webinars for novice gardeners who want to apply Coloradoscaping principles to their own spaces, but don’t know how to start, or might not even have a lawn.
INSTEAD OF:
Daylilies
Mums
Zinnias
Lilac
Paper Birch Trees
Blue Avena Grass
PLANT THIS:
Desert Prince’s Plum
Baby Blue
Rabbit Bush
Blanketflower
Rockspirea
Aspen Trees
Yucca
*Tips courtesy of Wild Ones, Front Range. Get more tips at frontrange.wildones.org
TRANSFORM YOUR SPACE:
Honeywood Garden Design
Certified Regenerative Gardener Callae Gedrose specializes in beautiful “living landscapes” that conserve water, nurture pollinators, and support healthy soil. Visit honeywoodgardendesign.com to learn more.
VISIT YOUR LOCAL GARDEN: SummerHome Garden
Lisa Negri created a public pocket garden that incorporates an impressive array of drought-tolerant plants and habitats for bees, butterflies, and other insects. To explore all the ways SummerHome Garden supports our local ecosystem, check out summerhomegarden.com.
JOIN YOUR NEIGHBORS:
Wash Park East Neighborhood Association (WPENA) Blooms and Buzz Garden Tour
June 6 from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Get inspired by some of the neighborhood’s most inspiring outdoor spaces. Visit wpena.org for tickets and the full tour map.
LEARN MORE AND GET INVOLVED:
Wild Ones, Front Range Chapter
This nonprofit offers a variety of user-friendly resources, guides, and opportunities for hands-on learning to anyone interested in making a difference through Coloradoscaping. Sign up for their newsletter and find out how you can help at frontrange.wildones.org.
An above-ground
“We often talk to people at events who rent or live in apartments and don’t have their own lawn or garden. They might only have a balcony, but they’re still interested in making a difference,” Schmit says. “There’s a lot you can do with container gardening at a small scale.”
Every native plant that goes into the ground (or in potted soil on a balcony) provides an increment of ecological improvement, especially for pollinators and insects that other animals rely on for nourishment. Schmit highlights black-capped chickadee birds as her favorite example of this interdependence. “A clutch of chickadees requires 9,000 caterpillars to survive from birth until they’re ready to leave the nest,” she says. “It’s those caterpillars that form such a powerful food source for our local ecosystems— and we need the right plants to feed those caterpillars.” Furthermore, native
plants generally don’t require fertilizer, making a Coloradoscaped garden safer for people, pets, wildlife, and the water we all need to survive.
Coloradoscaping has benefits on both micro and macro levels. Beyond water conservation and supporting biodiversity, the root systems of certain native plants are also vital for carbon storage, which acts as a natural defense against man-made greenhouse gases. Compared to Kentucky Bluegrass, which many associate with traditional lawns and has “tiny” roots, maybe four inches deep, the roots of native prairie plants can grow to be 25 or 30 feet long. “In addition to helping the plants remain robust in the face of drought, studies indicate that an intact prairie ecosystem sequesters as much carbon as an equivalent land area of forest,” Schmit says, “and puts it all in the
ground’s subsurface.”
While gardeners such as Gedrose, Negri, and Schmit have been regenerative landscaping advocates for years, it’s reassuring that Denver’s decision-makers are finally catching up, and not a moment too soon. In the fight against climate change, Coloradoscaping is a force to be reckoned with—one that anyone can harness for the greater, greener good. For those not quite ready to get their hands dirty, the Wash Park East Neighborhood Association (WPENA) will revive its Blooms and Buzz garden tour on June 6th for the Coloradoscaping-curious, including a stop at SummerHome Garden and Wash Park’s very own Pollinator Corridor.
Emilie Trice is the local editor of MyDenver as well as an arts writer and curator with a passion for the outdoors.
Ditch the screen and meet these creatives
IRL at a summer market near you.
