Neighborhood Life – June 2015 by Life on Capitol Hill

Neighborhood Life

Neighborhood Life• JUNE 2015

City Park West • Whittier • San Rafael • Uptown • Curtis Park • Five Points • RiNo

JUNE 2015

Juneteenth 150th Anniversary By Christa T. Palmer

he celebration of the 150th anniversary of Juneteenth in Historic Five Points will take place on Saturday, June 20. Juneteenth is the oldest known celebration commemorating the ending of slavery in the U.S. It dates back to 1865 when Union soldiers landed at Galveston, Texas, with the news that slavery had ended. Traditional Juneteenth celebrations included food and music to celebrate the newly emancipated African Americans. 2015 marks the 150th anniversary of the day slaves in Galveston, Texas, learned of their freedom. This year’s festival features a wide range of events for many different age groups and interests including the Juneteenth Parade, Urban Car Show, Youth Engagement Zone, Miss Juneteenth Pageant, Green Awareness Zone and the Health Awareness Zone. There will be performances by nationally recognized bands and over 150 vendors from the community and abroad who will display art, clothing and jewelry. The food court features some of Colorado's best mobile restaurants and BBQ. The festival kicks off with Juneteenth’s Annual Parade. In 2014, nearly 2,550 people in over 50 groups participated, including Denver Mayor, Michael Hancock. The parade takes place Sat., June 20 at 10 am. The parade starts at Manual High School parking lot at 26th & Gilpin. Check-in for participants will be at 8:30 am. The festival includes an all-day concert. At deadline, the featured artists were still to be determined. The Miss Juneteenth pageant will return once again this year. The pageant has two categories: Miss Juneteenth for young ladies ages 15-21, and Junior Miss Juneteenth for ladies ages 11-14 years old. The focus this year is: “Be the Change Within-150 Years of Community.” Contestants are evaluated on the strength of their academic transcript, application, community service work, athletic achievements, essay and general ability to serve as the brand ambassador of the Juneteenth Music Festival. The application is available online. The Juneteenth Youth Engagement Zone (YEZ) is a collaboration that connects schools, community agencies, parents, youth and residents in a concerted effort to support widespread youth civic engagement through a sustainable, integrated system for service See JUNETEENTH on page 3

New Director, New Direction for CBID Resident chosen to lead and focus shifts By J. Patrick O’Leary

y hiring a new director and changing his title, and moving its offices to a more-visible storefront, the Colfax Business Improvement District – CBID – is sending signals that it’s changing course. In April CBID announced the hiring of longtime nonprofit organizer, Frank Locantore, as Community Director as well as a June move of its offices to 567 Colfax near Pearl, next to Pizza Fusion. CBID’s current location is buried inside the office complex at Lafayette and Colfax, and Economic Development Director, Stephanie Salazar, (and her title) left at the end of 2014, concluding a six-year tenure with the district. “Stephanie did economic development, and made good progress,” said Locantore, explaining “the board of directors wanted to go back to basics and focus on making the area cleaner and safer.” The change in direction was announced to the public at a CBID board retreat in November, at which a budget shift was announced, devoting 60 to 70 percent of the 2015 budget to safety and cleaning. Safety, maintenance and business outreach plans were also presented at the meeting. To implement safety, marching orders for the new community director include working with the Denver Police District 6, community groups and city agencies to address issues of traffic, safety and keeping the corridor a “welcoming environment while maintaining the edgy persona for which Colfax is known,” per a recent CBID press release. Maintenance tasks are still handled by a contractor, overseen by the new director. Aside from safety, Locantore’s other two primary goals are increasing communication and collaboration among businesses and property owners, and making facade and streetscape improvements through grants, donations and loans. The district, encompassing Colfax Avenue from Grant to ColumSee CBID on page 15

A ROW OF COLORFUL WHEELBARROWS stand at Sustainability Park.

Rec Center Looking Real Naming process begins, bids sought for adjacent retail site By J. Patrick O’Leary

roundbreaking for the new five-level, 60,000 sq. ft. Central Denver Recreation Center at Colfax and Josephine is now set for September, as city officials finalize its design, solicit petitions to name the building, and seek a buyer for an adjacent parcel of retail land to raise additional funds. “The project team is hard at work and moving right along,” said Jeff Green of Denver Parks and Recreation. “We have site plans and initial design drawings done and are on track to

break ground on the site this fall. We anticipate an 18-month construction process and upon completion Denver residents will have access to one of the newest and most state-of-theart urban recreation centers in the country.” About 50 people attended the most recent public meeting the evening of May 6 at East High School, where city officials provided an update on the project. Artist’s renderings for the design were unveiled at the meeting. Brick construction relieved by large windows will

PHOTO BY DANI SHAE THOMPSON

provide a “transparent” feel, allowing people outside to the see activity within, and those inside to see the city and Front Range. Outdoor amenity areas will be included, but the existing dog park – located on the northwest corner – will be reduced in size from 44,000 sq. ft. to 9,700. The current budget of $24.8 million provides for a “base” facility that will include an eightlane competitive lap pool with diving board; warm-water leisure pool with waterslide and zero-depth entry; a gym large enough for one full-sized basketball court; and a panoply of fitness, community and administrative rooms. An 11 percent contingency fund is built into the budget. If unused, officials want to use it for additional amenities, such as a $400,000 elevated walk/ jog track in the gym, a $330,000 climbing wall on the exterior, a See REC CENTER on page 2

ARTIST RENDERING OF REC CENTER COMPLETED PROJECT. Current budget of $24.8 million provides for a “base” facility with an 11 percent built-in contingency fund.

neighborhood-life.com

Neighborhood Life• JUNE 2015

REC CENTER Continued from page 1 rooftop event space with catering kitchen, a bouldering area, and improvements to the plaza and walkway behind Sullivan Gate. If built, the add-ons will increase the rec center’s size to 70,000 sq. ft. But if the funds are swallowed up by construction difficulties (costs are increasing at half a percent per month if delayed), private funding or other sources would be sought to build the additions, but only after the main “shell” of the building is complete. The city began seeking bids this month for the 3,200 sq. ft. parcel on the southeast corner of the rec center along Colfax, for concurrent retail development. Speculators need not apply. “We don’t want someone to buy it and hold on to it,” said Jeff Steinberg, of the Division of Real Estate. After allowing 30 to 45 days for responses, the city will draft and deliver a request for proposals to interested parties. He said the RFP will spell out the expectations for future use, and ask potential developers what they intend to do with the parcel and when, and what they’re willing to pay. Once a buyer is selected, the contract would include deed and other restrictions, such as coordinating design with the rec center’s architect. “If sold, the hope/plan is to use the proceeds to fund additional features beyond the base, such as the elevated run/walk track or the climbing wall,” said Green.

To solicit petitions for possible names for the new building, the city posted a notice on its web site and notified Registered Neighborhood Organizations. City rules allow buildings to be named for exceptional individuals; historic events, places and persons; or donors of major gifts. Petitions require 500 signatures be collected and submitted by Aug. 18 to Parks and Rec. From there, the Parks and Recreation Advisory Board will hear presentations (Sept. 10) and will make a recommendation to the Parks and Rec Executive Director, who will make a recommendation to City Council (late September), which will draft a formal bill in committee and hold public hearings and vote in October. In addition to 130 parking spaces on the site – some provided by eliminating one of three traffic lanes on adjacent Josephine – an agreement is being negotiated with East High School for shared use of the school’s nearby student and teacher parking area. The current 15-bike B-Cycle station will be moved a short distance, and 43 new bike racks will provide parking for 86 private cycles. A bus stop is also planned at Josephine. The facility will be LEED Gold certified. LEED, or Leadership in Energy & Environmental Design, is a green building certification program that recognizes best-in-class building strategies and practices. Gold is the third highest of four categories. Prior to the September groundbreaking, the Colorado Department of Transportation will perform “overlay work” in the area, and the city will coor-

dinate sidewalk improvements. Crosswalks will be widened from 10 to 15 feet, countdown pedestrian crosswalk timers will be installed, and pedestrian crossing times will be increased to meet new Federal guidelines (one second for every 3.5 feet). The recycling center currently operating on the site will close in July, and the dog park in August. Completion is expected in spring of 2017. In October 2009, the city purchased 2.56 acres of land formerly occupied by the Church in the City for the new recreation center, using $6 million from the Denver Better Bond Program approved by voters in 2007; a

Neighborhood Life City Park West • Whittier • San Rafael • Uptown • Curtis Park • Five Points

P.O. Box 18344, Denver, CO 80218 • LifeOnCapHill.com

Editorial

(Press releases, calendar listings, story ideas, news tips, etc.) DEADLINE IS THE 20TH OF APRIL FOR THE MAY ISSUE Email: Editor@LifeOnCapHill.com

PHOTO BY JEFF HERSCH

JURIAH AND SHANYN JAMMIN at last month’s Five Points Jazz Festival.

Display Advertising Phone: 303-831-8634 Email: Advertising@LifeOnCapHill.com

dog park and community garden have been temporary uses since the purchase. Proceeds from the sale of Market Street Station will be used to pay for the majority of the design and construction costs, supplemented by

Advertise in Neighborhood Life Shanna Taylor 303-831-8634 advertising@lifeoncaphill.com

Publishers Shanna Taylor Keith Taylor

Photographers Jeff Hersch Dani Shae Thompson

Editors Denny Taylor J. Patrick O’Leary

Printing Signature Offset

Advertising Shanna Taylor Steve Koehler

revenue from the city’s TABOR Special Revenue Fund. For more information, visit parks and recreation’s page at denvergov.org, and select “Central Denver Rec Center” under “Find a Recreation Center.”

Distribution ASAP Services

Writers Dina Berta D. Todd Clough Peg Ekstrand Nancy Foster Julie Hutchinson Peter Jones Linda Katchen Keith Lewis

Lokken Liane Jason McKinney J. Patrick O’Leary Christa T. Palmer J.L. Schultheis Price Caroline Schomp Denny Taylor Daniel Webster Jr.

