02 17 FOR RITA, A RAKE WAS THE ROAD HOME - PROGRAM OFFERS CITY'S HOMELESS HOPE THROUGH WORK
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By Lucy Graca Rita Robledo’s luck ran out sometime around 1979. That’s when things got really tough, although some folks might say her luck ran out at birth. When she was 10, a nurse found marks of abuse on her body, and from then on, her childhood consisted of foster and group homes. She can’t remember how many. The memories are clearly painful for this petite, 54 year-old grandmother of four. “I was never able to go back home. I didn’t want to go back home,” she says, tears spilling from her soft, brown eyes. “I knew if I went back home, I would have died. My dad would have killed me.” The abuse continued in adulthood, when a man she lived with “exploded one night and said he was going to kill me. When he went downstairs to get a knife, that’s when I broke for the door.” She only took her two little dogs, Tonto and Sugar, with her. Police found her a place at a shelter, but she couldn’t keep her dogs there, so she lived for “a couple of years in a little shack” in Longmont until the owner forced her to leave. She says she was fully homeless, living on the streets, for about four years. During that time, her only friends were Tonto and Sugar. “I see people now who are homeless and they have their dogs. It just breaks my heart. It’s hard on animals. It’s hard on people! I’ve eaten
James Manning was a union iron worker and says the pay from the Denver Day Works Program is helping him get the tools he needs to get back into the industry. Photo by Sara Hertwig. out of trashcans and stuff. But, mostly, I just tried to keep us safe,” Rita says. On the streets, she felt that the way to stay safe was to avoid people—especially men—as much as possible. Her homelessness and a run-in with the law kept her from finding an employer who would take a chance on her. Then, last November, Rita heard a new program, Denver Day Works, was being piloted through Denver’s Road Home. Rita signed up on the first day, Nov. 1, to rake leaves two days a week in Civic Center Park, overcoming her fear of being the only woman there.
“I think I might have raked up all the leaves in that whole park!” she laughs. Later, she found a friend to work with, Jimmy (not his real name), who “wouldn’t let the other guys bother me.” Denver Day Works is a $400,000 pilot program which describes itself as providing “homeless people with a low to no-barrier work experience.” To this end, several days a week, Denver Human Services professionals interview homeless individuals at Civic Center Park, then refer likely participants to a onecontinued on page 10
GILPIN MONTESSORI PARENTS, COMMUNITY MEMBERS CONTINUE TO FIGHT CLOSURE; ACTIONS PLANNED INTO FEBRUARY By Haines Eason Parents and community members fighting the Dec. 15 closure of Gilpin Montessori by Denver Public Schools (DPS) continued their activities through January, and other actions are now planned into February. On Jan. 10, these parents and community members invited DPS Board members Anne Rowe (Board President), Barbara O’Brien (at-large member) and Rachele Espiritu (District 4) to Gilpin for an after-school meeting to discuss the parents’ and community members’ concerns. Those con-
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cerns are centered around the Dec. 9 release of a School Quality Review (SQR) performed by third-party school ratings provider SchoolWorks of Beverly, Massachusetts on Nov. 9 and 10. In its initial review, Gilpin scored a 25, a score which should have allowed the school to remain open. Between that original review and the finalized version, Gilpin’s score was adjusted to a 24, and one criteria was adjusted to a “1”; both outcomes are grounds for closure under the 2015 DPS School Performance Compact. To date, DPS staff still claim the adjustment was made solely by SchoolWorks, though emails obtained
Welcome to the Looking closer at pot in revolution. Publisher Jill the Neighborhood Life Farschman reflects. area. PAGE 2
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by the Gilpin parents and community members and shared with Neighborhood Life, indicate an exchange between DPS and SchoolWorks regarding the changing of the score to a 24 took place on and before Dec. 1. In that exchange, SchoolWorks employee Sarah Rapa writes to DPS Director of Strategic Support and Accountability Maya Lagana, “[a]ll factual corrections have been received,” and Rapa indicates, due to the receipt of these factual corrections, “one rating-KQ3 went from a 2 to a 1 continued on page 11
Black History Month at the Black American West Musuem.
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PUBLISHER Editor's note: this story includes profanity. Publisher Jill Farschman Creative Director Jay Farschman Editor Haines Eason Associate Editor Jason McKinney Advertising Jill Farschman Steve Koehler Alecia Stark Photographer Sara Hertwig Writers Albus Brooks · Haines Eason Jill Farschman · Linda Katchen, Ph.D. Lucy Graca · Stacey McDole Jason McKinney · J.L. Schultheis Price Caroline Schomp · Jennifer Turner
EDITORIAL editor@denvermetromedia.com Press releases, calendar listings, story ideas, news tips due by January 18th for the February issue, published the first Wednesday of each month.
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Personal Reflections on the Women’s March By Jill Farschman
I am old enough to remember a few other waves of feminism. Old enough to recall that before she became a leader in the women’s rights and social justice movements, Gloria Steinem was a Playboy Bunny. Yes, kids, we used to think of that magazine as porn. Arriving at the state capitol building just before 9:00 in the morning, I was struck by the number of people already present. All stripes, ages and genders were represented. Kids in strollers pushed by young couples, groups of teens, extended family members, elders. Honestly, the diversity surprised me. Lewd, humorous, vitriolic and clever homemade signs abounded. Selected examples: “Make America Think Again,” an obvious take on Trump’s “Make America Great Again” campaign slogan. Variations on “Respect my existence or expect my resistance.” “I’m with Her” borrowed from Hillary Clinton’s campaign, except showing arrows in all directions. “I can’t believe we’re still fighting this shit” or similar versions. “I’m not really a sign-making kind of guy, but for fuck’s sake!” There was call and response chanting “What does democracy look like? This is what democracy looks like.” “Hey, hey, here, here. Immigrants are welcome here.” Lots of pink “pussy hats” and references to female genitalia as a source of power rather than derision or weakness. There were numerous effigies of Trump with many references to his small
hands and orange pallor. Apparently such personal attacks have replaced critical thinking and thoughtful public discourse. Maybe that’s what happens to a society when sexual assault and penis size become acceptable topics during a presidential campaign. Although branded as “Women’s March on Denver” those present clearly represented a range of causes, origins and locales. Most causes were subsets of the progressive agenda being systematically dismantled by Trump’s administration. Climate change, immigration, Affordable Healthcare Act, religious freedom, free press and social justice were the strongest themes mixed in with vehement support for women’s equality and reproductive rights. The malevolence towards the current administration cannot be overstated. One thing was crystal clear, the audience was chock-full of Trump haters. The actual marching was supposed to start at 9:30, but we didn’t begin walking until almost 11:00 purportedly because the number of marchers was so great it actually doubled back on itself, creating gridlock. Final numbers vary, but Denver organizers expected 40,000
whereas the actual number reportedly exceeded 100,000. While our amended constitution protects citizens’ rights to free speech, peaceable assembly and free press, be reminded it still doesn’t guarantee equal rights for women. The “Equal Rights Amendment” proposed in 1972, expired unratified in 1982. This proposed amendment to Article 3 of the constitution, was simply worded as “Section. 1. Equality of rights under the law shall not be denied or abridged by the United States or by any State on account of sex.” Women only gained the right to vote in 1920 after years of painful struggle featuring violence and incarceration. So, I have lingering questions: will protests like Women’s March continue, grow or dissipate over time? Was this march a bucket list item (participate in a women’s rights march, check!) or indicative of a sustainable social movement? Perhaps the actual end game should be about more than just abhorrence of Trump and everything he stands for. Perhaps the result could be equal rights regardless of sex finally being codified in our constitution.
A sea of signs at the Colorado Capitol Building. Photo by Sara Hertwig.
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priorities, the Denver City Council has established a top tier of issues on which to focus investments and spending priorities in the city’s 2018 budget, which are:
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Denver City Council’s Policy and Budget Vision By Albus Brooks
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The City and County of Denver is vibrant and thriving—ranked number one on U.S. News & World Report’s inaugural Best Places to Live rankings for its value, strong job market and high quality of life. Along with this success comes growth, and with that, some challenges. On Friday, Jan. 13, the Denver City Council held its annual policy planning and budget retreat, establishing key citywide priorities to focus on during the year. The four working groups established in 2016—Mobility & Transportation; Sidewalk Working Group; Housing & Homelessness; and Economic & Workforce Development—will continue into 2017 and develop individualized work plans that outline goals and action items to achieve by year-end. New in 2017 is an ad-hoc working group on Urban Design & Beautification. In conjunction with these policy
MOBILITY The Denver City Council deems it important to address the needs of a growing city through multimodal solutions and prioritizing convenience, affordability and safety. Therefore, the Council will be exploring opportunities for citywide mobility improvements in: Infrastructure - Sidewalks—repair and maintenance; better enforcement of existing maintenance issues; and the potential of establishing a fund to assist homeowners to maintain and repair existing walkways and to buildout missing sidewalks. - Fully fund the recommendations from the Mayor’s Mobility Task Force. - Pave all remaining, eligible unpaved alleys (public and undedicated). - Increase the annual paving of arterial lane miles. - Fully build out the Denver Moves bicycle plan. Transit Systems
- Establish a Denver Office of Mobility whose primary mission is to analyze present and future innovative transit solutions and promote and/or provide convenient, inexpensive transit to underserved areas of Denver by partnering with public and private transit providers. Develop a specific annual revenue stream for transportation and transit that fits within the long-range financial plan for Denver. Bike Safety and Vision Zero - Improve access and safety, especially around schools and parks, including crossing improvements with enhanced signage, flashing beacons and visible stripping. - Launch awareness campaign and improve signage for bicycle and pedestrian safety.
HOUSING AND HOMELESSNESS - Increase the size of the Affordable Housing Fund. - Increase funding for drug treatment and mental health services. - Reduce homeless deaths, citywide.