BY EMILIE TRICE
DDENVER HAS A vibrant artisan scene yearround, but the summer market season is when our city’s creatives really shine. Shopping locally, direct from the makers themselves, has multiple benefits—more money goes back into the local economy, and investing in the creative class supports a diverse and engaging regional culture. Many local makers are also advocates for sustainable lifestyles by transforming salvaged materials, such as shards of broken glass, into unique works of art or by reconfiguring vintage fashions into contemporary designs.
Ahead of Market in the Park-et’s return to Wash Park, we caught up with two of our favorite makers.
After studying architecture, Anthony Adamsky founded his business, Adam Sky Glass, five years ago. He’d been working as an architectural draftsman but quickly realized
that spending hours in front of a screen wasn’t his calling. “I saw that all of the principal architects sit behind a computer from nine to five,” he explains. “And yes, you get to do some job site visits. Yes, you get to physically see a building that you designed, but 99% of your job is all digital, and I like to build things with my hands.”
Adamsky found a kindred spirit in Frank Lloyd Wright, known for modernist structures like the iconic Fallingwater home, for which the storied architect designed everything, from the furniture to the doorknobs to the stained-glass windows. “My aesthetic is very inspired by Art Deco, and Frank Lloyd Wright got me intrigued by the glass world. When I started working with glass, it just kind of clicked with my brain; I realized, this is my art form.”
Adamsky started small, making holiday ornaments and other decorative trinkets. Once he began selling his stained-glass pieces at markets, he quickly found success and graduated to large-scale, site-specific commissions and public art projects.
“It’s just so magical to be able to transform a space in somebody’s house,” he says. Upon meeting a local couple at Market in the Park-et last year, Adamsky was commissioned to create two “sister” Cathedral-style stained-glass windows for their Wash Park home. He customized the design to suit his client’s style, and his windows were ultimately given pride of place on either side of the living room mantel, providing a pop of color in their otherwise minimalist interior and allowing ethereal reflections to spill into the room and dance across the space.
Recently, Adamsky has been exploring furniture design, creating hybrid objects such as elegant wooden desks with built-in stainedglass lighting fixtures. He also created
a six-foot-tall lamp that resembles an abstracted cactus, blending linear Art Deco aesthetics with organic forms found in nature. It’s a fitting direction for Adamsky, who points out that glass is eco-friendly because it’s inherently recyclable.
“Glass can always be melted down in a kiln and remade into something new,” he says. “I try to use every bit of my scraps, so I’ll make little tiny earrings or wind chimes out of shards or repurpose broken bits into larger sculptural works.”
While Adamsky is a solopreneur, he says that artists in the Denver glass community actively support
each other’s successes. “Everyone has such a unique style, but we all view a win for one of us as a win for all because it’s a historic art form that we’re all working to revive.” To that end, Adamsky also leads workshops for beginners, raising awareness and fostering appreciation for the process behind the artistry. “I just love to spread the joy of glass,” he says with a megawatt smile.
Heather Golightly started sewing when she was just a girl. “My mom wouldn’t buy me clothes from the store that I wanted, like bell-bottoms,
so I just made them myself. It was very utilitarian at the very beginning,” she explains. “But as I got older, I also wanted to alter things so they would fit me better.”
After moving to New Orleans, Golightly found a niche in creating elaborate costumes for festivals such as Mardi Gras. She also worked for an interior designer, reupholstering furniture, making drapery and pillows, everything for the home. “I was a seamstress for a designer for a little while, too, doing vintage upcycling for her,” she says. Whenever Golightly wore her own creations out in public, she felt energized, magnetic. “People would always come up and ask me where I got something, and it felt great to say, ‘Actually, I made this myself.’”
Golightly moved to Denver two years ago and has been steadily building her brand, Psychonaut Stitches. Everything she creates is unique. “I always strive for 100% authenticity,” Golightly says. Staying true to form in the “copy-paste” era is difficult, especially as AI becomes more and more ubiquitous. “Trying to harness individuality in the digital age and monetize it feels disingenuous to me,” she explains; it’s why she prefers artisan markets and in-person events over e-commerce.