Design & Production Tim Berland • J. Patrick O’Leary

RMCH 4 X5

■

Full Service ■

CHOCOLATE Tune-ups SPOKES Repairs 1X5

Small Parts Retail

Small Batch ■ Gourmet Chocolate ■

Ritual Nova Monda Raaka

2805 DOWNING ST. 303-292-1876

chocolatespokes.com

Neighborhood Life• JUNE 2015

JUNETEENTH Continued from page 1 and learning. The goals of YEZ are to encourage participation in youth-focused programming, develop skills necessary for positive civic engagement, create an environment in which civil service is valued, and foster new, positive, and sustainable relationships among Denver’s urban youth. The Juneteenth Music Festival will host the JMF Green Zone for a second year in recognition of the importance of the environment. The celebration will be held in historic Five Points on Welton. The Green Zone’s mission is to promote environmental awareness in the tradition and culture of Juneteenth, with such themes as freedom through knowledge, the notion of social justice, and the importance of community in overcoming adversity.

CBID Continued from page 1 bine and 14th to 16th in the Capitol Hill/Uptown neighborhoods – roughly from the Basilica to East High School – exists to promote economic vitality and advocate on behalf of the area businesses. A self-taxing government entity, formed in 1989, CBID has in recent years overseen improved street maintenance, installation of crime-deterring Halo cameras, historic street lights and new identity banners, and created events such as the Victorian Holiday House Tour, Root 40 Music Festival and a 9 Health Fair at the Fillmore Auditorium. A couple of weeks into the new position, Locantore took NL on a walk up Colfax to look at and talk about the avenue’s old public image and the reality of today, and his plans. In the coming weeks, he said he’d be doing even more walking, knocking on doors and handing out business cards to learn what people wanted to see done or not done. Locantore moved to Colorado in 1992 and quickly called Colfax and Capitol Hill home. After working with national non-profits in Canada and Washington, DC, in 2006 he returned to Denver with his wife Jill, an urban planner. They both became involved with local neighborhood groups, including Uptown on the Hill, Capitol Hill United Neighborhoods and Colfax on the Hill. He lived in Toronto’s “the Danforth” a – diverse neighborhood in Old Toronto lining Danforth Avenue – a locale he sees as what Colfax could be like in 20 years. “It’s shoulder to shoulder, brick and mortar businesses …. Coffee shops, butchers, bakers and candlestick makers, providing everything people need, all within walking distance,” he explained. “Colfax has those bones”

The Juneteenth Art Walk includes artwork on display from the areas most sought after artists. Art walk checklists are available and artists will be present to meet visitors. The art walk will be spread across three street blocks and includes several venues, and festival goers can enjoy different types of visual art from a variety of local artists. The Art Walk starts at 1 pm on Saturday. The Juneteenth Music Festival Urban Car Show features some of the region’s best automobiles on Sat, June 20 at 10 am. The show is a free event open to the general public. The car show this year will feature a Tesla provided by eThos Electric Car Share. There will be multiple divisions for competition and prizes. Competitors can register their vehicles at juneteenthmusicfestival .com/2015-vendor-payment/. More information for all events is available at juneteenth musicfestival.com. and CBID can help build on it. “That’s my vision, but I know it’s shared by many,” he explained. Improving communication is a priority. He plans to increase the frequency of the now-monthly CBID newsletter. The publication will continue to serve business owners and residents, but also promote resources for businesses, such as grant opportunities from the city and Small Business Administration loans, and activities and special events, as well as specials at local businesses. “One way to keep business improving is to get residents to frequent them,” he said. “It’s a message that needs to be cultivated.” Putting local businesses in contact with local residents for employment would benefit both. “But there’s a limit on what any BID can do,” he said. It can put in snazzy bike racks, like those in front of the Irish Snug, more inviting benches at bus stops, trash cans, and attractive lighting and banners. But ultimately property owners and businesses make the choice to rebuild, renovate or set up shop, and the public decides whether to show up. “Our job is to create a sense of place,” Locantore said. “It’s what makes a business, investor or consumer want to be here.” He’ll be doing that by continuing streetscape and façade improvements, and finding the funds for them. Businesses and property owners have been responding. At the intersection of Marion and Colfax, the old Smiley’s Laundromat is now gone. Nearby apartments have been redone. At Downing, where the No. 12 and 15 RTD bus routes cross, a new dental office is opening, with more development possible in the parking lot across the street. Caffe Sanora has moved farther west on the

PHOTO BY JEFF HERSCH

MICHAEL & TAYLOR GIVE THE FAMILIAR BOY SCOUT SALUTE in last years annual Juneteenth Parade.

RE FOR HOME 3 X 3 3/8

Brittany_NL_6x6.875.pdf 1 03/23/2015 2:00:01 PM

Short ER Wait Times

and great patient satisfaction scores, too too!

CMY

See CBID on page 15 K

20th Avenue & High Street PSL 3 X 6 7/8

Because we know every minute you wait, is another minute you’re worried. When it’s you or your loved one who needs emergency care, timing is everything. That’s why we’re proud to have short average ER wait times and great patient satisfaction scores, too. We’re right where you need us, when you need us, with the care you deserve.

Serving New Orleans Cuisine for lunch & dinner NOLA TAVERN Join us for happy hour. Mon-Sat 4-7 and all day Sunday 2XRandolph 2.5 2231 E. Bruce Ave 303-667-6792 720-389-9544 www.noladenver.com

Mention this ad and get $3.00 off your bar bill

Find our average ER wait times by texting “ER” to 23000. Message and data rates may apply.

Or visit us at www.PSLMC.com/ER

YOUR NEIGHBORS. YOUR ER.

Brittany, RN, BSN P/SL ER Nurse

Neighborhood Life• JUNE 2015

PHOTO BY JEFF HERSCH

WESTIN-DIA’S DESIGN DUBBED “BIRD IN FLIGHT.” The dip in the design provides a view of the airport for pilots.

The World Class WestinDIA Takes Flight By Nancy Foster

hile it's been a long time in the making, to witness the WestinDIA emerge onto Colorado's vast Eastern Plains is indeed exciting. The 519-room hotel is a prominent fixture on the landscape now, and has piqued the curiosity of the citizenry regarding the significance of the hotel's design. It took donning a hard hat, safety glasses, a flourescent yellow vest, gloves and pink rubber boots on a Mid-May tour of the active construction site, for me to learn the hotel's design has been dubbed, “Bird in Flight.” The dip in the design, we were told, provides a view of the airport for pilots. Some wags have instead referred to the 433,000 sq. ft., 14-story hostelry as either a Phoenix Rising from the ashes, a mustache, half of a bow tie, a

container ship or even the Mayflower, the vessel that carried the Pilgrims from England to the shores of New England in 1620. This isn't the first significant structure to grace Denver International Airport's property since its opening 20 years ago. Also creating buzz over the years, and continuing to do so, is Luis Jimenez's controversial fiery-eyed sculpture, “Blue Mustang.” In the end, its completion proved to be a tragedy for the artist, who was killed in 2006 after he was struck by a large piece of the giant 32 ft. high electric blue fiberglass artwork, which fell on Jimenez severing an artery in his leg. The new hotel and public plaza are scheduled to open in November and are a welcome and convenient addition for travelers coming and going from, or through “The Mile High City” or to other locales in the

2 Any Shoe Repair $ .00 3 Dry Cleaning $ .00 OFF

on sweaters (no limit!) Exp. 6/30/15

FULL SHOEHIGH REPAIR ST SERVICE Purses • Belts • Luggage • Zippers • Shoes 2X 2.5 Sandles • Buckles • Dog Leashes FREE SHOE SHINE with any order!

High Street Cobbler

1900 E. COLFAX AT HIGH • 303-333-4013 • 8am-6pm Mon.-Fri.

PHOTO BY JEFF HERSCH

WESTIN-DIA OUTDOOR GLASS COVERED PLAZA BETWEEN AIRPORT & HOTEL will include an area for relaxation, art displays, concerts, car shows and a farmer's market during good weather.

Rocky Mountain region. “Group bookings are already being made for early December,” said Susan Stiff, area director of public relations for Starwood Hotel and Resorts Worldwide, Inc. In her role, she represents the Sheraton Denver and Westin Denver, both downtown, and the Westin Denver International Airport locations. Individual bookings may be offered in late June or early July. For updates, go to www. starwoodhotels.com. In 2014, DIA was listed by the Federal Aviation Administration as the fifth busiest commercial airport in the US, and the 15 busiest worldwide. The airport generates more than $26 billion dollars annually for the state. It supports 188,000 jobs and is the main economic engine for the state according to information provided by Stiff. The much awaited transit center at DIA is another development in the forefront of people’s minds. This transportation link will bring RTD's East Rail directly into the hotel from downtown's Union Station in about 35 minutes, which includes five or six stops along the way. RTD buses will also provide transportation to the transit center on level one. That project is slated to begin functioning in the spring of 2016. During the tour, one could observe trial trains being operated on the property to work out mechanical kinks. Testing train functions is a safety requirement initiated oneyear prior to passengers being accepted for travel. “The operations and customer service RTD staff endorsed a one-way fare proposal (from downtown to the transit center) that will go to the RTD board

Shop for your home

in your home. WITH A

FREE CONSULTATION

Solar shades

Curtains & drapes

Budget Blinds offers energy-saving window BUDGET BLINDS treatments, including cellular shades, solar 3 X 3 3/8 shades, roman shades and hardwood shutters.

Custom wood shutters

30% OFF Select Window Treatments *excludes shutters

Schedule your FREE in-home consultation today.