SOLID WASTE continued on page 9
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LETTERS In response to the January Letter to the Editor regarding homelessness: The letter to the editor regarding homelessness is thoughtful and empathetic, but lacking insightful perspective and realistic solutions. Absent its negative connotation, gentrification is a dynamic process of turnover that benefits communities. Properties that languished in disrepair are suddenly fixed and improved, low-income residents are encouraged to improve their economic conditions through job training and seeking employment with higher pay. Rising housing costs can actually be a positive for those who own the properties. For those who rent, a cogent solution is available via a city council ordinance for temporary (3-5 year) rent control. Your comments on loss of pension benefits and health care coverage are questionable and probably cannot be supported by valid data. You pose the question that homeless citizens “…should move along to where?” Actually, they should move back to where they came from. It’s no secret that a lot of them came to Denver for the pot. They can smoke weed without getting arrested, and they commit crimes to acquire the money to pay for
it. They have no incentive for self-improvement and the consumption of marijuana makes them feel, “hey dude, we don’t care”. Your comments on homeless shelters do not elicit much sympathy. Sleeping on a mat in a warm shelter is certainly better than sleeping under a viaduct in the cold. Disease transmission in a shelter? How about passing around a joint? And what about the disease foisted upon the public by urination and defecation in public places and private properties, such as business vestibules? Couples can’t sleep together and transgender folks lack services. If we don’t have enough money to support services for normal folks, can we justify sexpenses for aberrant conduct and for those who comprise less than one percent of the population? As for those with alcohol and drug problems, they should be in treatment facilities, not in shelters. Your comment about religious shelters imposing beliefs on the homeless is beyond the pale. A little religion for these people couldn’t hurt. It might actually help them realize that there is more to life than self-indulgence and harmful behavior. It would be better to express a little appreciation to those who do the work of God and community. Most people would be glad to chip in for suitable housing at taxpayer expense, if there’s hope of betterment for the community and the supported residents—meaning an end to camping on the streets and making attempts to
MORE REVENUE, CUSTOMER CONVENIENCE BEHIND PUSH TO EXTEND MARIJUANA HOURS By Caroline Schomp The first salvo in a battle to lengthen the hours at Denver’s marijuana retailers and dispensaries has been fired. There’s no formal proposal yet, but the Denver City Council Special Issues Marijuana committee is hearing from the cannabis industry that the city’s 7p.m. closing time means that Denver is losing a lot of money. Kristi Kelly, representing The Marijuana Industry Group (MIG), a cannabis trade association, said a survey of cannabis sellers outside of Denver showed “they do receive a portion of their sales from consumer outside their communities … The revenue Denver could realize is hemorrhaging into other communities.” Aurora and Commerce City allow sales until 10p.m., while
Glendale and Edgewater permit sales until midnight. Kelly said Denver could realize as much as 25 percent more revenue if Denver’s 450-plus marijuana sales locations were allowed to stay open until 12a.m. Marijuana revenues in 2015 amounted to $29.5 million from taxes and licensing fees. Tiffany Goldman, owner of Uptown’s The Health Center, said that convenience and good customer service are driving the effort. “Adjusting schedules is sometimes very difficult,” Goldman said. Getting to the cannabis store or medical marijuana dispensary before 7p.m. is a problem for many customers. Denver voters passed Initiative 300 in November, allowing social consumption of marijuana in licensed busi-
MCCANN, DENVER'S NEW DA, PLANS EARLY AGENDA By Jennifer Turner On Jan. 10, Beth McCann took over as Denver’s new District Attorney and is the first woman in the city’s history to hold the position. She replaced Mitch Morrissey, who served for 12 years. McCann decisively defeated Chief Deputy District Attorney Helen Morgan and received 74 percent of the vote. Morgan, who ran as an independent, has been invited to stay at the DA’s office. U.S. Representative and Chief Minority Whip, Diana DeGette, has known McCann for 25 years and said, “I
appreciate Beth’s sharp mind and commitment to strengthening our community. She is just the right person to take on the steep challenges facing Denver’s criminal justice system.” A top priority for McCann is juvenile justice. She wants to expand the restorative justice concept, which is a system that focuses on the rehabilitation of offenders through reconciliation with victims and the community at large. In order to help facilitate change, continued on page 8
become productive citizens who might pay back the gracious citizens. Unfortunately, the experience of cities like San Francisco says otherwise. The misguided attitudes of well-meaning, charitable citizens in that once-elegant city have made it an abominable place to live. Having been identified as hospitable to the homeless, they kept coming from all corners of the country and turned the inner city into a veritable outhouse, occupied by bums, vagrants, purse-snatchers and aggressive panhandlers. Rather than ending the camping ban, we should tell the mayor and city council to visit the outhouse of the West Coast to get a glimpse of what will happen in Denver if left up to those who are clueless. - Walt Heidenfelder _________________________________________ Dear Mr. Eason, I'm sure that your Editor's Note in the January edition was intended to be a balanced, healing attempt to bring community together, in spite of the election results. But you don't seem to understand that this country, and our communities, will never be the same as they were before a racist, misogynistic, homophobic, lying opportunist with absolutely no compassion for humanity was elected to our highest office. A person who supports the Russian government over our intelligence agencies and the best interests of the American
nesses. The industry considers getting extended hours to be an essential part of the equation. There are about a dozen marijuana stores and dispensaries in the Neighborhood Life distribution area, which covers the thriving Uptown and RiNo social scenes. Several businesses— ranging from bars to yoga studios and art galleries—likely will apply for licenses for “consumption areas.” Those businesses will not be allowed to sell cannabis. Since they expect to have more business in the evening, nearby marijuana stores with late hours would create cross-business opportunities, giving social users a place to buy marijuana they intend to consume. Kelly said, “back-alley transactions go away if there are legal sales outlets with late hours and dark storefronts become light, lowering the incidence of crime.” Kelly also said a five-hour extension to midnight would enable businesses to add more well paying jobs with benefits. District 9 Councilman Albus
people. I don't want to know my neighbors if they supported this despicable person for President. Because, if they did vote for him, they voted for the oppression of any person that is not a white, rich old man. These neighbors are racist, they are homophobic, they are misogynistic. They are the stuff that created Hitler's Germany. We now have three right wing generals in cabinet positions, his [Trump’s] children sitting in on security briefings while they do business with foreign countries, billionaires all, chomping at the bit to raid the government coffers the likes of which we've never seen, while they take away healthcare and security from the old, the poor, the young. Who is now paying for his "wall"? And who will get rich by building it? No surprises there. I can't go on because my heart is breaking. Therefore, I am deeply offended by your Editor's Note. Not for what it said, but for what it didn't say. The media had a great deal to do with the destruction we are now witnessing. Therefore, it is incumbent upon you, and your fellow journalists, to report the facts. And the facts are that any person that supported what is going on is not worth knowing. Self interest, on all fronts, is not a good way to run a country that used to be the land of opportunity.
- Gail Syke
Brooks said he hadn’t previously heard about the employment benefits that a midnight closing time would offer. “We deserve to open up this conversation and receive feedback from the community,” he said. The desire to end other communities’ competitive advantage was also a big incentive to consider later hours. District 10 Councilman Wayne New says he’s more concerned about how Initiative 300 is administered than about longer hours. At one dispensary in his district, “People drive in and drive out, but there isn’t the activity like you see at the bar next door… We just need to constantly watch what’s going on. Registered Neighborhood Organizations (RNOs) should have a real strong voice on whether a permit is going to be allowed.” The Department of Excise and Licensing has convened a Social Consumption Advisory Committee that includes both neighborhood and industry representatives to help it set rules and regulations.
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The second incarnation of Il Posto at 2601 Larimer features two levels of dining spaces and the eatery’s daily menu that captures whatever’s fresh today. While the footprint has doubled, the space achieves an intimate atmosphere I didn’t feel at the old spot. There’s also a patio in the works that will seat dozens of diners in warmer weather. The eatery sits on the corner of 26th Street and Larimer, between First Draft and Sushi-Rama. It’s also just half a block away from Frizzi’s second food venture, VERO, which is located at Denver Central Market. Il Posto means simply “the place” in Italian. Its kitchen is open, so guests can watch Frizzi oversee preparations of some mouthwatering northern Italian specialties. The menu changes daily to take advantage of the freshest ingredients. Frizzi calls it, “cooking in the present.” Local, organic produce and meats, plus fresh seafoods airlifted to our landlocked state daily fill the palate the kitchen draws from to create each day’s offerings. That means you could spot unique eats like octopus carpaccio on the menu or a white, sesame-crusted tuna with artichokes and kumquats. There are housemade pastas and a pair of daily risotto dishes, too. If you’re toting a huge appetite, Il Posto offers a three-pound Porterhouse steak for two. At $125, you’d also better be toting a fat wallet. One feature of his former City Park menu may not transfer to RiNo. I spied no veal ossobuco with risotto Milanese on the menu the first Wednesday he was open. It once was a Wednesday event on East 17th, with a huge following. “The moods of the menu change with the mood of the day,” Frizzi is fond of saying. “It can be a rainy day, sunny and dry, or windy, or snowing.
BUSINESS Photos and column by J.L. Schutheis Price
OPENINGS IL POSTO City Park’s loss is RiNo’s major gain. The popular northern Italian eatery Il Posto shut its doors on East 17th Avenue after New Year’s Eve and reopened at 2601 Larimer St. just 10 days later. That’s quite a stunning accomplishment. “It's the only way to do it!” insisted chef/owner Andrea Frizzi. Originally from Milan, Italy, Frizzi looks a bit weary these days, but he’s also clearly energized by his new address. He runs the entire show and is enjoying his title of Pope, as designated on each day’s menu. In addition to a cozy street level space featuring a cluster of high-back booths surrounded by individual tables and an enticing bar, Frizzi’s second incarnation of Il Posto features the most unusual light sculpture I’ve ever studied. It’s designed by Bocci of Vancouver and it will keep you looking up. Speaking of up, there’s a charming mezzanine level for dining, too, with ample views of RiNo and downtown. The eatery’s website promises a “truly cosmopolitan experience in a vibrant, hip space.” In all, the new restaurant footprint offers 3,500 sq ft of space geared toward your dining pleasure.