Golightly believes in the power of craftsmanship. Moreover, the generational stories woven into each vintage and pre-loved garment she incorporates into her work add an extra layer of meaning. “My customers appreciate how much work and history go into everything I create, and there’s a sense of participation in the process,” Golightly says. “They know that there’s a human element to self-expression, to fashion and art, and a 3 a.m. binge purchase on some fast fashion website will never give them the same feeling.”
As a matter of ethics, Golightly doesn’t compromise on her core principles. “I don’t want to buy cheap fabric from China, or patterns generated by AI,”
she states. “For me, every action towards the end product is imbued with my authenticity and everyone who came before, and I don’t ever want to say that this piece of clothing was touched by something other than my human hands, with my inspiration, with the muses by my side.” As her clientele expands, Golightly is trusting the process and building community along the way.
Golightly keeps a low internet profile, but you can follow her brand on Instagram at @psychonautstitches. To learn more about Anthony Adamsky, visit adamskyglass.com. Or just head to Market in the Park-et at Wash Park this month to meet them in person, because buying local never goes out of style.
Girls Inc. of Metro Denver is forging new paths and building a brighter future.
IIT’S A BEAUTIFUL spring day, and the Girls Inc. of Metro Denver(GIMD) headquarters, known as the center, is buzzing with activity. In the center’s backyard, a group of girls plants a tree in honor of Earth Day, next to the playground they helped design. Inside, a 3D printer and other STEM supplies are carefully arranged in an upstairs room, but there are also bean bags, art installations, and cafe lights hung throughout the building, creating an environment that’s not only intellectually stimulating but also warm and welcoming. Sounds of laughter and excitement reverberate throughout the building.
BY MYDENVER STAFF
Established in 1983, the local chapter of Girls Inc. currently reaches more than 3,000 girls within the Denver metro area. The national organization was founded in 1864, making it the longestrunning leadership program for girls in North America. Today, Girls Inc. has 75 affiliates across the United States and Canada, empowering tens of thousands of girls from kindergarten to college. The Girls Inc. prides itself on inspiring girls to become strong, smart, and bold—the three pillars of its mission and curriculum, which encompasses physical fitness, mental health, educational enrichment, and building leadership skills.
Catalyst for Girls Award Winners
MyDenver celebrates these local all-stars, who are making a difference in the lives of local girls.
Community Catalyst for Girls: The Colorado Trust
Corporate Catalyst for Girls:
This past May, Denver’s business and community leaders converged at My Bold Future luncheon in celebration of Girls Inc.’s 2026 scholars, who were collectively awarded $117,000 in scholarships for their post-secondary education. “I know from experience how important scholarships are,” Girls Inc.’s Vice President of Development Haley Shilts says. “I remember waiting to hear if I got a college scholarship, and my name was called last. It was nerve-wracking, but when I heard my name, I knew my future was secured.” After graduating from college and building her career in the nonprofit sector, Shilts is now helping other girls achieve their own success—meaningful, satisfying work with a quantifiable impact.
Shilts highlights that 89% of GIMD participants believe that girls like them can become leaders, and 90% believe they can make a positive difference in their communities. “I am living proof of what happens when a young girl is supported, believed in, and given a chance,” says Ganete Alemseged, Girls Inc. and TraciJim College Scholar. “I am who I am because Girls Inc. chose to pour into me.“ Alemseged, who plans to pursue a career in law, recently graduated from Howard University and is working for the U.S. Department of Justice as a litigation paralegal.
Girls Inc. also provides critical services such as transportation to and from afterschool programs, hot meals, SAT prep, long-distance travel to visit colleges in cities like Chicago and New York, and internship opportunities with local companies. Both last year and the year before, all of the senior girls affiliated with the organization’s scholar program graduated from high school and went on to college. Beyond scholarships, the organization also offers guidance with the college application process, FAFSA, and any other bureaucratic paperwork that can seem overwhelming, especially as a first-generation college student.
as a litigation paralegal for the U.S. Department of Justice.