720-490-2424 BUDGETBLINDS.COM *Offer not valid with any other offers. Offer good at time of initial estimate only. Offer good at participating franchises only. Each franchise independently owned and operated. Budget Blinds is a registered trademark of Budget Blinds, Inc. and a Home Franchise Concepts brand. Offer valid through 6/30/15.

May 26 for their approval,” said Bruce Abel, assistant general manager of RTD. But completing the construction of the new Westin and other ancillary projects hasn't been without its challenges. “Excavation began in December of 2011 and the first caissons for the building were poured in December of 2012,” disclosed Stiff. After much ballyhoo, the hotel's initial architect, Spaniard Santiago Calatrava, quit the project in 2011 due to “financial restraints, time delays and deep divisions between DIA, the architect's design team and Parsons Transportation Group, another entity which was collaborating on the project” said Robertina Calatrava, the architect's spouse and business partner at their firm, Festina Lente. The project, known as the South Terminal Redevelopment Program, budget was cut from $650 million, to $500 million, causing many changes to be implemented in order to attain those reduced numbers. Although some of the project's design has retained pieces of Calatrava's architectural flavor, his design for an arched commuter-rail suspension bridge was downgraded from $60 million to $22 million before that idea was dumped. Following Calatrava's departure, San Francisco-based Gensler stepped up as the project's new architect. The firm has numerous US offices, including one in Denver, and 16 global offices. Gensler is tasked with taking charge of the DIA-Westin, public open-air plaza and transit project as its construction manager and general contractor. To simplify procedures and insure a smooth operation, Saunders Construction, Inc., Mortenson Construction, Inc., and Hunt Construction Group formed Tri-Ventures with Textura, an Illinois-based firm that's coordinating numerous other complementary projects at the site. The $544 million project is on time, but after a risk assessment in 2013, the budget will have cost over runs between 5%-10%, said Heath Montgomery, public information officer at DIA. For a more esoteric peek into the project, let's take a look at the amenities the hotel will offer. Guest rooms will range in size between 600-1,100 sq. ft. and include 35 suites. Floorto-ceiling windows with threepaned thermal glass suspended on cables will shut out airplane traffic and train transit noise.

With guest well-being a centerpiece of Westin's philosophy, a restful, relaxing and quality customer service experience are values the hotel aspires to deliver. Views from the rooms include resplendent Front Range Mountains to the south and west and what seems like endless wide-open plains, which stretch lazily to the east. Some of the guest rooms face out onto DIA's white mountain “tents.” The “tents” are made of woven fiberglass, coated with Teflon and covered with two layers of fabric. It was produced by Birdair, Inc., a division of Corning in upstate New York. “It (the tents) is cleaned periodically with soap and water and (has) an over 50-year life span,” according to author Mike Rosso in his piece, “DIA: The Story Behind the Tents,” published in the September 2014 issue of Colorado Central Magazine. Known as the Jeppesen Terminal, the iconic tented structure has been DIA's crowning signature piece since it was built. It is named for a famous barnstormer and map maker, Elrey Jeppesen. The new hotel is designed to include a 37,000 sq. ft. conference center, with a grand ballroom and another smaller ballroom, both named for Colorado native tree species, the cottonwood and dogwood. Both ballrooms are divisible by two. Fifteen meeting/board rooms and break out rooms of various sizes and a pre-function room offer 19 total meeting rooms when the ballrooms are divided. They too, will bear the names of Colorado native trees. The hotel also touts a 10,000 sq. ft. pre-function area designed to provide an eye-popping three-story floor-to-ceiling glass curtain that's approximately 100-feet wide. Plenty of natural light will be provided outside the meeting rooms. The entire project must be certified according to the U.S. Green Building Council Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) program, as outlined for all new or renovated city buildings, according to the Mayor's Executive Order 123. TSA security sites are planned at the property, but will be installed at a yet to be undetermined date. Since there was only one construction elevator available during the tour, 10 hardy souls and two tour guides made the trek up and down many flights of stairs to see where the hotel's See WESTIN on page 15

Neighborhood Life• JUNE 2015

PHOTO BY JEFF HERSCH

THE BLACK AMERICAN WEST MUSEUM & HERITAGE CENTER is home to many artifacts from the days of the “Black Cowboys”.

Black American West Museum reveals summer schedule By Jason McKinney

he Black American West Museum & Heritage Center (BAWM), 3901 California, is offering an extensive summer activity schedule for those interested in learning more about African-American culture. Events include a book signing, the Juneteenth celebration and more. The BAWM was originally founded in 1971 by Paul W. Stewart in order to tell the story of Black Cowboys (according to Stewart, one out of three cowboys who helped to settle the American West were African-American), but has widened its scope and now informs visitors about early African-Americans who came west and became miners, soldiers, homesteaders, ranchers, blacksmiths, schoolteachers, lawmen and other professionals who were essential to the development of the American West. The museum is located in the former home of Dr. Justina Ford, the first licensed African-American doctor in the state of Colorado. By using such a hallowed setting to inform Coloradans and visitors to the

state about the part that African-Americans played in the development of it, a greater appreciation of their contribution can be realized. Here are the events that the BAWM is offering this summer to help do that: “Portraits of Purpose” Book Signing Sun., June 7, 2-4pm. Kenneth Cooper, Denver native and Pulitzer Prize winning journalist, will sign his book, Portraits of Purpose. Cooper has worked for the Washington Post, Boston Globe and St. Louis Post-Dispatch. A Manual High graduate and Washington University alumnus, Cooper was the youngest African-American recipient of the Pulitzer when he won it in 1984. His book, co-authored with Don West, is about iconic African Americans in Boston. Juneteenth Celebration in Five Points and at the BAWM Sat., June 20, 10 am-2 pm. Juneteenth commemorates the end of slavery in Texas in 1865, or more generally, the emancipation of African-American slaves throughout the Confederate South. The holiday has

PHOTO BY JEFF HERSCH

BEE ADMIRES HISTORICAL PHOTOS that line the halls of the Black American West Museum & Heritage Center.

been officially celebrated in most states since 1980 and prior to that, unofficially, since the Civil Rights Movement of the 1960s. It is celebrated every year in Five Points during the week of June 19th with a parade, pageant, and art walk and music festival, and although it is a separate event, it is also observed and celebrated at the BAWM. “Swinging Back to the Points” 1940s Fundraiser Sat., June 27, 7 pm-12 am at the Summit Conference & Events Center, 411 Sable. A fundraiser for the BAWM that celebrates the heyday of Five Points in the 1940s (considered to be the “the Harlem of the West”), this event is the museum’s biggest event of the year and is highly anticipated. “This is the most exciting event that the BAWM has had in quite some time, and we hope you think so as well. This is a totally themed event, with music, food, attire and decor all from the 1940s,” said Daphne Rice-Allen, Chair of the Board of the BAWM. Denver native, Purnell Steen and Le Jazz Machine will be the evening’s entertainment, and the BAWM is hoping that people join them to help celebrate and support African-American culture in the West. For more information and/or to purchase tickets, which are $49 a person, go to blackamericanwestmuseum .org or call 720-242-7428.

Independence Day Celebration Sat., July 4, 10 am-2 pm at the BAWM. The 29th Annual Colorado Black Arts Festival Fri., July 10 & Sat., July 11 & Sun., July 12: 10 am-8 pm in City Park. The Colorado Black Arts Festival showcases the creative talents of local, regional and national African-Americans in art and culture. There will be jazz, blues and reggae music, in addition to traditional African drum and dance. A family-friendly event, the CBAF has programming and activities for all ages.

The Saturday morning Boogaloo Celebration Parade is a perennial favorite and provides a colorful and exciting street celebration for all attendees. The Black American West Museum will have a booth there as well. Museum admission for the Friday and Saturday events is $10 for adults, $9 for seniors 55 and older, $8 for students, ages 13 to 18, or any age with a student ID, $6 for children, ages six to 12, and five and under is free. Sunday events are free because they do not include access to the museum.

Neighborhood-Life.com REBECCA & ASHLEY Denver’s Best Choice!

City Park West • San Rafael • Whittier • Uptown • Enterprise Hill • Curtis Park • Rhino

NEW LISTING!! REBECCA JONES Your Home 2X 2.5 Featured HERE Rebecca Jones-Egloff Broker Associate, M.Ed., CRIS P: 720-434-6415

We need your listing. Inventory is low and we have buyers!

Ashley Lorang Loan Officer P: 720-737-7010

Going Above and Beyond To Find Your Next Home since 2001

Life on Capitol Hill RMCH 4 X5

Target Your borhood Neigh XXXXXX 1X5 Audience... ADVERTISE! Steve Koehler 303-437-4671 steve@lifeoncaphill.com

Neighborhood Life• JUNE 2015

CREATOR CHRIS TAUB, LEFT, AND STAFF help customers sample their alcohol-infused ice creams at Twisted Cream, 833 Colorado Blvd.

CO-OWNER JAMIE WILLIAMS, LEFT, BREWED AT HOME FOR YEARS BEFORE OPENING CO BREW, 1100 BROADWAY, to help small brewers branch out and brew at a larger facility.

Business neighborhood

Article & Photos by JL Schultheis Price

Openings: Move over Tengu, there’s another new ramen shop in the ‘hood competing for the dining dollars of ramen fans. They are far more numerous than I’d realized and quite passionate about this Asian version of noodle soup. At 2611 Walnut next to Park Burger, Osaka Ramen opened in mid-May with chef and 2014 James Beard semi-finalist Jeff

Osaka at the helm. Fans of the now shuttered Twelve Restaurant on Larimer will recognize the name and applaud a new dining venue from one of the city’s renowned chefs. Osaka owns this venture with his former (and current) landlord, Ken Wolf. The business duo plan to open three more food spots in the coming months. The vibe is Tokyo Underground, Osaka said, adding that rents in Tokyo for ground level eateries are exorbitant which leads restaurateurs to inhabit lower levels. He’s candid about

the fact that many lower level restaurants struggle in Denver, but this space is his idea of how a true Japanese ramen shop would look. You enter on Walnut but descend down a long staircase to get to the eatery. The refurbished space was once a carpet manufacturer’s warehouse and where the stairs now are, the original plan called for a slide to move rolls of goods off the street fast. Twelve was a jewel box of a restaurant know for high-end dining. Highly regarded, it was

BRIARWOOD 3 X 3 3/8

YOUR NEIGHBORHOOD CLEANERS!