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A clean, fresh dining area populated with photos of Argentina provides a mental vacation for folks who seek out Lazo Empanadas at 1309 22nd St. We, as people, react differently with the weather (and so does our) food.” Initially, Il Posto opened for dinner only but the business plan includes adding lunch ASAP. It could already be a reality by the time this paper hits your hands. Dinner service begins at at 5:00p.m. daily and closing times vary throughout the week. Lunch will be a weekday affair beginning at 11:00a.m. The eatery’s number is 303-394-0100.
LAZO EMPANADAS If there’s no money in the budget to visit Argentina this year (boo!), you can always sample some authentic foods from that region at the new Lazo Empanadas restaurant, 22nd Street between Market and Larimer Streets. The name probably sounds vaguely familiar. Lazo has been making empanadas and selling them wholesale to many restaurants, hotels, breweries, schools and universities since 2015. This is their first brick and mortar restaurant, but it probably won’t be the last. Perhaps you sampled these individual pies at one of 220 farmers market events this past summer. Lazo was a feature at ones in Cherry Creek, Frisco and Stapleton, where visitors could sample their wares. “It was a wonderful way to reach the people and tell them what we do, and our passion for it,” said CEO François Saber. “We felt we had a tremendous support and acceptance for our brand and product.” Saber’s vision is to create a national market for Lazo, which already produces over 60,000 empanadas each month. Making the leap to retail is part of the brand expansion, he added. Argentinian cooking runs in the family. In 2012, brother, Christian, and wife, Karly, opened the popular Rincon Argentina empanada spot in Boulder. That influence also runs through the space at 1309 22nd St., which was home to Buenos Aires Pizza before Lazo took over the address. The interior has been totally remodeled to offer a clean, simple space with a wall of South American photos now anchoring the dining area. There are community tables and private ones if you’re eating in, but much of the business is likely to be grab ‘n’ go. “(Here) you can enjoy in a nice, clean and simple environment and drink a traditional Malbec or Argentinian beer with family and friends, or you can make pick ups, or order a delivery, request a
catering, etc.” Saber shows all the signs of a true perfectionist. He’s importing dough from his native land and cooking all empanadas fresh to order. Those two steps are key to the hand pies’ flaky crusts. He’s delighted to show off his new way to cook and serve fresh empanadas in less than four minutes. It’s something that he believes will always makes a difference in the final product. These fresh baked pies are shaped like a half circle and they come in meal or appetizer sizes. Meats and cheeses are the principal ingredients. “We use only the highest-quality, natural ingredients in our original recipes, which include beef steak, barbeque chicken, spicy chicken, ground beef, spinach with cheese, and our special chimichurri sauce,” Saber said. There’s also a bleu cheese and onion pie. You can buy boxes of their top selling flavors to go once you determine your favorite. At just $3.50 each or 3 for $10, the wide selection will tempt you to sample more than one. The menu also features salads and other meal options, but be sure to save some room for dessert. There’s flan, cheesecake and Argentinian pastries to tempt the strongest will. Lazo is the Spanish word for “a bond or tie”, Saber said, locking his fingers together in demonstration. That’s what he wants his products to create. A tight bond. “Between friends, between cultures,” he added. Saber is also building bonds to the future. After launching and learning from this flagship restaurant, the plan is to open more Denver locations to perfect the plan. Then, franchising is in the pipeline. The day I dropped in, Saber was meeting with some Houstonians seeking to take his concept to Texas, so Lazo could explode sooner rather than later. The wholesale operation is also expanding and Saber hopes to soon add grocery stores to the list of institutions distributing the product. Building the concept is a lengthy process that will take a number of years, but make no mistake; Saber believes the taste speaks for itself. He is confident that it will carry Lazo far into the future. In addition to dishing up a quick lunch or dinner, Lazo offers to cater special events like parties and weddings. A food truck is ready to hit the road upon request. “Don't miss it! (It’s) an inexpensive way to have all your friends happy,” he pledged.
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The company’s name, Hotbox Roasters CBD, references the coffee, beer and doughnuts that should put this place on the Denver eating scene map. In warm weather, there will be a small patio along 22nd Street at the new store. There’s also seating for several dozen indoors. Lazo is open daily at 11:00a.m. Friday-Saturday, they close at 10:00p.m. Closing time is 9:00p.m. Sunday-Thursday. The eatery’s number is 303-296-6710.
HOTBOX ROASTERS CBD At the northern end of Larimer Street, two new ventures debuted on January 19th. One is Hotbox Roasters CBD (HB) and the other is its sister burger joint. Both are part of the Oskar Blues Fooderies (OB) family. The CBD in HB’s name stands for its three founding pillars—coffee, beer and donuts. Yum. This is the first Hotbox brick and mortar shop, but HB first launched two years ago when Oskar Blues’ founder Dale Katechis started roasting and canning coffee beans. More on the can concept later. Katechis, of Dale’s Pale Ale fame, started to source premium fair-trade, single source coffee beans from micro farms around the world. Those beans are now roasted, then canned in 12 oz. packages in Longmont, CO. You may have spotted the cans at area Whole Foods stores. More retail distribution is in the pipeline. In addition to beans, Hotbox makes a mean, nitro cold brew coffee (also canned) and features coffee-infused beers, too. One often on tap is their coffee porter. Eats include a baker’s dozen of homemade donut flavors, fried hand pies, including one oozing with Nutella, and a sampling of breakfast sandwiches. Hours for this arm of the space are 7:00a.m.-6:00p.m. daily. It’s connected to a sister operation to the north, via a wide, common seating area that overlooks a generous patio space. At the other end of the hallway at 3490 Larimer St., you’ll spot the company’s companion eatery, CHUBurger.
CHUBURGER “Craft beer, fresh ingredients, live music and our family and friends,” has been Oskar Blues Fooderies’ (OB) mission since its first restaurant opened in Lyons, CO in 1997. Not bad for a list of core corporate values. Founder Dale Katechis hails from the South, so his pre-1997 restaurant experiences drew him to spaces where locals and visitors could mingle while
enjoying good food, cold beer and live tunes. Katechis was instrumental in launching the craft-beer-in-a-can craze in 2002 that has made Oskar Blues a wellknown name in the field. It was his firm belief that cans protect his craft brews better than bottles. Even OB’s coffee beans benefit from this technology. His original brewery and restaurant, anchored in Longmont, has expanded much over the past two decades, with Dale’s Pale Ale leading the way. There are three breweries around the nation today. Restaurant expansion became the next logical step and in RiNo, residents have been granted this ‘two-fer.’ “We couldn’t be more excited about bringing these two restaurants to Denver,” said chef/partner Jason Rogers. “Our first CHUBurger in Longmont has been a huge success, which led us to serving CHUBurgers at Coors Field in Denver. “At our new RiNo location, Denver fans can now get the greatest, tastiest, craftiest casual food they’ve had from any burger joint, all year long. Our guests will love Hotbox Roasters Café, too—because who wouldn’t dig a trifecta of coffee, beer and doughnuts, plus home-fried hand pies?” Rogers was quick to point out the broad range of proteins on the CHUBurger menu. The dedication to burgers extends far beyond a bunch of different toppings atop a beef patty. In addition to Angus beef, there’s the BUFFburger, made from local bison, an OMEGAburger of wild Coho salmon, with Greek yogurt tartar sauce and a pork patty layered with bleu cheese butter and bacon. Chicken, whitefish and garbanzo-based burgers beef up the options as well. Shakes and hand-cut fries, plus a number of salads, round out the menu. Rogers said the menu is nearly identical to the Longmont eatery’s, but he did add one salad offering to the Denver menu. Check out the OB ginger-infused ketchup, too. 30 beers welcome the thirsty at the bar. In that lengthy row of taps, you’ll find the full Oskar Blues repertoire, some OB pilot blends, plus crafts from other American breweries. Restaurant operations are handled by Katechis’ wife, Anita Gray and Rogers, who brings extensive experience in the kitchen to the OB team. His past credits include JW Marriott in Denver, the St. Julien in Aspen and Vail’s Cascade Hotel & Spa. The duo first introduced this con-
Oskar Blues brewery has launched its first year-round Denver eatery, CHUBurger, high up on Larimer St. at 35th. cept with a food truck in 2011. It was dubbed, “the Bone Wagon”. That led to the birth of CHUBurger and its first brick and mortar space. This addition in RiNo is the third location. The second is situated rooftop at Coors Field. OB also operates the CYCLECHOPS Bike CANtina, a taqueria eatery that blends the family’s love of beer, biking and tequila. One of those could pop up in Denver some day, but for now, you’ll have to make the trek to Longmont for their Mexican eats. “We know the future holds thoughtful expansion of our core brands, as well as new concepts yet to be hatched,” the company stated. One final, but vital note: there’s extra parking behind the building! CHUBurger sits on the corner of 35th and Larimer Streets, across from Hop
Alley. Hours are 11:00a.m. to midnight daily and 720-668-9167 is the local number. The web address is oskarbluesfooderies.com.
CHANGES WHITTIER CAFÉ What better way to spend a winter’s Sunday afternoon than with a hot cup of coffee, learning about the culture of the bean? Millete Birhanemaskel celebrates her Ethiopian background at her Whittier Café proudly. Giving credit where it’s due, Ethiopia was the first corner continued on page 6
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African beer and wine selections are now offered at Whittier Café, where all things African are celebrated and a Sunday afternoon coffee ritual is a must.
It’s easy to spot the new dedicated parking for Denver Central Market on Larimer. The spaces are just beneath a stunning mural that anchors the market’s south wall.
Business
and time spent outdoors? ViewHouse Ballpark on Market Street, a block east of Coors Field is, too. Their outdoor area for lounging and games has been enclosed under a massive white tent. Could be the perfect way to stay warm this winter, as you visualize waves of sunshine warming your heart and soul.