“To all the young girls out there who dream of a future in STEM, don’t be afraid to follow your passion. Embrace your curiosity, grab the stethoscope, and never stop chasing your dreams.” - Anastacia Gundrum, Girls Inc. of Metro DenverEureka! Participant and TraciJim STEM Scholar will be attending Colorado State University and plans to become an orthopedic surgeon.
The internships that Girls Inc. facilitates are vital to their students’ professional development, offering exposure to a variety of industries.
In recent years, dozens of teen girls have gone through career exploration programs and summer internships with corporations such as Leprino Foods, the world’s largest producer of mozzarella cheese, founded and headquartered right here in Denver.
“Every year, Leprino hosts four interns from our Eureka STEM program,” Shilts says. “We’ve been partnering with them for going on ten years. Leprino gives them hands-on experience working for the company, and then they also host a field trip for the younger girls who are just starting the program, to give them a taste of working in food science.”
Shilts is optimistic about the organization’s future. “We’re looking to grow substantially,” she says. “We’re very excited to open a satellite location on the Clayton Early Learning campus this fall.”
Girls Inc.’s centers each provide a safe “third” space where girls can develop friendships and important interpersonal skills, away from social media.
Studies have shown that social media disproportionately affects the mental health of teen girls “more negatively than that of teen boys,” and can be linked to depression, low self-esteem, eating disorders, and disturbances in sleep patterns. Shilts testifies to the “heartwarming friendships” she’s seen blossom within the Girls Inc. network, relationships that last a lifetime.
It’s ironic that, as we all spend more time online, seemingly connected through apps and comments and
likes, many are also feeling more disconnected from their peers than ever before. This sense of isolation makes developing the interpersonal skills that buoy both friendships and careers increasingly difficult to learn, practice, or even observe, which is why the in-person support that Girls Inc. provides is so valuable. Girls Inc. takes a holistic approach to early childhood and adolescent development, empowering every girl to flourish as an individual and as part of a larger sisterhood—so they can all grow up healthy, resilient, and ready to take on the world.
Girls Inc. of Metro Denver is always looking for volunteers, donors, mentors, and professionals willing to lend their expertise or create internship opportunities. Visit girlsincdenver.org to find out all the ways you can support the cause.
KGA’s approach to architecture is music to our ears.
BY MYDENVER STAFF
DENVER’S URBAN landscape is defined by its architectural variety. An eclectic mix of historical and modern styles, structural forms, and aesthetic leanings co-exist within our city limits. Over time, tastes and lifestyles change, whether in response to new tech (remember landlines?), shifting priorities, or development codes handed down from on high.
Travis Hendrix is an associate principal at KGA Studio Architects, a nationally recognized architectural firm specializing in residential design, and understands the evolution of Denver’s built environment better than most. A Denver native and CU Denver graduate, he’s Vice President of the executive board of the Metro Housing Coalition and a board member of both the Custom Builder and Remodeler Council and the Home Builders Association of Metro Denver.
“When you’re buying a house that was built 100 years ago, there’s probably not a modern-sized kitchen, or the living space might be sectioned into smaller rooms, or the bedrooms don’t have any closets,” Hendrix explains. “Usually, when people choose to remodel—or completely rebuild—it’s about achieving a desired quality of life while meeting a certain amenity level.”
There’s a saying that ‘the only constant is change,’ but when storied neighborhoods become unrecognizable, that adage can feel like an albatross. KGA understands the importance of bridging preservation and innovation, past and future. “We do a lot of work that’s rooted in history and traditional architecture,” Hendrix says. “That same logic also applies when we take on a project that’s contemporary or very modern—we always want to create an appropriate balance.”
An intentional harmony underscores each of KGA’s projects. “Architecture and music are similar in a lot of ways; they’re both all about composition,” Hendrix explains. “Architecture reminds me of a symphony because architects, like conductors, are coordinating so many different instruments, materials, and timelines at once.”