Vienna Cleaners

wn Uptao ne Cle

1656 Grant St. 303-830-6640

545 E. 19th Ave. 720-920-9219

UPTOWN 3 X 3 3/8

20% OFF

10% OFF

Excludes leathers, fur, alterations, shirt laundry, wedding gowns, storage and household items. Not valid with other offers. Coupon must accompany incoming order. Expires 6/30/15

Not valid with other offers. Coupon must accompany incoming order. Expires 6/30/15 Coupon May Be Used 3 Times.

ALL DRY CLEANING

LAUNDRY

20% OFF

ALL DRY CLEANING Excludes leathers, fur, alterations, shirt laundry, wedding gowns, storage and household items. Not valid with other offers. Coupon must accompany incoming order. Expires 6/30/15

Pickup and Delivery Accounts Available

not the sort of place most folks would dine several times a week. “We’ve only been open two weeks,” Osaka said of his new place. “We’ve already seen several people come in several times.” There’s something appealing about the skyline of Tokyo (complete with Godzilla) stenciled along the wall and the chef ’s eat bar, but it’s the food that pulls guests in repeatedly. “This is more fun,” Osaka said in comparing the new venture to Twelve. When I asked whether it was more fun for guests or for him, he responded, “Both, I think.” There are both traditional and non-traditional ramen dishes to choose from priced around $14 per bowl and those bowls are generous. Bento box meals are also available at the same price, plus smaller plates for snacking. “A lot of these things I actually ate growing up,” said Osaka whose family has lived in the US for three generations. Some of the plates are his take on his own mother’s cooking, including the bacon-fried rice he remembers eating on Saturday mornings. The Thai green coconut curry is made inhouse. Pork, chicken and vegetarian options are the backbone of the menu. Even dessert gets its due here. A panna cotta made with matcha green tea is one offering, and then there’s a tea cake with brown butter glaze and Earl Gray ice cream, but the big hit so far is Osaka’s take on donuts. They’re crafted from mochi and rice cakes rolled in sugar and salted butter. In addition to house cocktails, Osaka offers a wide range of sake and wines by the glass. If you’re seeking a bottle, he’s chosen to focus on Rieslings and Pinot Noirs since they complement the pork and chicken dishes best. Initial hours for the ramen shop are Tues. - Thurs., 5-10pm & Fri. - Sat., 5-11 pm, but on June 1, service switches to seven days a week with the addition of lunch from 11am-2pm weekdays. The number for reservations and info is 303-955-7938. Parking can be challenging at times in this area so Osaka has joined with other businesses in the building including Park Burger and Biju’s Lil Curry to offer free valet service at the corner of 26th and Walnut in the evenings. A second Osaka space is slated to open in Cherry Creek North (CCN) this summer. Osaka said it will be pretty similar,

but the menu will be smaller because of space constraints. He’s still working on the interior design elements, but expects it will have a similar feel to reflect Tokyo nightlife. Fat Jack’s is now open next to Spanagalang Brewery in Five Points giving beer fans another food option adjacent to Five Points’ new microbrewery. The address is 2736 Welton. Both businesses opened shop in the Five Points Plaza complex that until recently housed offices for the Dept. of Motor Vehicles. Fat Jack’s is situated in the former Lit Tattoo spot and has incorporated a huge tattoo sign and some DVM art into its décor. This is the sixth Jack’s location; the first on Lafayette just north of Colfax started in 2000. Owner Kyle Fabra likes each of his locations to reflect its neighborhood. Irreverent and edgy are two words that define his non-corporate approach to casual eats. Thus, the Five Points neighborhood proved irresistible to Fabra. “Up here, it’s a whole ‘nother world,” he said. “A lot of good things happening. It’s been great synergy so far (being next to Spangalang).What differentiates us is the quality of food we deliver for the price.” Jack’s offers a total of 23 different entrees including both subs and clubs. The latest is the Gandolfini featuring Polidori Spiced Italian sausage. In addition to delivery with no minimum order, Jack’s is open late at its other locations and will soon roll out late night hours here. For now, the hours are 10 am-10 pm weekdays & 11 am-10 pm weekends. By July the store expects to be open until 3 am Thurs.-Sat. This is good news not only for sandwich cravings, but one can also buy Little Man ice cream by the pint here. For those who don’t know, Little Man is a LoHi sensation that wraps lines around its milk can-shaped building daily. Jack’s and Little Man have been partnering since March and the creamery is working on a Fat Jack’s flavor both can purvey. Fat Jack’s number is 720726-6021 and Fatjackssubs.com is the website. The first business to open in a new development in the 2600 block of Larimer is Haven Nail Salon at #2611. Owner, Rebecca Rogers, was a bit surprised to find herself in this business. “I was not in the salon business. I was selling media software. We live in Curtis Park

Neighborhood Life• JUNE 2015

WHILE FANS OF THE BREW PUB ACROSS THE PLAZA will welcome the new Fat Jack’s Sub shop to Welton, fans of Little Man ice cream will love the availability of that craft product by the pint. and we were witnessing all the growth here, and we knew we should start a business,” she said. Rogers’ goal was a super clean salon that didn’t look like a salon. She scored on both points. Haven has all the nail tools sterilized in an autoclave. Rogers also designed separate bowls for pedicures that are easier to clean than jetted tubs. “You don’t really need the jets,” she said. “That’s just spreading around bacteria.” She named the shop Haven to reflect the respite she wanted to offer. It includes heated neck wraps, beverages and a small selection of boutique items for sale. She opened her doors in late April and offers services to both men and women. Rogers hired some seasoned personnel and she seems to be enjoying the venture so far. “It’s fun. It’s interesting. It’s different. I’m hiring more people,” she said. In addition to personal services, Rogers is about to host her first corporate event – a teambuilding effort for a local firm. Hours are Tues. - Thurs., 10 am-7 pm, Fri., 9 am-7 pm & weekends, 9 am-5 pm. Haven 80205.com is the web address and the number’s 303-656-7008. Further north on Walnut, the EXDO Events and Tracks Nightclub group has opened a new bar dubbed Lounge35. “Lounge35 is the newest

addition to the EXDO Campus. We’ve added a giant garage door facing Walnut, and have created a bar with a rustic-industrial feel that really speaks to the RiNo neighborhood,” said spokeswoman Kaylee Maresh. Currently Lounge35 is only open on Fridays from 5-9 pm. Eventually, Wednesdays will be added. At 9 pm, Tracks opens and the space can become an overflow area, but I bet Lounge35 with its ping pong tables, fresh air and bright red decor will find its own following. Happy Hour runs until 7 pm when the lounge is open. It includes local beers, crafted mules and an assortment of other cocktails. Prices start at $5 for the establishment’s RiNo Mule. The address is 3500 Walnut and this is also Tracks’ 35th anniversary year, so that helps explain the new venue’s name. Lounge35 also comes from being on 35th street. The number is 303-468-5443. “We’re excited to be a new addition to the already wonderful RiNo neighborhood,” said Maresh. Around the corner and down the block, MANNA Pilates is now open. The address is 2815 Larimer. Owner Jill Economakos has been dancing since age 4 and danced professionally all over the world. In 2007, she transitioned to Pilates and was certified as an instructor that same

A LINE CHEF REACHES FOR ONE OF THE LARGE SERVING BOWLS used to dish up ramen and other eats at Osaka Ramen, 2611 Walnut. The eatery is down under to capture the Tokyo Nightlife vibe.

year. “I love the vibrant, creative energy of this district. Having moved here from Chicago, it reminded me a bit of home. All of the businesses are very supportive of one another, which helps create a stronger synergy,” she said of her new home. Classes include Pilates mat, barre, yoga, and various core style classes. A new schedule rolls out this month and may contain more afternoon and early evening times. “Pilates creates a body similar to the energy of a tree: strongly rooted, while lengthening the spine towards the sky! There is an old Greek myth about the stars connecting with the trees to make a magical tree sap, called Manna,” Economakos said of her business name. Here the focus is on individual attention. Pilate’s equipment-based sessions are only offered for private or duet lessons. No class exceeds eight participants.

“At MANNA Pilates, we believe attention to detail, quality of movement, and individual modifications are the key to obtaining your goals,” she said. The web address is manna pilates.com for class information and scheduling. The number to reach Economakos is 773-5506505. With more and more people choosing to live in RiNo, it’s no surprise that storage space is also booming. ExtraSpace Storage just opened a huge new three-story facility at 3270 Blake. It’s the third Denver location for this storage company and the firm is currently offering a discount if you rent online. The web address is extrastorage.com. The gated facility is accessible seven days a week. Office hours are weekdays, 9:30 am-6 pm & Sat., 9 am-5:30 pm. The number for potential customers to call is 855-802-6540. Lumin Station has hung out a shingle just north of Til

DENVE RMATH 3 X 6 7/8

KAVOD SENIRO 2X 5

Death, the tattoo salon I wrote about last month. Located at 3047 Larimer, it’s a web design, communications and marketing firm. The number is 720-663-7644. This next new biz has no permanent address but it’s worth investigating if you see the big red truck. Lobster Bliss is Colorado's new source for “ultra-fresh, sustainable lobsters and seafood” from local fishermen and responsible suppliers around the globe according to the company. It launched a food truck in late May and also runs a wholesale business. What makes this crustacean crew different is their effort to duplicate conditions from the east coast in our land-locked state. The company owns a 2,500-gallon tank that maintains water at 45 degrees and completely filters it every 15 minutes, creating a stable, conSee BUSINESS on page 8

Neighborhood Life• JUNE 2015

AN AFTERNOON HANGOUT, LOUNGE35 AT 3500 WALNUT features RiNo Mules and other adult beverages every Friday 5-9 pm.