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of the world to discover coffee beans, during the 11th century. She has owned this popular spot for two and a half years. Every Sunday, she features a traditional Ethiopian coffee ceremony at 2:00p.m. Birhanemaskel built an awesome indoor stage to showcase the event, but this dose of culture is just one of the added attractions at her business. “We are SO thrilled about the beer and wine license,” she said of the café’s newest feature. “We feature African beer and wine from Ethiopia, Kenya, South Africa and Morocco.” “We are really trying to teach people about Africa. The association isn't always positive, so we’d like to share various pieces of African culture that bring positivity to the continent. We are the only place in Denver providing all
African coffee, and now beer and wine,” Birhanemaskel added. The popular spot is open daily for breakfast, lunch and snacking. Hours are 6:30a.m.-8:00 p.m. weekdays. Doors open one hour later on weekends. Last month, the café added some later evening hours on Friday-Saturday and if demand is strong, that will probably become permanent. Don’t forget this place when the snow melts. The east-facing patio is ample and features evening yoga classes by candlelight. Whittier Café’s address is 1710 East 25th Ave. and the number’s 720550-7440. Be sure to enquire about the lending library if you’re looking for a unique read.
VIEWHOUSE BALLPARK Missing those warm summer days
DENVER CENTRAL MARKET I’ve found (yet another) reason to stop by Denver Central Market. There are now five dedicated parking places along the south wall of the building at Larimer and 27th Streets. While these spots are not for lingering, they provide a great ‘grab ‘n’ go’ option in an area with definite parking challenges. If you’re planning to use one for a quick trip, keep an eye on the clock. You
could spend the entire 30 minutes allotted staring at The Tortoise and Harriet, a mural painted by Spain’s storied street artist, Dulk, that anchors the wall above those five spaces.
CLOSINGS BROADWAY PSYCHIC CENTER The recently opened Broadway Psychic Center at 2288 Broadway and Park Avenue West that offered Tarot and palm readings is already gone. The space was once a BBQ space adjacent to Red Frame Gallery. The space is currently For Sale or For Lease. Send news to Jeanne@lifeoncaphill. com.
BLACK AMERICAN WEST MUSEUM & HERITAGE CENTER TO HONOR AFRICAN AMERICAN HISTORY WITH SPEAKER SERIES By Jason McKinney To honor and commemorate Black History Month, the Black American West Museum & Heritage Center (BAWM) will feature several speakers druing the month of February with the iam of highlighting the role of Black Americans in our community. Originally founded to tell the story of Black American Cowboys, BAWM now educates visitors about the lives of early blacks who sought to tame the land of the American West and exercise
freedom. Through education, motivation and empowering people of all ethnicities, the museum strives to inform about these unsung heroes of history. All February speaking events are Saturdays, 11:00a.m.-1:00p.m. and are free with paid admission to the museum. JoKatherine Holliman Page, a native Coloradoan and social and political activist who is also a licensed clinical social worker and pyschotherapist who works at Maxwell Elementary School (and who has served as an
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assistant clinical professor at the DU Graduate School of Social Work and a diversity trainer for several major corporations, including Federal Express and United Way), will speak on Saturday, Feb. 4. Page and her husband, Jerome, have been the executive directors of several civic organizations in Colorado and Oregon. As social and civil rights activists, they also made a significant contribution of books and other memorabilia from their personal library about African-American life to the East High School library in 2014. JoKatherine participated in the 1963 March on Washington and is also on the board of directors for Girls, Inc. of Metro Denver and the Interfaith Alliance of Colorado, among others. Saturday, Feb. 11, Valeria Howard-Vason, the wife of the late Lu Vason, founder of the Bill Pickett Invitational Rodeo, will talk about her life. Valeria's husband (who died in 2015) helped to create opportunities for Black Cowboys and helped to educate people on little-known aspects of Western American history. Valeria will speak about this and how her husband, a former music promoter, wanted to entertain audiences, while also educating them about blacks who helped in the construction of the West.
Valeria is now the owner and producer of the Bill Pickett Invitational Rodeo which takes place every January in Denver at the National Western Stock Show. A third speaker, who as of presstime is yet to be determined, will appear on Saturday, Feb. 18. BAWM says the speaker will be a prominent local member of the community. Daphne Rice-Allen, BAWM Chair, is currently working on a list of potential candidates. An Open Community Dialogue will take place Saturday, Feb. 25th and this will be a free admission day at the museum for all. Discussion will center around the topic of how the museum can stay relevant and contribute to the success of the African-American community, locally and regionally. For more information visit blackamericanwestmuseum.org as dates get closer. Rice-Allen currently runs the programs herself with the assistance of a few others. “The Museum is run by volunteers, so for now, month by month is the best way for us to handle things,” she said. She is always looking for contributions of support and time from willing individuals. Admission to the museum is $10 for adults, $9 for seniors (65 and over), $8 for students and $6 for children (12 and under).
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CALENDAR
CLASSES, LECTURES & FORUMS Wed, 02/01 | 4:00p.m.-5:30p.m. Winter of Reading Kickoff Celebrate the beginning of the Winter of Reading Program for adults! Come to the library to sign up and get a snack to enjoy with your first read. | 720-865-0135 Ross-Broadway branch library, 33 E. Bayaud Ave. denverlibrary.org Wednesdays 02/01-02/22 | 6:00p.m.-7:00p.m. Rotary Club of Five Points First Wednesday of the month is the Board meeting, fourth is Happy Hour! Varying locations for meetings and service projects. New members are welcome. | 720-891-0843 portal.clubrunner.ca/6166,
Sundays 02/05-02/26 | 9:30a.m. Tibetan Buddhist Meditation Learn both Tibetan and rhythmic English chants and brief silent meditations. Led by members of Yeshe Nyingpo Denver, a chapter of the Dudjom Tersar and aligned with the Dalai Lama. | 303-294-9258 Mercury Cafe, 2199 California St. mercurycafe.com
Wed, 02/15 | 6:30p.m.-8:00p.m. The Citizens' Climate Lobby Citizens Climate Lobby is a non-profit, grassroots advocacy organization focused on national policies to address climate change. | 303-322-0079 First Unitarian Society of Denver, 1400 Lafayette St. facebook.com/CitizensClimateLobbyDenverChapter
Tuesdays 02/07-02/28 | 12:00p.m.-12:30p.m. Meditation at Noon Take 30 minutes to connect to your heart, cultivate inner peace and happiness, and clarify your intention for the day, free. | 303-813-9551 KMC Colorado Capitol Hill, 1081 Marion St. meditationincolorado.org
Fridays 02/03-02/24 | 7:00a.m.-8:30a.m. Daybreak Toastmasters Cat got your tongue? Public speaking and more. Room B-70. Call Scott after 6p.m. | 303-467-9294 State of Colorado Centennial Building, 1313 Sherman St. daybreaktoastmasters.org
Tuesdays 02/07-02/28 | 6:30p.m.-10:30p.m. Argentine Tango, practice and lessons Tango Colorado hosts these low cost Tango lessons, followed by a practice session where dancers can polish the steps they learned, interact with other students and advanced dancers and improve their skills. | 303-710-2250 Denver Turnverein Event Center, 1570 Clarkson St. tangocolorado.org/lessons
Fridays 02/03-02/24 | 5:00p.m.-6:00p.m. Happiness Hour A short talk and guided relaxing meditation to help increase a peaceful good heart. It is an ideal way to unwind after work and recharge for a great evening ahead. Free. | 303-813-9551 KMC Colorado Downtown, 1336 Glenarm Place meditationincolorado.org
Wed, 02/08 | 12:00p.m.-1:00p.m. La Leche League of Denver Meeting With a topic for each meeting and time for moms to discuss current questions and concerns. All interested women and their support person(s), as well as children, are welcome. | 720-841-4302 Denver Health: Gipson Eastside Family Health Center, 501 28th St. lllofdenvercommunity.org
Sun, 02/05 | 12:00p.m.-1:00p.m. Book Club Meets to discuss Discover the Power Within You by Eric Butterworth. | 303-668-2153 Unity on the Avenue Spiritual Center, 4670 E. 17th Ave. Parkway unityontheavenue.org
PROMO CODE ‘NEIGHBORHOODLIFE’
Tue, 02/14 | 12:00p.m.-1:00p.m. Wills & Trusts Class Find out if you are in need of a will or trust and learn about other important estate planning tools, including medical power of attorney. Free and open to the public, free parking and a light meal provided. RSVP required. | 303-573-1170 Denver Community Credit Union, 1041 Acoma St. denvercommunity.coop
Tuesdays 02/07-02/28 | 3:00p.m. Hard Times Writing Workshop Going through a tough time? Telling our stories can often help process our life experiences and find new paths. Join a safe and supportive creative writing workshop that's free and open to all; sharing is not mandatory. | 720-865-1111 Denver Public Library: Central branch, 10 W. 14th Ave. Parkway denverlibrary.org
Friday 02/03, 02/10 | 6:45a.m.-8:00a.m. Monthly Downtown Democratic Forum Breakfast Get info on local issues and ballot initiatives. Public welcome. First Friday of the month. | 303-861-8050 Southern Hospitality, 1433 17th St. denverdemocrats.org
2736 WELTON STREET | 200
Sundays 02/05-02/26 | 10:30a.m. Capoeira Angola Introductory Class Take an introductory class in this African-Brazilian art form with its roots in Bantu traditions, which were carried to Brazil by enslaved Africans. Free, other classes available. | 303-294-9258 Mercury Cafe, 2199 California St. mercurycafe.com
Tuesdays 02/07-02/28 | 12:00p.m.-2:00p.m. Computer Help - Apoyo con computación Get individualized technology assistance from a in-house experts on your own device or a public computer. Learn the basics, such as email, social networking, word processing and eMedia. | 720-865-0920 Ford-Warren Branch Library, 2825 High St. denverlibrary.org
Fri, 02/03 | 7:00a.m. Denver GOP First Friday Breakfast Great speakers and conservative camaraderie. This months speakers are Colorado Secretary of State Wayne Williams and Denver Clerk & Recorder. Please RSVP and order breakfast to support Pete's. | 303-782-9555 Pete's Greek Town Cafe, 2910 E. Colfax Ave. denvergop.org
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Members of Our Community The Assistant Regional Director of the Mountain States AntiDefamation League will share what has happened locally and nationally since the election. Then hear from an interfaith panel. Free and open to the public. Presented by Abrahamic Initiative. | Saint John's Cathedral Saint John's Cathedral, 1350 Washington St. abrahamicinitiative.com
Mondays 02/06-02/27 | 6:00p.m.-7:00p.m. Free Zumba Classes Beginners welcome! Free, offered by YMCA Community Programs Branch. | 303-292-2281 Manual High School, 1700 E. 28th Ave. denverymca.org