Denver’s architectural profile speaks to the city’s unique history and how the U.S. matured west of the Mississippi. “Dever’s growth was influenced by the railroad,” Hendrix says, “So, you get a mix of Sears houses that were just flatbed shipped out here and built. Then there were people building around the Victorian era. Denver also has Art Nouveau and Art Deco influences.” The Mile High City’s location in the middle of the nation resulted in transplants arriving from the East Coast, the West Coast, and from the south, so its urban landscape incorporates elements from each of those regions. The post-WWII era saw a surge in suburban growth, spurred by Denver’s abundance of undeveloped land, but focus shifted back to the city in the 2000s.
Our city’s culture and our history are
embedded in the built environment. “We have this pioneer spirit of pursuing growth and moving forward and getting things done, but part of that is also making a place for everybody,” Hendrix asserts. “If we don’t do that correctly, we’ll end up in this inverse where only a certain few can afford anything. On the other hand, there’s a sterility that comes with just cutting and pasting stuff around town.”
Denver is still in the process of finding that equilibrium. “Holistically, the ideals of the Wild West have been to own your own land and be able to carve out a place for yourself in the world,” Hendrix says, “In the wake of Denver’s recent growth, I fear we’re starting to lose that a little bit.”
KGA is client-oriented, large enough to devote the proper resources to each project, but also small enough to offer a boutique, hands-on experience. Their motto encompasses this philosophy: “the best design is the one that serves the client.” The firm also always “designs for the land.” Hendrix clarifies that, “When we’re doing a mountain property in the middle of open acreage, for example, we look at how the home sits into the hillside
and what the relationships are to certain views. In the city, the topography of the urban landscape around the project influences our designs as well. If a client wants to do something really ambitious, we’ll work with them to decide how to best realize their vision while still respecting the neighborhood.”
A recent project in Wash Park exemplifies this approach. Inspired by the provincial French tradition and remodeled for the contemporary urban family, the home marries aesthetics and amenities, while responding to the natural rhythm of its neighborhood. “I’m highly aware of how neuroscience and architecture inform each other,” Hendrix says. “Humans are built to look for certain patterns, and we feel good when we see things arranged in specific ways.”
Designing for that harmonious balance is KGA’s forte. “We have a really vibrant and eclectic architectural environment in Denver, that’s for sure,” Hendrix says. “And there’s also a lot of neighborhood pride.” By honoring the long-standing aesthetic of a locale while also building for the way we live now, KGA’s work promises to resonate for generations to come.
June is the month we reach for stories that transport us—books that feel like the first warm day with the window open and nowhere to be.
BY PAIGE DUNGAN
THERE’S SOMETHING ABOUT the turn into summer that resets the reading appetite. The days stretch long, the pace shifts, and suddenly you want a book that earns your full attention—or one that asks for almost none of it and delivers everything anyway. The best June reads do one of two things: They pull you so completely out of your own life that you surface two hours later blinking, or they hold up a mirror so clear you have to put them down and sit with what you’ve just seen.
This month, we’re recommending four titles we can’t stop thinking about—ranging from a tender time-travel love story to a rallying cry for everyone who ever fell in love with a book as a child.
by Matt Haig
For fans of “The Midnight Library,” Haig returns to the same magical world with another soul-stirring novel. When 81-year-old bookseller Wilbur dies moments after a call from his ex-wife, he finds himself aboard a mysterious steam train traveling back through the defining moments of his life. Part love story, part meditation on regret—if you could go back, where would you stop?
by Sarah Morgan
Evie Hamilton is trying to restore a crumbling Cornish hotel to its former glory when Abby Jones arrives from the parent company for the summer—and might be exactly what Evie needs. Except Abby has a hidden agenda that could unravel everything. Warm, propulsive, and set against a coastal backdrop that makes you want to book a flight immediately.