Business Continued from page 5 trolled and clean environment for the lobsters to thrive. It’s a unique filtration system designed to mimic the action of the

ocean and eliminate harmful elements. “There are only 300 such tanks in North America, and Lobster Bliss is the exclusive provider for the state of Colorado. You can really taste the difference this low-bacterium,

THE PEDICURE AREA AT HAVEN NAIL SALON, RIGHT, features removable soaking tubs that can be scrubbed well between patrons & the manicurists utilize higher-end, products for customers.

sustainable environment brings out in the seafood. There's a sweet taste and succulence you only find in lobsters fresh off the dock,” said Rich Manzo, co-founder and CIA-trained head chef who partners with Jeff Reebie in the venture.

The truck will serve signature lobster rolls, seared sea scallop rolls served on a brioche bun, homemade bisque, lobster tacos, and a fresh ahi Tuna sandwich with red onion marmalade and scratch-made coleslaw. It is slated to appear every Tuesday

A School of Excellence For Young Children and Families

Currently enrolling for Summer & Fall 2015 5-star Qualistar Rated Preschool (one of only 3 in Denver)

Ages 2½-5 Years Full Day Programming Educational Curriculum Culture, Music and Yoga Spanish Lessons Science & Nature Visual Arts & Healthy Cooking Health and Physical Education EARLY EXCELLENCE 4 X10

3580 Franklin Street 720-404-1214 • 720-621-8575 www.eepdenver.org • Mon-Fri 7:30am-5:30pm

at Civic Center Eats from 11 am-2 pm and also hopes to locate at the Big Wonderful every Saturday at 26th and Lawrence in Curtis Park. As a lobster lover, I was intrigued to know what jump-started this concept. “Last summer I was at a family vacation in New Hampshire and we ate three times at a local lobster shack,” said Reebie. He wondered why Denver could not have an option for fresh lobster at a lower price. Already some of the area’s top restaurants, including Fruition and Il Posto, have become eager wholesale clients. Reebie and Manzo envision a fleet of trucks soon, and they’re already actively scouting for a restaurant space for their New England experience. Company trucks will cater too, bringing Maine lobster bakes to your event. You can call 303-437-3282 or visit lobsterbliss.com to track the truck as it travels around town to craft breweries, special events and other stops. At 1100 Broadway to the south, another new Colorado business has opened its doors promising to teach you how to make your own beers – a concept that could appeal to many RiNo or Curtis Park craft brew fans. CO Brew Supply is the vision of Jamie Williams and his wife, Janna. The front of the shop is dedicated to home brewer equipment. But this doit-yourself supplier has other facets. In back, there’s a fully licensed taproom where Jamie sells draft beer by the pint. That means the entire store carries a brewery license. There’s also equipment to brew on site – a great deal for brewers who are tight on space. “We live in a condo in Uptown,” Jamie said. “It’s really hard to do our own brewing there.” It’s nice to have a pint and play some board games while you kill a couple hours waiting for your batch to brew. You can prep up to 20 gallons at a time and also bottle or create custom labels. The Wilsons also have a temperature-controlled area where that batch can ferment on site. Even local brewpubs have become William's customers since his May 1 open. It’s a strong option when brewers run out of a key ingredient unexpectedly. “We have a huge selection. We have 60 malts currently,” he explained. Most of the beer on tap comes from Williams’ own stock. When

Neighborhood Life• JUNE 2015 I stopped by there were seven selections on tap with a smoked porter coming soon. Classes are also available. They’ll use the large area of tables in back that are also open for board games during a brewing session. There is parking behind the store; just turn in before you hit CO Brew. Hours are Tues. Thurs., 10 am-7 pm, Fri. - Sat., 10 am-10 pm & Sun., 11 am-5 pm. The number is 720-4854959 and cobrewdenver.com is the website to sign up for classes or learn more. Not all folks like their alcohol in a pint glass however so this next new biz is getting a lot of second looks. If you haven’t already heard about Twisted Cream, you will soon. The name intrigues almost as much as the concept – alcohol-infused ice cream. Like most unusual business concepts, there’s a great story here. “The vision of Twisted Cream was born in downtown Denver one late night several years ago. I came home to my apartment in LoDo after a night out with friends and opened my freezer and (saw) a bottle of tequila by some key lime ice cream. I thought margarita ice cream sounds amazing!” said founder and co-owner Chris Taub. After mixing the two ingredients together, Taub was left holding a bowl of slush. “After that I did a lot of market research to realize that kind of product doesn't exist. Getting this final product where it is today was complicated. A lot of liquor was wasted in the process,” he added. “Using my science background from San Diego State, after 16 months or so, I had a product that could be called alcohol-infused ice cream.” Additional challenges followed, including the opening of a flagship store in the 800 block of Colorado. “This neighborhood is a perfect fit for Twisted Cream because there's not a lot of close options for ice cream, and the store layout was perfect for our vision,” he said. “We have had a lot of challenges with this project, but the one that really sticks out is figuring out if we needed a liquor license,” Taub added. The final answer was no

need for a license. Although the company promises a full shot in every large serving, it’s still considered food not alcohol at 6% by volume. Dirty Mint Chip and Irish Whiskey ice cream are just two of the flavors. Cosmo and Mojito sorbet are also on the menu with more flavors to come including a milk stout. Future plans include a remodel over the winter and application for that liquor license so that Twisted can create an adult dessert lounge bar with local live music. “The proof is in the ice cream” is the company slogan but there are exceptions. Even with alcohol in the mix, Twisted is still family friendly as most of the flavors are available without booze for the kiddies. Located in the former Heidi’s Deli space, Twisted offers a cool, refreshing space the company hopes will be inviting for community meetings and other events. The number for Twisted Cream is 303-321-3746 and twistedcreamcolorado.com is the website. Hours are Mon. Thurs., noon-9 pm, Fri. - Sat., noon-10 pm & Sun., 11 am-10 pm. As Denver becomes a more walkable and bikeable city, there are new tools for folks who want to hoof it. Letswalkto.com is a website that lets you put in your address and how far you’re willing to walk, then lets you search nearby restaurants, dog groomers, nail salons and more. I found it a bit quirky at times because I sure could not walk to a groomer in Thornton, but for some searches it’s a tool that may help you get fit while supporting local businesses.

Changes: All aboard for the next tour of the RiNo Brewery Loop! This area is hell bent on becoming the craft brew capitol of Colorado, but it’s not too late for your chance to become the area’s next big brewer. Brew-n-Q shop at 2801 Walnut (entrance off 28th at the alley) is now offering beginner classes in June. There are two dates – the 12th and the 24th from 6-9 pm. Classes cost $15. “Join us for a complete brew

session! Not a demo – we talk, you brew,” the class announcement stated. “We discuss terminology, methodology, science and equipment needed for successful home brewing. Sign up at brewnq.com or phone the shop at 303-292-2739. Brew-n-Q is also hosting its 2nd Homebrew Competition and has teamed with Mockery Brewing in RiNo for an American Homebrewers’ Association sanctioned competition later this month. If you already have the goods, the entry fee is just $7. Entries can be submitted at Brew-n-Q or at Mockery, 3501 Delgany off Brighton. The winner gets to brew full-scale at Mockery and entries are due by June 14. Call 303-292-2739 for more. For lovers of the grape, Wine & Whey at 3559 Larimer is now officially a winery. Wine & Whey offers classes in both cheese making and wine production. Like CO Brew, the company will age your product in-house if you prefer. “While

our wines age in our barrels, we will be selling select Colorado wines by the glass or bottle. Stop by for a taste!” the company’s announcement said. A good time to drop in is First Fridays. Store hours are Tues. - Sat., 10 am-7 pm. The phone number’s 303-325-3831. Get your fleak on, June 27 & 28, when Denver Flea hosts its summer event. At press time, the location of the next Flea was not known but April’s event was a crush. A number of RiNo merchants were involved. You can check out where the next event pops up by checking out denverflea.com. Yes, it’s possible to be happier than you currently are. At least that’s the opinion at Lower48 Bar at 2020 Lawrence, which just launched new ‘happier’ hours. Deals are available from 5-7 pm Monday through Saturday. Those deals include discounts on their ‘each’ menu items plus lower cost drafts, bottled beer, wine and cocktails. The adjoining Lower48

Kitchen has changed its summer hours to be closed both on Sunday & Monday through Labor Day. Lower48kitchen.com has the full menu and their number is 303-942-0262. It’s been almost a year since Craftsman & Apprentice opened its doors at 1345 E. 22nd. Now the ‘learn by doing’ crafts teachers are offering summer classes that will captivate your kids (and get them out of your hair for a time). Each session runs a full week and the topics include cool tools, cardboard creations and ancestral skills. All classes are scheduled in the month of July. Details and prices are available at craftsmanandapprentice.com.

Closings: Once again, I ran across no closings to write up here and it’s not surprising. This neighborhood is on fire. Send biz news to jeanne@lifeoncaphill.com.