Thursday 02/02, 02/09 | 3:00p.m.-5:00p.m. Buying Into Entrepreneurship: An SBDC Track Series Three-part track series that will enlighten and prepare participants on the ins and outs of buying a business from the leading and largest brokerage firm in Colorado, Transworld Business Advisors of Denver. Free, RSVP required. | 720-259-5099 Denver Metro Chamber of Commerce, 1445 Market St. clients.coloradosbdc.org/workshop.aspx?ekey=360160
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Sundays 02/05-02/26 | 7:00a.m.-7:00p.m. Community Programs with Guided Meditation Several offerings on Sundays: Medicine Buddha at 7a.m.; Seva - Volunteer, work on projects together, 2-5p.m.; Guided Meditation at 6p.m. and Vegetarian Potluck at 7p.m. | 303-885-6727 The Denver Ashram, 1599 High St. denverashram.com
Sun, 02/12 | 2:00p.m.-4:00p.m. A Presentation on Bullying and Assaults on Marginalized
SY ’ S S LOREW FC on
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Thu, 02/16 | 6:00p.m. Financially Fit Females Monthly Meeting Join a group that provides education, support and encouragement for women who want to become more financially savvy. First meeting free, location and topic change monthly. | 303-921-2651 financiallyfitfemales.com,
Mon, 02/20 | Times vary Trails of the Buffalo Soldiers: Roads to Equality Peer into the eyes of formerly enslaved men who bravely bought their freedom on bloody Civil War battlefields—then trekked westward to Fort Garland and pursued Pancho Villa into Mexico with Historian Dr. John Langellier, $10. | 303-866-2394 History Colorado Center, 1200 Broadway historycolorado.org Sat, 02/25 | 10:30a.m.-12:30p.m. Black Genealogy Search Group (BGSG) The Black Genealogy Search Group (BGSG) was created to increase the popularity of their common interests in genealogy and Black history. Their hope is to grow and expand the group's activities as well as attract new members. | 720-865-2401 Blair-Caldwell African American Research Library, 2401 Welton St. denverlibrary.org Tue, 02/28 | 5:00p.m.-6:00p.m. Active Minds presents -- New Orleans: Biography of a City Explore the colorful history, culture and people of the “Big Easy,” including the unique challenges of living in a coastal city where nearly half the land is below sea level! Free. | 303-322-7727 Tattered Cover, 2526 E. Colfax Ave. activeminds.com Thursday 02/16, 02/23 | 6:00p.m.-8:00p.m. Beginning Crochet Come explore the many wonders of crochet in a relaxed environment! Learn how to read patterns, work beginner stitches and finish off a project. Students will leave with four projects, extra yarn and lots of ideas! $80. | 3035568320 Metropolitan State University of Denver, 890 Auraria Parkway msudenver.edu/learnon/spring2017courses/
GALLERY SHOWINGS Daily 02/01-02/28 | Times vary Amalgamated Contemplation Exhibit features artists who are ultimately dealing with the
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fundamental artistic elements: color, line & form. Each divulges themselves in their work, engaging with the media, creating connections and reflections of their individual consciousness. | 303-355-8955 Walker Fine Art, 300 W. 11th Ave. #A walkerfineart.com Daily 02/01-02/26 | Times vary Nice Work If You Can Get It This exhibit will explore the reality of “making it” as an artist demands hard work, space and funding. The aim of this exhibit is to reflect a process of discovery and dialogue about the nature work and reality of working artists in our economy. | 303-296-4448 RedLine Contemporary Art Center, 2350 Arapahoe St. redlineart.org Daily 02/01-02/28 | Times vary Valerio D'Ospina, Robert Spooner and Peter Roux
These three artists explore the process of contemporary seeing with a common visual language, masterfully communicating life and movement through dynamic, abstract-realist oil paintings of urban to rural environments. | 303-590-9800 Mike Wright Gallery, 1412 Wazee St. mikewrightgallery.com Fri, 02/03 | Times vary Pastoral Perspectives Tiffany C. Bailey’s ceramic work is influenced by the study of the shape and surface of the landscape surrounding her childhood home in Wisconsin. She translates this topography into a personal narrative constructed from slip-cast porcelain elements. | 303-295-0717 Plinth Gallery, 3520 Brighton Blvd. plinthgallery.com Thu, 02/09 | Times vary Shelter of Desire Xi Zhang’s colorful paintings explore how an individual’s mind re-shapes one’s physical environment—focusing on the theory
that the conscious, emotions and subconscious can be akin to “paint,” consistently coloring and shaping reality. | Arts Brookfield, 1801 California St. artsbrookfield.com
KIDSTUFF Daily 02/01-02/14 | Times vary Southwest Rink at Skyline Park The Southwest Rink at Skyline Park is open for free skating, fun and more in the heart of Downtown Denver now through February 14, 2017, Skyline Park 16th and Arapahoe Streets
Wednesdays 02/01-02/22 | 11:30a.m.-12:30p.m. Baby Play and Explore Unstructured play and social time for children (0-2 years) and their caregivers. Enjoy books, music and a variety of developmentally appropriate toys. Free. | 720-865-1111 Denver Public Library: Central branch, 10 W. 14th Ave. Parkway
DISCOVER DENVER TO RECORD THE PAST BEFORE IT DISAPPEARS By Stacey McDole In 1999, the City of Denver created the Historic Preservation Plan and suggested a survey of historically—and architecturally—significant buildings throughout the city. Plans were laid, but proper technology and funding was lacking. In 2007, when the City and Historic Denver hosted the Preservation Summit, the plan gained momentum. After muchneeded fundraising, in 2014 Discover Denver was launched. Now, Discover Denver has an updated website allowing community participation in documenting Denver's history. “A big goal of Discover Denver and this more modern survey process is to make the information more readily accessible,” said Annie Levinsky, Executive Director of Historic Denver. “So, an interactive website has been a project priority and funding to make it happen was secured last year from the Colorado State Historical Fund.” The new Discover Denver site allows members of the community to share their photos, stories and experiences
DA
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McCann plans to make structural alterations within the Juvenile Prosecution Division. Currently, the deputy and chief deputy positions are rotating. Her plan is to make the chief position at least a five-year commitment, and possibly permanent, depending on the person. She is also looking at having deputies in the juvenile division who chose to be there instead of rotating people through. “I would rather have people in juvenile court who are committed to the concept of trying to change juvenile behavior," McCann said. "That way, they become familiar with all the programs and alternatives available, and develop an expertise. They will also, unfortunately, get to know the kids that keep coming back. This will be a more effective way to focus on helping kids make better choices.” McCann’s legal career began in the District Attorney’s office over 30 years ago. From 1981-1983, she served as Chief Deputy District Attorney. In 1983, she left to join the Denver law firm of Cooper & Kelly for eight years and made partner in 1985. Other credentials include being Mayor Wellington Webb’s Manager of Safety and serving as the Deputy Attorney General in charge of Civil Litigation and Employment Law in the Colorado Attorney General’s Office. For the past eight years, McCann represented House District 8, which covers
with buildings in Denver. The website will house information collected by volunteers and will be accessible to the community. Volunteers are the driving force behind the neighborhood surveys. Through Historic Denver, they are trained to identify types of architecture and its timeframes. Volunteers also scour public records, employ resources from Denver Public Library, perform academic research and canvass neighborhoods to gather information. Residents are encouraged to attend a Discovery Day, an event that will provide an opportunity to speak with the project team, ask questions and share information about important buildings in the area. Information regarding the next Discover Day will be canvassed throughout the neighborhood via flyers, social media and newsletters. Last October, roughly 20 people attended the Discover Day in Virginia Village. “People brought in original house plans, 30 millimeter slides of the area, when it still had bridle paths, and photos
central and northeast Denver. Former Republican House Speaker Frank McNulty served with McCann in the Colorado State House. He said, “Beth is definitely a liberal Democrat, but she was great to work with and always a straight shooter, whether she had good or bad news.” Another issue that the new DA will undoubtedly face scrutiny over is how allegations of police misconduct and excessive force are handled. While the police department has direct purview, McCann controls how her office looks at allegations of police misconduct and whether or not to file charges. “This is clearly an issue that troubles me and I think that all of us in our system need to be watching it. I have recently met with Police Chief White and he is doing a number of things to help address it. The Denver Police Department has come out with a new draft of policy that emphasizes only using force when necessary. Just because it’s legal, doesn’t mean it’s necessary.” Another priority of McCann’s is to build trust between law enforcement and the community, and have an open line of communication to the DA’s office. Her deputies will be attending neighborhood meetings in their communities so they hear what people are saying. McCann also wants the deputies to explain what they do and how the DA’s office functions. She plans to attend a number of community advisor
from the 1950s,” Levinsky said. Currently, volunteers are surveying the Virginia Village neighborhood, but will move into the neighborhoods of Capitol Hill and City Park commercial district by Summer 2017. The project will take 10 years to complete; 250,000 buildings will be documented. The goal is to get as many documented before any other buildings are demolished, because “buildings that are present today, may not be tomorrow and we want to get as much information about them before they are gone,” said Andrea Burns, Communications Director of the Community and Planning department. The goal of the Discover Denver project is not to designate any historic landmarks or perform a “hostile” designation (one not initiated by the property owner), but to document the significant buildings and to empower people with knowledge. The survey is as innocuous to the neighborhoods as tax assessor surveys. Capitol Hill United Neighborhoods (CHUN), has been working jointly with the Landmark Preservation Commission
and Historic Denver for approximately five years on this project. “At first, property owners were not very supportive of this initiative. They thought we were trying to historically designate their properties,” said Michael Henry, chair of CHUN’s Historic Preservation Committee. “We were proactively collecting information about the buildings to boost civic pride in our neighborhood.” In order to historically designate a building, an application must be submitted to the City and public awareness raised, then voted on by City Council. Burns said what Landmark Preservation and Discover Denver do are different, but they can “live in harmony and have the same shared goals.” “Every building has a story to tell,” said Rachel Prestidge with CRL Associates, the advocacy group defending the old Smiley’s Laundromat on Colfax Avenue. “Any program to help those stories get told is a wonderful initiative and helps contribute to the fabric and culture of our city.”