by Kendra Langford Shaw
The kind of debut with a premise so singular you have to read it twice before it sinks in. The Spahr family scrapes by on an Arctic fjord accessible only by kayak and floatplane—until a neighbor unearths a centuries-old piano from the original homesteading expedition, when every family was required to haul a 600-pound instrument as proof of civilization. When the antique becomes a collector’s goldmine, the Spahrs throw themselves headlong into the boom. Wild, original, and completely unlike anything else you’ll read this summer.
by Mac Barnett
For every reader who has ever pressed a favorite childhood book into someone’s hands and said you have to read this. The current U.S. National Ambassador for Young People’s Literature makes the case for children’s books as a serious art form—and as a portal into the lives of the young people who read them—with humor, precision, and genuine reverence for the craft. This is a book about books. It will make you want to read everything.
These titles are waiting for you at 1413 Larimer Street. Come find your next favorite read, stay awhile, and let us help you choose. That’s what we’re here for.
With love from the shelves, Little Blue Pigeon Books
Paige Dungan is the founder of Little Blue Pigeon Books, which celebrated its grand opening in Larimer Square this past spring.
A Cherry Creek musician and singer/songwriter shares how his Sundays have evolved over the years.
BY BERNIE CLARKE
FOR 44 YEARS, my Sundays did not belong to me. My weekends, especially Sundays, belonged to the Denver real estate market. As a residential broker, I represented hundreds of sellers and buyers, worked open houses, and helped my clients move forward with their busy lives. I literally learned every block and alley throughout Central Denver. If you’re reading this, I know your house, or, at the very least, your front yard. It was a rewarding full-time profession, but that lengthy, colorful detour is now behind me.
In 1964, I was awe-struck watching The Beatles perform on “The Ed Sullivan Show,” possibly the most memorable Sunday of my life. Their creative songwriting, harmonies, and energy were inspiring. I formed a band, The Intruders, with some grade-school pals. After we lost a couple of band members due to poor grades, we became The Hitch-Hikers. We played high school dances, teen clubs, and backyard parties. We could really “bring it,” and we did. It was a joyous time.
time to pursue my dreams. Since then, my writing has been recognized by The Literature Program for the National Endowment for the Arts and The Western States Arts Foundation.
Following college in Boulder, I continued playing my guitar and focusing on songwriting. I worked solo in clubs in Colorado’s ski towns, but my heart belonged to music. In 1974, I composed a musical play called “Bits of Junk.” This show was produced by Bonfils Theatre, a Division of the Denver Center for the Performing Arts, and, subsequently, The Arvada Festival Playhouse. The reviews in the local papers were flattering and favorable. However, my most cherished remarks were found in a letter sent from Pulitzer Prize winner Mary Chase. She attended a production one evening and graciously invited me into her home in the Denver Country Club neighborhood for tea and conversation. She wrote that my work was “heartwarming and charming.” Fortunately, my big break came in 1975. I married a wonderful woman radiating beauty, kindness, and, most importantly, patience. She became a middle school math teacher for the Cherry Creek Schools. Her “regular” job afforded me
In 1979, my wife, Janel, had our first child, Katie Maureen. It was now my turn to get a “regular” job. I took the required real estate courses and the state licensing exam, thinking I’d give it my best shot for six months. I came out of the box “hot” and never looked back—44 years and two wonderful kids later, I happily closed my final sale.
That’s my backstory. Now, on Sundays, I seem to have come full circle. I play my guitar, composing songs in the basement of our Cherry Creek townhome. Recently, I’ve written a new musical, titled “America.” The show offers 22 engaging original tunes, a cast of eight, and a run-time of 90 minutes. I am optimistically searching for an adventurous theatre to launch this heartfelt endeavor and the opportunity to “give up” my Sundays once again.
Singer/songwriter Bernie Clarke currently has over 200 songs streaming online (just ask Siri or Alexa to play music by Bernie and the Boomers). His music is regularly played on K4CO Radio and has been described by The Denver Post as “Chris Isaak meets the ghost of Roy Orbison.”