WALNUT LIQUORS 3729 Walnut • 720-379-6617 • facebook.com/Walnut Liquors Open 7 days a week 11:30 am - midnight

WALNUT LIQUORS 3 X 3 3/8

CRAFT beer

great wine selection

Drop in and say the magic phrase "hood livin" and get 10% off

Brunch on Sundays from 10am-2pm

Happy Hour Everyday from 2:30pm-6:30pm $3.50 Pints $5 Select Wine $1 off Dunbar Cocktails DUNBAR HH Food Menu 3 X 6 7/8

$10 Lunch Special CO FRESH2X 5

Choice of 3 sandwiches, Fries, and Fountain Drink for $10

2844 WELTON ST Free 2 hour parking all times out front

720.630.7641 DunbarKitchenandTaphouse.com

Neighborhood Life• JUNE 2015

Eat & Drink The Elixir of Success: Happy Leaf Kombucha By Daniel Webster Photos By Dani Shae Thompson

enni Lyons and Mike Burns present themselves in a very Denverish way – a laid back and friendly de-

meanor that belies the sweat and toil they’ve put in to break through the kombucha market. To make the fermented beverage one needs tea, sugar, water, and a fishy-sounding thing called a SCOBY (Symbiotic Colony of

DENVER RECYCLES 2X 10

Bacteria and Yeast). The simple brew is high in probiotics and demand. It’s expected to be a $500 million industry by the end of FY 2015 according to the NASDAQ. Yet Lyons and Burns of Happy Leaf Kombucha didn’t expect this effervescent drink to take as well as it did just three short years ago. “We decided to bring it to a little market at the Denver Art Society and it went really well, and it kept snowballing from there,” said Lyons. “After a summer’s worth of farmers markets, local stores started picking it up, Natural Grocers then Whole Foods. Mike and I thought it would be a seasonal business. ‘We’ll do farmers markets in the summertime and go to a warm a place in the winter’.” “Not so much,” Burns adds. After the first season of farmers markets, customers were wondering where they would top off their kombucha growlers. The good karma continued after the photography studio in the front part of their warehouse vacated. They moved into the space immediately, quickly constructing a makeshift filling station. “This was very basic. We didn’t have furniture in here for six months. The bar was plywood, but people just kept coming in and filling their growlers. Then, people wanted to hang out,” said Burns. The founders’ complimentary skill set is a perfect blend for a kombucha company: healing and brewing. Lyons comes from a holistic healing background and asserts that kombucha played an enormous role in remedying health problems in her late teens and early 20s. After becoming a holistic healing practitioner, she integrated the drink into her clients’ plans. “I think it got lost in the ‘80s and ‘90s holistic health practices,” she laughs, suggesting there might be other things that got lost during that early period of natural food and health development. “But I’m so glad I was able to use it as part of my work with clients,” she said.

Mike doesn’t hide his excitement about his past life – brewing. His origin story began at Twisted Tree Brewing, working in the kitchen, and through osmosis he began to learn the ins-and-outs of brewing equipment, terminology and process. All were translatable skills he relates, since most of the equipment necessary for brewing kombucha is similar to that for beer. He’s especially proud that brewers are mixing Happy Leaf into specialty brews. For example, one of Larimer’s more recent beer-centric additions at Ratio Beerworks is serving up a Mango Rose Kombucha Saison, and The Lobby serves a Mimosa with kombucha during brunch. With the recent addition of the kitchen, Burns is in his element. “Lots of different experimentation with fermented foods. Just being able to do beverages with our original license was a little restrictive. Having a restaurant license means we now can experiment with a lot more foods,” he articulated. The cafe style menu they devised is “all things meant to evoke conversation and sharing,” Burns said. As I munch on the pickle plate with my photographer, our probiotic voyage is a rewarding one: the beets, red onions, pickles, asparagus, and kraut do not bite, and almost taste fresh from the garden. The flight of kombucha contains a colorful wheel of flavor varieties: Lemongrass Mint, Grape Cherry, Ginger Beer (which is actually kefir, another type of fermented drink), Longevity, and Cranberry Lavender. While each are rewarding

JAKES 2X 5

to the taste buds, for beginners I recommend the Lemongrass Mint and Ginger Beer, which are smooth and slightly sweet. The Longevity has a more pronounced tart taste, a more traditional kombucha experience, and might take a few sips before your palate acclimatizes. What I will say is that Happy Leaf Kombucha is wonderfully creative and is understandably fresher than the variety of store brands gracing the shelves at grocery stores around Denver. If you’re a beginner to the kombucha craze, Happy Leaf has happy hour on Tuesday with two dollar glasses, a most reasonable price for this beverage. It’s a dynamic liquid though, on tap at many a restaurant and coffee shop around D-town. And with a liquor license pending, the couple is preparing to slot in some beer taps for the taproom. In that unflappable way, Lyons exclaims, “We’re just trying to go with the flow, and take what we’ve built in the taproom, and make it really cool and awesome.” So far, so great, for Happy Leaf. To Note: If you want to learn about fermentation processes, the Fermentation Festival is on tap for August 9th and 10th this year. Go to www.fermentationfestival.com/ for more info. Lyons hosts Homebrew Kombucha Classes each month. The next one is on Saturday, June 13th from 7 - 9 p.m. at the taproom. 3519 Brighton Mon. - Sun., 11:30 am - 6 pm www.happyleafkombucha.com

CAFE UNTIED 1X5

Neighborhood Life• JUNE 2015

Calendar neighborhood

Neighborhood Calendar listings are free. Local, special, free & non-profit events are given priority. Mail to P.O. Box 18344, Denver, CO 80218 or email to Editor@LifeOnCapHill.com. Deadline: 20th of current month for next month’s listings. Note that NL is published on the first Wednesday of the month. Readers are advised to call the appropriate number to verify dates & times. The calendar is also available at Neighborhood-Life.com.

COMMUNITY TUESDAY, JUNE 2 & JULY 7: Free Day, Denver Children’s Museum, 2121 Children’s Museum Dr. Call 303-433-7444. Adults and children are free, families play free on the 1st Tues. of each month 4-8 pm. TUESDAY, JUNE 2 & 16: Corona MOPS, a faith-based moms’ group offering friendship & support, 9-11:30 am, Corona Presbyterian Church, 1205 E. 8th. Open to any woman pregnant or with a child kindergarten age or younger; child care & brunch provided. Call 303-8322297. FRIDAY, JUNE 5 & JULY 3: Community Resources Forum, 9-10:30 am, Sterne-Elder Room of Exempla St. Joseph Hospital, Russell Pavilion, 19th & Lafayette. Free Continental breakfast, varying presentations. Free parking in Humboldt Garage off 20th. Continues the 1st Fri. of every month. Call 303866-8889. FRIDAY, JUNE 5 & JULY 3: Free Day, Four Mile Historic Park, 715 S. Forest. 1st Fri. of every month is free. Call 720865-0800. SATURDAY, June 6: Free Day, adults & children, the Denver Art Museum, 13th & Acoma, 10 am-5 pm. Call 720865-5000. General admission is free every day for kids all ages under 18.

SATURDAY, JUNE 6: Community Awareness Program, Counterterrorism Education Learning Lab (CELL), 99 W. 12th, 6-8 pm. Call 303-844-4000, ext. 8.

SATURDAY, JUNE 6-7: Denver Chalk Art Festival on Larimer Square is a free twoday street-painting festival. More than 200 artists spend hours that weekend turning the streets into a museum of chalk art. The event showcases six madonnari (professionals in this medium); all are award-winning street painters including first place finishes in the International Street Painting Competition in Grazie di Curtatone, Italy. • Capitol Hill People’s Fair is celebration of Denver's diverse urban community, the fair is a great weekend of entertainment with events, activities and attractions suitable for all the entire family. As one of the leading arts and crafts events in the region, visitors have the opportunity to buy all manner of wonderful creations from homemade cakes and jams to individually designed jewelry or one-off paintings. There's also a full entertainment program which includes live music, street theatre, juggling, children's acts and other attractions. Civic Center Park on Sat., June 6, 10 am-8 pm & Sun., June 7, 10 am-7 pm. Admission to the Fair is always free. TUESDAY, JUNE 9: Venture Prep High School invites interested students and families to hear more about our successful college-prep program. Learn how we achieve 100% college acceptance and find out how you can be a part of our community in the 2015-16 school year. Tuesday, June 9, 6-7 pm at 2540 Holly.

Weds. & 9 am-12 pm Sat.

FRIDAY, JUNE 12: GOP Monthly Breakfast at Pete's Greek Town Cafe, 2910 Colfax at 7 am. Great speakers & conservative camaraderie. Please RSVP, so we can plan appropriately. No need to pay in advance, but please order breakfast to support Pete's. Individual checks. Starts 7 am & order by 7:20 am so speaker is not interrupted. Repeated 2nd Fri. of the month. Online registration required. SUNDAY, JUNE 14: Celebrate Flag Day and fly the colors of the US. SATURDAY, JUNE 20: The 21st Westword Music Showcase is rattling the city with indie pop, electronica, rock beats, and more from Noon-10 pm. More than 100 musicians will jam out at Golden Triangle district venues in celebration of the city’s largest one-day music festival. SATURDAY, JUNE 20-21: Denver PrideFest in Civic Center Park, a celebration of community and culture – and fun! – to all attendees, regardless of sexual orientation. Free, two day festival.

THE DENVER ART MUSEUM presents 'Creative Crossroads: The Art of Tapestry.' Stimulate the imagination by viewing the myriad ways in which the sublime art of weaving is applied around the world. 100 W. 14th, through Mar. 6, 2016, price included with general admission. 720-9130130; denvermuseum.org TUESDAY, JUNE 23: Denver Metro Young Republicans holds its General Meetings and Happy Hours on the fourth Tuesday of each month, starting at 5:30 p.m. with an informal social hour. The official meeting begins at 6:30 p.m. and features a speaker or panel discussion. Cap City Tavern, 1247 Bannock Street. For information call 720931-8888 .

SUNDAY, JUNE 21: Father’s Day. Be sure to honor your Father today.

WEDNESDAY, June 24: Bike to Work Day, breakfast station at CU, corner of 18th & Grant. Free food & goodies for bicyclist.

SUNDAY, JUNE 21: Summer Solstice, first day of summer & longest day of the year.