Sworn in by Second Judicial District Court Chief Judge Michael Martinez, Beth McCann became Denver's first female District Attorney. Photo by Sara Hertwig. panels and meetings herself to stay in touch with the concerns of citizens. Republican Mark Waller, who is currently an El Paso County Commissioner, served in the state legislature with McCann for six years and recalls being freshmen representatives together. Waller found commonality with McCann because they are both former prosecutors. “She is one of the smartest and most conscientious people I know.," Waller said. "We had many differences
of opinion, but Beth was willing to reach across the aisle and is the kind of person you can agree to disagree with.” When asked about McCann’s ability to deliver on her vision for the DA’s office, including improving the juvenile justice system, and building trust between law enforcement and the community, Waller said, “Those issues are bigger than all of us. It will take more than one person to solve them, but Beth is the type of visionary leader that will help us move in the right direction.”
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OUTREACH
denverlibrary.org Weekdays 02/01-02/28 | 3:00p.m.-6:00p.m. Teen Open Lab Interested in recording music or editing videos? Want to use the 3D printer or learn about Arduino? Want to learn how to make a video games? Ready to sew or paint a masterpiece? Just want to hang out and play games? Drop-in, for teens 12-19, free. | 720-865-1706 ideaLAB in Community Technology Center of DPL Central library, 10 W. 14th Ave. Parkway teens.denverlibrary.org Fridays 02/03-02/24 | 10:30a.m.-11:00a.m. Bilingual All Ages Storytime Stories, songs, rhymes and fun for children of all ages and their parents or caregivers. Storytime will be presented in Spanish and English. | 720-865-0920 Ford-Warren Branch Library, 2825 High St. denverlibrary.org Sat, 02/04 | 10:00a.m.-12:00p.m. 3D Modeling: Desktop Catapults Get medieval with modern technology! You will learn how to create 3D objects in tinkercad by designing a desktop catapult. All levels are welcome to attend. 3D printing is slow, so they won't be able to print out your creations right away. | 720-865-1306 ideaLAB in Community Technology Center of DPL Central library, 10 W. 14th Ave. Parkway Sat, 02/04 | 9:00a.m.-5:00p.m. Denver Museum of Nature & Science Free Day Explore dinosaur fossils, space odyssey and more! The Scientific & Cultural Facilities District sponsors community free days at the Denver Museum of Nature & Science. A fee still applies to IMAX films, Planetarium shows, and temporary exhibitions. | 303-370-6000 Denver Museum of Nature & Science, 2001 Colorado Blvd. dmns.org Tue, 02/07 | 4:00p.m.-8:00p.m. Children's Museum Free Day Target is committed to giving back to the communities where their guests and team members live and work. Through their generous sponsorship, families can play for FREE the first Tuesday of each month. | 303-433-7444 Children's Museum, 2121 Children's Museum Drive mychildsmuseum.org Tuesdays 02/07-02/28 | 10:30a.m.-11:00a.m. Toddler Storytime In the Berger Children's Pavilion, Stories, songs, rhymes and fun for toddlers ages 18-36 months and their parents or caregivers. Craft activity immediately follows the program. Free. | 720-865-1111 Denver Public Library: Central branch, 10 W. 14th Ave. Parkway denverlibrary.org Tuesdays 02/07-02/28 | 10:30a.m. Young Children’s Storytime Young children are invited for a half hour of stories and fun, with a different topic each week. Free. | 303-322-1965, ext. 2731 Tattered Cover, 2526 E. Colfax Ave. tatteredcover.com Tue, 02/14 | 4:30p.m.-5:30p.m. Valentines Day Party Celebrate V-day at the Ford-Warren library, we will have fun activities for all ages. Snacks and drinks will be provided! All ages welcome. While supplies last. | 720-865-0920 Ford-Warren Branch Library, 2825 High St. denverlibrary.org Sun, 02/26 | 11:00a.m.-1:00p.m. Boogie Down! Join Warm Cookies of the Revolution with the whole fam-damily and rock out to music from local hip-hop superstars 2MX2, play with Swallow Hill's Instrument Petting Zoo and converse about issues pertaining to families and civic life, $5 donation. | McNichols Building, 144 W. Colfax Ave. warmcookiesoftherevolution.org
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- Fully implement the Solid Waste Master Plan. - Remove the fee for residential composting, citywide. - Roll-out residential composting barrels, citywide, with opt-out option. - Increase recycling participation by addressing options for multi-family and commercial buildings.
WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT - Consider a new policy to include hiring goals in RFPs for large construction projects within the City and County of Denver.
Wed, 02/01 | 10:00a.m.-11:30a.m. Dementia Caregiver Support Group A safe to share concerns, coping techniques and tips when caring for a loved one with dementia. Free to attend, no registration required. | 303-951-5222 The Center, 1301 E. Colfax Ave. coloradoassistedliving.com Wednesdays 02/01-02/22 | 6:00p.m. LifeRing Secular Recovery Meeting A network of people who support one another in living free of alcohol and other non-medically indicated addictive drugs. | 303-875-5088 First Unitarian Church, 1400 Lafayette St. liferingcolorado.org Thu, 02/02 | 7:00p.m. Depression and Bipolar Support Alliance Family and friends are always welcome, as well as those who have a mood disorder such as depression or bipolar disorder. The group is for adults over age 18. Donations appreciated. | 303-329-3364 Our Savior’s Lutheran Church, 915 E. 9th Ave. beyondbipolar.com Thursdays 02/02-02/23 | 12:00p.m. Home for the Heart AL-ANON Al-Anon's Purpose is to help friends and families of alcoholics recover from the effects of living with the problem drinking of a relative or friend. In lower level. | Trinity United Methodist Church Trinity United Methodist Church, 1820 Broadway al-anon-co.org
Tuesdays 02/07-02/28 | 6:30p.m.-8:00p.m. Moderation Management Weekly meetings for problem (vs. chronic) drinkers who want to reduce their intake of alcohol. Email: denver@moderation. org. | First Unitarian Church First Unitarian Church, 1400 Lafayette St. moderation.org Tue, 02/14 | 1:00p.m. Pulmonary Fibrosis Support Group Provides a safe, secure environment for all patients with any type of pulmonary fibrosis and their family members, care providers and significant others. | 303-398-1912 National Jewish Health, 1400 Jackson St. nationaljewish.org Tue, 02/14 | 7:00p.m.-8:00p.m. Meditation 303-668-2153 Unity on the Avenue Spiritual Center, 4670 E. 17th Ave. Parkway unityontheavenue.org
RELIGION & SPIRITUALITY Saturdays 02/04-02/25 | 10:00a.m. Saturday Shabbat 303-322-5733 Church in the City-Beth Abraham, 1580 Gaylord St. churchinthecity.org Sundays 02/05-02/26 | 10:00a.m. Christian Science Service 303-839-1505 First Church of Christ, Scientist, 1415 Logan St. christiansciencecolorado.org
Sundays 02/05-02/26 | 6:45p.m. Nar-Anon A twelve step support group for families and friends of addicts to help themselves cope. | First Unitarian Church First Unitarian Church, 1400 Lafayette St. nar-anon.org
Sundays 02/05-02/26 | 8:30a.m. Contemporary Services 303-322-5733 Church in the City-Beth Abraham, 1580 Gaylord St. churchinthecity.org
Sundays 02/05-02/26 | 12:30p.m. Nicotine Anonymous A fellowship of men and women helping each other to live our lives free of nicotine. | Our Savior’s Lutheran Church Our Savior’s Lutheran Church, 915 E. 9th Ave. nicotine-anonymous.org
Sundays 02/05-02/26 | 8:30a.m. Catholic Mass Also at 10:30a.m., 12:30p.m. and 6:30p.m. | 303-831-7010 Cathedral Basilica of the Immaculate Conception, 1535 Logan St. denvercathedral.org
Mon, 02/06 | 10:00a.m.-5:00p.m. Hunger Free Colorado Drop-In Assistance Hunger Free Colorado representatives can help you apply for SNAP (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program) food stamps and connect with other food resources. | 720-865-1111 Denver Public Library: Central branch, 10 W. 14th Ave. Parkway denverlibrary.org
Sundays 02/05-02/26 | 8:30a.m. Interdenominational Service 303-800-8269 Denver United Church, 660 S. Broadway denverunited.com
Mondays 02/06-02/27 | 7:00p.m. Food Addicts in Recovery Anonymous Through shared experience and mutual support, join a meeting to help each other to recover from the disease of food addiction. | 303-775-8062 Trinity United Methodist Church, 1820 Broadway foodaddicts.org
Sundays 02/05-02/26 | 5:00p.m. Catholic Mass for Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender A social follows Mass on most Sundays. | 720-515-4528 Dignity Denver, 1100 Fillmore St. dignitydenver.org Sundays 02/05-02/26 | 9:00a.m. Acts 29 Christian Service L2 Church, 1477 Columbine St. L2today.com
Mondays 02/06-02/27 | 8:00a.m.-7:00p.m. Grant Street Reach Providing meals at no cost to its clients and it is sustained by committed and compassionate volunteers. | 303-839-1432 St. Paul Lutheran and Roman Catholic Community of Faith, 1600 Grant St. grantstreetreach.org/
Sundays 02/05-02/26 | 10:00a.m. Worship Service With pre-worship coffee at 9:30a.m. and post worship social time at 11:30a.m. | 303-860-1819 Metropolitan Community Church of the Rockies, 980 Clarkson St. lifelegacyphotography.com/mccr/
Tuesdays 02/07-02/28 | 8:00p.m. Joy AL-ANON Al-Anon's Purpose is to help friends and families of alcoholics recover from the effects of living with the problem drinking of a relative or friend. In the Roberts Building, Room 103. | Saint John's Cathedral Saint John's Cathedral, 1350 Washington St. al-anon-co.org
Sundays 02/05-02/26 | 7:30a.m. Catholic Mass Also, Spanish Mass, 12:30p.m. (2nd and 4th Sundays) and African Mass, 1p.m. (3rd Sunday). | 303-322-8042 St. Ignatius Loyola Catholic Church, 2301 York St. loyoladenver.org
- Increase funding for expanded, individual skill gap assessment of high unemployment statistical neighborhoods. - Support training goals for large construction projects to ensure new workers are brought into career pathways and learn skills that will advance their earning potential. Following are additional issues on which the Denver City Council will also be thinking strategically in 2017: - Beautification and Healthy Living: promote the intrinsic uniqueness of Denver’s diverse neighborhoods through public amenities that invite healthy living. Funding for median maintenance
and beautification. - Safety: maintain police hiring at a level sufficient to achieve Chief White’s goal of 35 percent pro-active productivity by 2019. - Financial Empowerment: expand funding to provide additional services for residents across the city to receive training and tools for debt reduction to address needs in response to involuntary displacement and home ownership in Denver. - Participatory Budgeting; set aside $11 million within the GO Bond to be used for participatory budgeting pilot programs for capital projects that fit the same bond categories, but with community-decision making.
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- Parks: conduct master park planning for newly acquired parks and update outdated park plans. Create a dedicated Senior Planner position to focus on planning for dog parks. The Denver City Council commits to participate in and help to expand inclusivity conversations and systems that are free of oppression, in accord with Denver’s designation of a Compassionate City, and calls on the city’s many civic-minded businesses, nonprofits, Registered Neighborhood Organizations and its neighboring cities throughout the Metro area and Colorado to join in supporting the cultivation of compassion and acts of compassion for the well-being of all.
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SCHOOLS By Linda Katchen, Ph.D. According to The Colorado Department of Education (CDE), Denver Public Schools (DPS) is now the largest school district in the state. DPS grew to an enrollment of 91,132 students in 2016. Colorado is among the lowest states in America for per-pupil-funding for students in public schools and is not keeping pace with inflation. Denver voters passed a bond and mill levy in November which will add an additional $56 million to support Denver schools. According to DPS Superintendent Tom Boasberg, the focus of funding in Denver will be on the classroom and giving schools flexibility to meet each school’s needs in order to maximize the benefit going to students. One of the first projects is to switch from fluorescent to LED lighting in the schools. DPS honored Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. in several ways. On Monday, Jan. 16, students and community members met Superintendent Boasberg at East High School to march as a group to Civic Center Park. DPS began the Teacher Leadership and Collaboration Program in 2013 and it has now expanded to almost all of its schools. Teachers now receive their primary coaching support from effective teacher/team leaders who work in the same school. When rating their team leaders, 89 percent of teachers in DPS said that they were effective. Among the major benefits of this program is that team leaders know the school, the student populations and are able to model through their own instructional practices what effective teaching is. This program has gained national attention and DPS is modeling for others how
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day orientation. The goal for the one-year pilot program is to connect with 300 homeless people, offer 150 of them work and refer at least 49 of them to permanent jobs in the hope that at least 20 will be able to keep their jobs for at least 90 days. Julie Smith, Denver Human Services Marketing and Communications Director, is pleased that at just two months in the program is more successful than expected. The original plan of sending a van out to make contact with prospective participants has been scrapped because here’s now a waiting list at Civic Center Park. And, four people have already placed with Denver Parks and Recreation in fulltime, seasonal work. Rita is one of those four; her first day as a city employee was Jan. 10. “I take care of Skyline Park,” she says proudly. The change in her expression is remarkable, from tears to a smile that lights her face up like a Roman candle. “[I] Sweep, shovel, pick up trash, make sure it’s nice and neat—there are lots of dogs.” Then, with great comic timing, she adds, “That’s what I like. The dogs.” She laughs at herself shyly. Rita’s new employer, Scott Gilmore, Executive Director of Denver Parks and Recreation, is happy to have her on board. “[She works] incredibly hard, which
an effective team process can benefit everyone. On Friday, Jan. 20, Manual High, 1700 E. 28th Ave., hosted a special event in their Writing Center, “Now What? The Next Four Years.” Students shared their voices, poetry, art and collective expressions illustrating their hopes, desires, anxieties and questions about the presidential inauguration and the coming administration. This was an opportunity for students to connect what they are learning with what is happening in the world and encourages them to become involved citizens. Senior Elijah Beauford, Principal Nick Dawkins and hundreds of other educators, community members, staff members and students are participating in a newly-formed DPS African-American Equity Task Force. This initiative was created in response to a DPS report that identified a large opportunity gap for African-American students and educators. Through a variety of working groups, the Task Force will develop an equity agreement for recommended actions, efforts and necessary resources to address the factors that are contributing to the equity and inclusion gap in DPS. Cole Arts and Science Academy (CASA), 3240 Humboldt St., has begun a 92 Days of Happiness Program. Teachers are using pictures of moments with the students to create a happy environment. CASA believes that this program will bring joy, good energy and fun to the school. Columbine Elementary, 2540 East 29th Ave., has experienced significant growth, outpacing the district for the past three years. Columbine is now green in growth on the Student Performance Framework (SPF), which is how schools are evaluated. Columbine was involved in a School Quality Review. The results of the review showed school-wide growth, specifically in the Domain of Instruction and Students Opportu-
makes the other employees work a little harder, too,” he said in a recent phone conversation. He sees the program as a recruitment tool to fill the 50 or 60 vacant, seasonal positions he hasn’t been able to fill otherwise. The four he’s hired from Denver Day Works are paid the same wage—$10.99 per hour— as any other city employee, doing the same work. He believes the diversity of those four–two African American men, one Hispanic woman and one white man–proves “homelessness can affect anyone.” The work may seem uninviting on this cold January day, but Rita’s face looks like Christmas morning. “When I don’t work, it’s like...,” she pauses, looking for the right phrase. “I guess I’m a creature of habit. I’m comfortable with a routine, and when I get out of a routine, it kind of does me out.” Denver Day Works connects its participants with multiple services to help them overcome barriers to employment. In Rita’s case, this includes transitional housing at the Colbern Hotel. She seems pleased that there are lots of rules there–no visitors after 9:00p.m. and room inspections on Tuesdays. Her only regret is that she finally had to give up her dogs to a no-kill shelter. She hopes they’ll adopt them out together because they’ve never been apart. As part of the program, Rita also receives counseling to help her get past her abusive history. “I can take a slap better than some-
Noel Community Arts School (NCAS) AP Spanish teacher Alejandrina Barajas, senior teacher leader and chemistry teacher Melissa Campbell, principal Debbie Blair-Minter and assistant principal Fernando Branch marching in the Martin Luther King Day Marade. Photo courtesy Denver Public Schools. nity to Learn (culture). From 2015 to 2016, Columbine had a higher score on Instructional Indicators and on Student Opportunities to Learn Indicators. Columbine moved out of the bottom two tiers of the School Performance Rating (SPF) up to yellow—“accreditation on watch.” Overall, school growth was meeting expectations (green). For more information about the SPF, go to: spf. dpsk12.org. Students from DSST: Cole, 3240 Humboldt St., participated in the Rocky Mountain BEST (Boosting Engineering, Science and Technology) game called “Bet the Farm” at Metropolitan State University of Denver. For the sixth year, teenagers designed and built robots over a six-week period. To earn points, they engaged in three-minute matches that required their robots to plant and harvest “vegetables,” corral pigs and turn water valves. DSST:Cole won a BEST Award, which is consid-
ered the highest achievement that any team can accomplish. One DSST:Cole student said, “You get to build a robot, sure, but you also get to show your creative side. There are options to do other things, and it’s good to see how other people solve the problem.” McAuliffe Manual Middle School, 2640 Holly St., is looking for grant writers and fund raisers to volunteer to help them obtain money to allow the school to offer more to benefit their students. Also, the McAuliffe Manual Foundation is searching for individuals and an attorney to work pro-bono to create a non-profit McAuliffe Foundation 501c3. The foundation will enable the school to partner with Amazon Smile and other organizations to fundraise for the school. If you are interested in volunteering, contact Penny Alsabin, the Student Activities Coordinator at palsabin@gmail.com.
Tracy Jimmerson has been working with the Denver Day Works Program for five weeks and though he gets paid, he says it's not enough to afford his own place. Photo by Sara Hertwig. body being nice to me,” she says, a bit defiantly. The counseling also helps her stand up for herself and forgive herself for the
mistakes she’s made. “I have to not let it get into my future,” she asserts. “I have to keep my eye on the prize.”
While you’re out snapping photos around the neighborhood, include the hashtag #CapHillStill and your photo could be published on the front of this newspaper!