MONDAY, JUNE 29: Free Day, Denver Museum of Nature & Science, 2001 Colorado,

WEDNESDAYS & SATURDAYS: 16th & Josephine Recycling Center open 3-6 pm

ARGYKLE 3 X 6 7/8

VENTUR EPREP 2X 5

10 am-5 pm. Call 303-322-7009. Call 303-832-5000. FRIDAY, JULY 3 - SUNDAY JULY 5: Cherry Creek Arts Festival, from 2nd to 3rd Avenues, on the seven streets between Columbine and Steele. This free, outdoor extravaganza the city's signature cultural celebration of the visual, performing and culinary arts - gives visitors the chance to meet and talk with international visual artists, enjoy a wide range of family friendly fun. Experience Artivity Avenue, a full block of interactive activities perfect for youngsters See CALENDAR on page 12

Neighborhood Life• JUNE 2015

Calendar

Church, 3240 Adams. For relatives raising children. Repeated 1st Thurs. of every month.

Continued from page 11 and visit the Cultural Pavilion, where music, dance and theater from around the globe will be presented. Culinary Avenue features tasty treats and live cooking demonstrations from some of Denver's most popular eateries. SATURDAY, JULY 4: Park Hill 4th of July Parade is back, on 23rd from Dexter to Krameria. This free community-friendly event will again be marching along 23rd Avenue on Independence Day. This year's parade promises to be bigger than ever before, with marching bands, acrobats and festive floats. SUNDAYS, JUNE & JULY: Free City Park Jazz at City Park Bandstand,17th & Colorado Blvd. There’s no better way to end the long weekend than with a free concert in City Park. City Park Jazz takes place every Sunday evening in June & July, 6-8 pm.

FAMILY TUESDAYS: “Book Babies,” a language enrichment program for babies age six to 23 months, 10:30 am, Children’s Library of the Denver Public Library, 13th & Broadway. Call 720-865-1306. • Young Children’s Storytime, The Tattered Cover, Colfax & Elizabeth, 10:30 am. Free. Different topic each week. Call 303-322-1965, ext. 2731. THURSDAY, JUNE 4: Macedonia Kinship Care Group, 1-3 pm at Macedonia Baptist

FRIDAY, JUNE 5 & 19: Together Colorado, 9-11:30 am, Corona Presbyterian Church, 1205 E. 8th. For pregnant women & mothers of preschoolers to five years old. Brunch, speakers, childcare provided. First visit free. Repeated every 1st & 3rd (& 5th) Fri. of the month. Call 303-832-2297. FRIDAYS: Bilingual Storytime, Ford Library, 28th & High, 10:30 am. Call 720-865-0920. FRIDAY, JUNE 5 & JULY 3: Free Day, Four Mile Historic Park, 1st Fri. of every month is free. 715 S. Forest. Call 720-8650800. SATURDAYS: “Story Hour in City Park,” free story hour with celebrity readers for kids three to seven, 10 am outside the Bible House, 21st & York on the west side of City Park. Through June. Cookies & lemonade. Call 303-931-0740. SATURDAYS & SUNDAYS: “Story Time in the Gardens,” 10-11 am, Victorian Secret Garden, Denver Botanic Gardens, 1005 York. Continues every Sat. & Sun. through July 26. Regular admission. Call 720865-3544. SUNDAY, JUNE 21: Father’s Day. Be sure to honor your Father today. SATURDAY, JULY 4: “Let’s Make History” Family Days at the Colorado History Museum, 13th & Broadway, 11 am-3 pm. Celebrate the Fourth of July with glitter fireworks, the Amer-

Now Taking Top Quality Spring Consignmen ts ACT II 2XClothing, 2.5 New and Near-New Women’s Jewelry, Accessories, Home Decor & Vintage

1244 E. Colfax at Lafayette 303-832-0783 www.myact2.com MON-SAT 9AM-6PM • SUN 11AM-4PM

ican flag and lemonade in Celebrate Colorado. Hands-on activities, children under 12 free. Call 303-866-4686.

EVENTS JUNE, WEEKDAYS: Create Great Credit, a free class at Denver Community Credit Union, 1041 Acoma. Registration required: denvercommunity.coop/clearmoney. MONDAY, JUNE 1, 15 & 29: Skyline Toastmasters meet at 6:30 pm in the 11th fl. conference rm. of Kaiser Permamente, 2045 Franklin. Visitors welcome. Repeated the 1st & 3rd Mon. of every month. Call 303-778-0064. MONDAY, JUNE 15: Monthly meeting of the Denver Garden Club, 7 pm, 1556 Emerson. Member, Colo. Federation of Garden Clubs. All welcome. Repeated 3rd Mon. of every month. Call 303-320-5983. WEDNESDAY, JUNE 3 : Rotary Club of Five Points Cultural District meets 6-7 pm, Fluid meeting spaces, 501 E. 19th at Pennsylvania. New members welcome. • Kiwanis Club of Denver, 12-1:30 pm, Maggiano’s at the Denver Pavilions, 16th & Glenarm. Program varies weekly. • Free Legal Night at El Centro de San Juan Diego, 2830 Lawrence. 20 volunteer lawyers, one-on-one consultations, 5:30-7 pm. First come, first serve. Spanish/English provided. Repeated the 1st Weds. of every month. Call 303-573-1302. • Monthly meeting of Democratic Party of Denver House District 5, Colorado Democratic Party HQ, 789 Sherman, 7- 9 pm. Repeated 1st Weds. of every month, varying location. Call 303-830-8242. THURSDAYS: Fillmore Community Network, focuses on sustainability, 7:30 - 9 am, 1633 Fillmore, 1st fl. conference rm. Location changes monthly. Call 303-399-2100. • Denver Socrates Cafe meets at 7pm, Trinity United Methodist Church, 18th & Broadway, to discuss a variety of important topics. Free. Call 303861-1447 THURSDAY, JUNE 4: Monthly meeting of Parents & Friends of Lesbians & Gays (PFLAG), 6:30 pm, Montview Blvd. Presbyterian Church, 1980 Dahlia. Repeated 1st Thurs. of every month with a different topic. Call 303-573-5861.

SOUTHSIDE 2X 5

FRIDAY, JUNE 5 : Community Resources Forum, 9-10:30 am, Sterne-Elder Room of Exempla St. Joseph Hospital, Russell Pavilion, 19th & Lafayette. Free Continental breakfast, varying presentations. Free parking in Humboldt Garage off 20th. Continues the 1st Fri. of every month. Call 303-866-8889. THURSDAY JUNE 18: Monthly meeting of Financially Fit Females, 6 pm., 3rd Thurs. First meeting free, location & topic change monthly. Call 303993-3939. FRIDAYS: “Thrillspeakers” Toastmasters, noon - 1 pm, Webb Building, 201 W. Colfax, Rm. 414. Call 720-209-2896. • Denver IDEA Cafe, a business start-up & brainstorming group, 2 pm, Panera Bread, 1350 Grant. Guest Speakers.

PLINTH GALLERY presents 'The Slipcast Object Revisited' featuring the unusual and complex work of David Bogus, Angela Mellor & Peter Saenger. These fascinating and beautiful pieces will inspire one to linger with them. 3250 Brighton through July, 303-295-0717; plinthgallery.com Free. Call 303-861-1447.

pm. Free. Call 303-623-0524.

SUNDAYS: Meditation and Kirtan. Every Sunday at 4 pm at 854 Pearl Street. Childcare provided. For more info call Ed 720-810-9071.

JUNE 11-27: “Chicanos Sing the Blues,” Written and Directed by Anthony J. Garcia, Su Teatro Cultural & Performing Arts Center, 721 Santa Fe. Tickets $15 & $28. Matinee Performance 6/27 at 2 pm. Call 303444-7328.

ARTS DAILY: Angel is a video currently on view at the DAM that explores the theme of religion and features Mark Wallinger playing Blind Faith, his sightless alter ego. The artist is seen repeatedly reciting – backwards – the first five verses of St. John's Gospel from the King James version of the Bible. The spectator is asked to consider religious belief in a realm beyond the visible. Daily thru December. Included in general admission. MONDAYS: Bridge Group, 12:30 - 3:30 pm, & Movie Night Mondays, 6:30 pm, both at Coffee at the Point, 27th & Welton, free garage parking. Free Adm. Call 303-955-2237 TUESDAYS: Classic Film Series at Denver Central Library, Level B2 Conference Center at 7-9:30 p.m. unless otherwise noted. SATURDAY, JUNE 6-7: Denver Chalk Art Festival on Larimer Square is a free twoday street-painting festival. More than 200 artists spend hours that weekend turning the streets into a museum of chalk art. The event showcases six madonnari (professionals in this medium); all are award-winning street painters including first place finishes in the International Street Painting Competition in Grazie di Curtatone, Italy. SUNDAY, JUNE 7: Tattered Cover Film Series presents Richard III, starring Laurence Olivier (1955), 2 pm, Sie Film Center, Colfax & Elizabeth. Admission is free, but must be obtained at the box office 1 hour prior to showing, limited number of tickets available. Call 720-381-0813. • “Writers’ Church,” a “drop-in writer's’ jam” hosted by Curious Theatre Co. the 1st Sun. of every month, The Acoma Center, 1080 Acoma, 10:30 am-1

THURSDAY, JUNE 18: “How Much for the Room Upstairs?” Brothels and Prostitution in Denver, 6-8pm, Come meet the ladies of Market Street, and the madams that ruled there. Molly Brown House Museum, 1340 Pennsylvania. Call 303-832-4092.