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LOCAL HOSPITALS EARN TOP RATINGS IN SAFETY AND QUALITY By Caroline Schomp St. Joseph Hospital in Central Denver has won a 2016 “Top Teaching Hospital” award for patient safety and quality from The Leapfrog Group, a prestigious hospital ratings organization. Leapfrog also conducts twiceyearly hospital safety surveys in which St. Joseph and Presbyterian/St. Luke’s Medical Center (P/SL) both received “A” ratings overall in the 2016 fall survey. The ratings are based on hospital and government-provided data. As Leapfrog notes, “Hospital safety breakdowns, including patient injuries, accidents and infections, kill over 200,000 Americans each year, making these errors the third-leading cause of death in the U.S.” Consumers are able to use its ratings to make decisions about their hospital care, if and when they need it. Improving patient safety often results in cost savings, too, something consumers, employers and insurers appreciate and are emphasizing more. “The origin of the Leapfrog ratings was employers who wanted more accountability,” according to Stephen Cobb, M.D., chief medical officer at HealthOne’s Presbyterian/St. Luke’s. As the insurance purchaser for employees, they wanted to see hospitals improving. Consumers also have assumed more
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- FYI.” At the Jan. 10 meeting, the Gilpin parents and community members also raised concerns over census data used by DPS as an additional factor in the closing. DPS’ data indicates significant population declines on the horizon for the area, despite estimates of thousands of housing units which are set to become available in coming years. An exact estimate on the number comes from Curtis Park Neighbors (CPN) President John Hayden, who wrote in a Dec. 15 email, “My count is that there are 2700 housing units coming to Five Points over the next three years. The neighborhood has worked hard to ensure that many of these are built for families and are affordable. An example of this is the 265 unit building at Park Ave. and Welton, which is entirely affordable housing and includes two- and three-bedroom units…
of the cost burden of their healthcare and are comparing their options more carefully. Leapfrog’s A-through-F ratings, underpinned by numerical scores, give employers, insurers and consumers yardsticks to evaluate hospitals overall and in 30 subcategories. Presbyterian/St. Luke’s maintained its “A” safety grade from last spring. In 2015, it had a “B” in the spring and an “A” in the fall. St. Joseph achieved an “A” in both 2016 periods, up from a “B” throughout 2015. While acknowledging Leapfrog’s ratings provide a tool consumers should use to choose a hospital, Cobb cautions they should dig deep to find relevant data. The Leapfrog Group also encourages prospective patients to look at other reports it has available on hospital quality and resource use. Earning an “A” does not mean the hospital is perfect. It means they scored above average in more categories than the average hospitals did. “The safety rating also doesn't mean you won’t get good care at a “C” hospital,” Cobb said. In the 30 subcategories (scored numerically and “as below average”, “average”, and “above average”), P/SL scored below average in nine categories: three out of five in Infections, four
out of seven in Problems with Surgery, none in Practices to Prevent Errors, one in Safety Problems and one in Doctors/ Nurses & Hospital Staff. Each hospital faces different challenges based on the patients it serves, location and even facilities. For example, Cobb said what sometimes makes P/SL’s safety achievement more difficult is its many areas of specialty care, such as organ transplants and blood cancers, that bring in sicker patients and patients from throughout the entire Rocky Mountain region. SCL Health’s St. Joseph Hospital earned an overall “A” safety rating this fall, as well as designation as a 2016 “Top Teaching Hospital.” Chief Nursing Officer Mary Shepler, R.N., credits the hospital’s all-around safety culture for successfully raising its safety rating from “B” in both 2015 ratings periods. In the 2016 fall ratings, it was below average on two out of five Infection categories, five out of seven Surgical Problem categories, two out of six Practices to Prevent Errors categories, two out of five Safety Problem categories and two out of seven Doctors/ Nurses/Hospital Staff categories. St. Joseph opened its current facility just two years ago, equipping it with an eye toward safety, including showers
with nonstick floors, beds that provide alerts when patients get out of them and lifting mechanisms to help protect both patients and nursing staff. “We also were able to design it to allow nurses and physicians to be close to their patients,” Shepler said. Earning the “Top Teaching Hospital” designation is largely the result of St. Joseph’s inculcating its 110 residents training there with attention to patient safety. “We talk about it every day. There’s been a flattening of the hierarchy. We are all caregivers to our patients,” Shepler said, “we are always looking for a newer, better way of caring for patients.” Leapfrog and other ratings services continue to raise the bar. Practices that earned an “A” might only earn a “B” next year without more improvement. “The goal is zero. Every year we say, ‘We may not hit it, but that’s the goal,’” said St. Joseph’s Shepler. “In healthcare we have to keep striving to be as perfect as we can be,” Cobb said. “We learn by data, but also by stories. Failures represent stories are so powerful because they are people.”
Having the Elementary school across the street from these homes was vitally important. We wanted low-income families to have a quality school within walking distance of where they lived.” At the Jan. 10 meeting, the Gilpin representatives also discussed—with the Board members present—an email thread beginning Oct. 2, obtained by them and shared with Neighborhood Life, indicating an internal DPS conversation was underway in regards to Downtown Denver Expeditionary Middle School’s interest in classroom space at Gilpin, should it become available. At the conclusion of the Jan. 10 meeting, all DPS Board members present claimed they were unaware of the information as presented when they voted on Dec. 15 to close Gilpin. All three pledged to look into the information further. On Jan. 19, several dozen Gilpin parents and community members attended the regularly scheduled DPS Board of
Education meeting downtown to continue their protest of the closure. At that meeting, DPS Board Members Lisa Flores, Anne Rowe, Rachele Espiritu and Barbara O’Brien all voiced concerns over the SQR process, with Flores asking why, if adjustments to the final score were made, was the accompanying language not adjusted. It was argued that evening by the Gilpin community that language in the final report—paired in Gilpin’s score of “1”—was milder than language used in other schools’ reviews, yet those schools received higher scores. In the end, Rowe and Espiritu’s comments indicated they were not ready to revote on the matter. All commenting board members expressed a desire to instead reexamine and potentially retool the process in coming years. At the meeting’s close, Board Secretary Happy Haynes stated track record was what was most important in a discussion of Gilpin’s future.
“Growth numbers for the school have been persistently low for a number of years,” she said, adding “[Gilpin] is a school that we have had great concerns about.” Haynes also indicated she was satisfied Gilpin had received sufficient extra supports over those years. As regards DPS emails and other information presented by the Gilpin community, Haynes said she had reviewed the documents subsequent to her vote. “I haven’t seen anything that would dramatically change my conclusion at the end of the day,” she said. “Although, I think we are compelled to take a much harder look at the SQR process and our process, in terms of reviewing the work that’s done and information we get as board members, which must include ‘all of it,’ from beginning to end.” Haynes’ comments ended the meet-
For more information about hospital ratings, visit leapfroggroup.org.
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Sundays 02/05-02/26 | 11:00a.m. Chapel Service Offering opportunities for fellowship and spiritual growth throughout the week. Bible Study, Prayer Group and Women's Home League along with Worship Services. | 303-295-2107 Salvation Army Red Shield Community Center, 2195 High St. salvationarmy.org Sundays 02/05-02/26 | 10:00a.m. Orthodox Mass 303-698-2433 Saint Augustine Orthodox Church, 55 W. 3rd Ave. staugustinedenver.org Sundays 02/05-02/26 | Times vary Episcopal Service
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ing. As she concluded, the Gilpin community present gathered and left the room to chants of “shame” and “vote them out.” On Jan. 27, Neighborhood Life obtained a prior draft of the Gilpin SQR dated Nov. 23. The draft SQR was emailed from Rapa to Lagana and indicates that in a revisioning process, the final category of the Gilpin SQR—“Communities, parents, and families are actively engaged in their student(s)’ progress and school improvement”—went from a “2” to a “3.” Gilpin’s total score for this draft of the report was a 25, enough to pass. Neighborhood Life has still not confirmed whether there are other draft reports extant. At presstime, Neighborhood Life was in correspondence with Hayden to determine Curtis Park Neighbors’ and the Gilpin community’s next steps. According to Hayden, DPS representatives are committed to attending the Feb. 2 CPN meeting. Hayden indicated the key goals of the meeting will be:
303-388-6469 St. Barnabas Episcopal Church, 1280 Vine St. stbdenver.org Seniors’ Bible Study 303-295-2107 Salvation Army Red Shield Community Center, 2195 High St. salvationarmy.org
THEATRE & DANCE Friday-Sunday 02/10-02/12 | Times vary 17th Annual Lindy Diversion Instructors and musicians come to Denver from across the globe for classes, performances and live music to support arts programs in local schools. | 303-883-6691 Denver Turnverein Event Center, 1570 Clarkson St.
- Discussing the process for finding a new use for the Gilpin building. - Discussing the process for transitioning Gilpin students to their new schools. - Ensuring Gilpin parents have all the info they need from DPS to make choices that are best for their children. - Advocating for enough transportation options for students in the coming year to reach their new schools. - Beginning a conversation with DPS and Denver Housing Authority on what the new boundaries for the neighborhood’s school enrollment zone will be. DPS issued the following statement at presstime: On Thursday, Jan. 19, Board of Education members listened to community members concerned about the closure of Gilpin Montessori. However, they declined to bring the decision back for another vote. Several board members said that, while they shared concerns about the execution of the new School Performance Compact (SPC) policy, they also believe it’s the right decision for Gilpin
lindydiversion.com Fridays 02/10-02/24 | 8:00p.m. Makeshift Shakespeare Each week, Denver's brainiest improv troupe creates new Shakespearean plays on the spot based solely on an audience member's suggestion for a title. $15. | 303-578-0079 Voodoo Comedy Playhouse, 1260 22nd St. voodoocomedy.com Friday-Sunday 02/03-02/12 | Times vary Almost, Maine For the people of this sleepy town, life will never be the same after a night they'll never forget. Audiences from the Atlantic to the Pacific have savored the play's overlapping vignettes about the joys and dangers of love, $28. | 303-321-5925 Avenue Theater, 417 E. 17th Ave. avenuetheater.com
students. Among the points shared by district staff: - Gilpin is among the lowest-performing schools on the School Performance Framework, the district’s report card for schools. - Increased funding and resources totaling more than $1 million over the past three years has not helped improve student academic progress. - Gilpin is among the smallest elementary schools in the district, with just 200 students. Of the families living in the Gilpin boundary, 75 percent opt to send their children to other schools. On the question of the scores changing, changes to scores during SchoolWorks quality assurance process affected a majority of schools, and that this is a normal part of the process: - In 13 of 16 schools, ratings changed during SchoolWorks’ quality assurance processes. - In schools not eligible for the SPC, ratings changes occurred for ten of 12 schools.
- In schools not eligible for the SPC, the quality assurance processes resulted in eight rating decreases and seven rating increases. - SchoolWorks’ quality assurance processes resulted in ratings changes for three of the four SPC-eligible schools. - In the SPC-eligible schools, the quality assurance processes resulted in two rating decreases and five rating increases. - Of note, ratings changes for West Early College during the SchoolWorks quality review processes resulted in the school meeting the SQR performance threshold under the SPC criteria. _________________________________________ Members of the Gilpin group fighting closure have indicated privately they are pursuing leads resulting from other emails obtained via CORA requests filed in January. Neighborhood Life will continue to cover this story as it develops. Requests for comment from Albus Brooks, who had been present at previous meetings between the Gilpin community and DPS, were not returned by presstime.
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