GALLERIES MONTH-LONG: • 12"x 12" x 14 is an art exhibit featuring 14 gallery artists who have all created four pieces each measuring 12" x 12". Gallery hours are: M-F 10-5, Sat 10-4, Through June. Closed Sunday. Artists on Santa Fe is located 747 Santa Fe Drive, Call 303573-5903. • Byers-Evans House Gallery, Guided Tours, Mon .Sat, 10:30 am, 11:30 am, 12:30 pm, 1:30 pm, & 2:30 pm. You will learn about the Evans family and their involvement in Denver’s early development, 1310 Bannock. Call 303-620-4933. • “El Movimiento,” History Colorado Center, 12th & Broadway. El Movimiento uses artifacts, images, and the voices of Chicano activists to tell about the struggle for labor rights. Call 303-447-8679. • “Thief Among Thieves” Museum of Contemporary Art, is a group exhibition featuring the work of more than twenty artists working in a broad range of styles and media,1485 Delgany. Call 303-298-7554. • “Everyday Monsters” Museum of Contemporary Art, Kim Dorland is a painter whose work explores themes that resonate far beyond his own personal experience. Taking on such unusual subjects as zombies, Sasquatch, and Jason of Friday the 13th,1485 Delgany. Call 303-298-7554. • “Critical Focus,” paintings by Denver-based artist, Monique Crine, Museum of Contemporary Art, 1485 Delgany.

Neighborhood Life• JUNE 2015 Through June 28. Call 303-2987554 x203. • “The Nature of Horses,” Deborah Butterfield’s contemporary sculptures capture the essence of horses, Denver Botanic Gardens lobby, through Sept 27. Call 720-865-3500. • “Chicano,” based on the political movement of Chicanos in the 1960s, Museo de las Americas, 861 Santa Fe. Through May 29. Call 303-5714401. • “Gunther Gerzso: A Mexican Master,” Opens Thursday, June 25 In partnership with Museo de las Americas, we celebrate the Mexican modernist master Gunther Gerzso (1915−2000). The Denver Art Museum highlights some of the artist's extraordinary paintings from 1960−1981. Denver Art Museum, 13th & Bannock. Call 720-865-5000 • An exhibit featuring the works of: Sabin Aell, Walker Fine Art, 300 W. 11th, through June 20. Call 303-3558955. • “Diamonds in the Daytime: The Changing Fashions of Margaret Brown’s World,” Molly Brown House Museum, 1340 Pennsylvania. Through Aug. Call 303-832-4092. • "Nobody Deserves You the Way That I Do" by Jackie Barry at Leon Gallery celebrates Jackie's playful drawings about the struggle of selfish vs. selfless love. Exhibition: June 13-July 12, 1112 E. 17th. Call 303-832-1599. • “Mythic Creatures: Dragons, Unicorns, and Mer-

maids ,” exhibit at the Denver Museum of Nature & Science, 2001 Colorado, through Sept. 7, general admission required. Call 303-370-6000. FRIDAY, JUNE 5: First Friday Art Walk in the Golden Triangle Museum District. Free bus, maps at all galleries. Free shuttle to the Santa Fe walk, below. Call 303-573-5095. • First Friday Art Walk, Santa Fe Art District, 6th to 10th on Santa Fe. Call 303-3332820. • Free Day, Four Mile Historic Park, 715 S. Forest. First Fri. of every month is free day. Call 720-865-0800. SATURDAY, JUNE 6: Free Day at the Denver Art Museum, 13th & Acoma. First Sat. of every month free. Call 720-865-5000 SATURDAY, JUNE 13: Upper Colfax 2nd Saturday Art Walk, 7 pm, Bluebird District, St. Paul to Adams on Colfax. Free. SATURDAY, JUNE - JULY 18: Denver Alumni/CVA 25th Anniversary Exhibition MSU. Celebrating 25 years with the Center for Visual Art, 965 Santa Fe. Call 303-294-5207.

RULE GALLERY, the long-time premier place for contemporary art presents 'Hypnagogia,' the new work of Pard Morrison, nationally collected artist. He describes his work as 'non-specific objects: phantom limbs.’ 3254 Walnut, through June 27th. 303-800-6776; rulegallery.com from Sun.to Mon. every month free. Call 303-832-5000. WEDNESDAYS & FRIDAYS: “Nooner Tours” of the Denver Art Museum, 13th & Acoma, noon. Different gallery each week, regular admission. Call 720-865-5000.

LECTURES

FRIDAY, JUNE 26: Biennial of the Americas Ambassador film screening; 6-7:30 pm Museo de las Americas, 861 Santa Fe. Call 303-571-4401.

TUESDAY, JUNE 9: “Fracking & U.S. Energy Policy,” an Active Minds talk, Tattered Cover, Aspen Grove Shopping Center, 12:30-1:30 pm. Free. Call 303-470-7050.

SUNDAY, MAY 31: Free Day, Denver Museum of Nature & Science 2001 Colorado, 10 am-5 pm. Call 303-322-7009. Varies

THURSDAY, JUNE 18: “2015 Habitat Heroes: Transforming Your Yard into a Dream Habitat,” featuring Lauren

Springer Ogden and David Salman, 7 pm, Denver Botanic Gardens, 1007 York Street. Call 720-865-3501. TUESDAY, JUNE 23: “ISIS – The Rise & Challenge,” an Active Minds talk, Tattered Cover, 2526 E. Colfax,5-6 pm. Free. Call 303-322-7727

SEMINARS, CLASSES & WORKSHOPS WEEKDAYS: Free “Computer Basics” classes at the Denver Public Library’s “Community Technology Center,” 13th & Broadway, Level 4, varying afternoon times. Large variety of classes & skill levels . Call 720-

865-1706. TUESDAYS & THURSDAYS: “Community Learning Plaza”, free computer access for language class practice, job searches, homework help & more, Ford-Warren Library, 28th & High, 5-7:30 pm. Free. Call 720-865-0920. THURSDAYS: Beginning Computers, Ford-Warren Library, 28th & High, 6-7 pm. Free. Call 720-865-0920 SUNDAYS, WEDNESDAYS & THURSDAYS: “A Course in Miracles,” on-going class based on in-depth study of ACIM, 1 pm Sun., noon Weds., 7 pm Thurs. See CALENDAR on page 14

NEIGHBORHOOD SERVICE DIRECTORY SERVICE DIRECTORY ADS WORK! CALL 303-831-8634 BRICK MASONRY Brick Specialists Restoration • Tuckpoint Color Match • Brick Repair Residential • Commercial Licensed • Bonded • Insured Customer References Father & Son Team 40 yrs. exp.

COMMUNICATION

Got Content?

Writing, editing & general publishing consulting for web sites, media releases and publications.

Joe O’Leary 720-256-1442 colojoe2@gmail.com

SERVICE DIRECTORY ADS WORK!

James 303-875-6111

CALL 303-831-8634

CHIMNEY REPAIR

CONCRETE/FENCING

Chimney Doctor • CAPS/DAMPERS • LINERS • REPAIRS • TUCKPOINTING

Full Service Chimney Sweeps

720-364-8839

chimneygeorge@yahoo.com

HEATING

Specializing in Commercial & Residential Concrete and Fencing Concrete Stamped Driveways Sidewalk Patios

Fencing Custom Chain link Wrought Iron Ranch Style

303-777-5175 www.cjgreyconstruction.com

• Denver Steam & Hot Water Lic # 236628 • Specializing in vintage boilers • 32 years experience • residential & commercial • Expert installation of new systems 303-918-9171 squareamechanical.com

DOG WALKING Dog Walking/Pet Sitting City Park Neighborhood Dogwalk $13–25 minutes SERVIC EDIRECTOJeff 303-388-1992 RY jeffhersch@gmail.com

5X8

SERVICE DIRECTORY ADS WORK! CALL 303-831-8634

PAINTING Local professional painters • Exclusively Residential • Interior and Exterior • Dependable and Insured

Free Estimates • 720.883.4096 We take pride in our work so you can take pride in your home.

MASSAGE

PLUMBING

MASSAGE QWEST

VAIL Plumbing & Heating

Denver’s BEST Mobile Massage Therapy Unbeatable massage rates

$45 for 45 minutes • $55 for 1 hour $90 for 90 minutes www.massageqwest.com 303-949-6003

PAINTING

1064 Clayton St.

OLDER HOME SPECIALIST

Service, Repair, Remodeling, Older Home Specialist; Apartments, Evaporative Coolers. Licensed/Insured/Guaranteed

303/329-6042 PRINTER Right in the Neighborhood

• Complete Interior and Exterior Paint • Quality Work by Trusted Craftsmen Since 1995

CALL 303-512-8777

www.irelandsﬁnestinc.com

• Printing • Graphic Design/Marketing • Bulk Mailing Services • Signs & Banners 303-825-0627 • 3000 E. Colfax

Service Directory Advertising 6 Months at an Affordable Price Call 303-831-8634 or email advertising@lifeoncaphill.com AMERICAN EXPRESS

Neighborhood Life• JUNE 2015

Calendar Continued from page 13 at Unity Temple, 1555 Race. Offering requested. Call 303-3223756. SATURDAYS: Drum-Making Circle, Unity on the Avenue, 4670 E. 17th, 11 am - 2pm. Call 303-320-3901. SATURDAY, JUNE 13: Beginning Genealogy class, the Denver Public Library, 13th & Broadway, Gates Conference Room, Level 5, 1:30-4 pm (register at 1 pm). Repeated 2nd Sat. of every month. Free. Call 720-865-1821.

SENIORS TUESDAYS: Seniors’ Bible Study, 9:30 am at the Salvation Army Red Shield Center, 29th & High. Call 303-295-2107 WEDNESDAYS: “Hospitality House for Seniors,” Assistance League of Denver, Bosworth House, 1400 Josephine, 10:30 am 1st (Crafts or movie, light lunch) & 3rd (book club)

Weds., noon 2nd (luncheon & entertainment) & 4th (lunch & bingo). Free. Continues through June. Call 720-289-0775. THURSDAYS: Colorado Peaches Senior Women’s have practices scheduled at East High School, 1600 City Park Esplanade; starting June 4 and consecutive Thursdays at the softball field. All senior women ages 55 and over are welcome and encouraged to attend; including 70+ players. Bring your glove; and a bat (if you have one). Softball coaches are welcome to attend and assist. Additional questions, please call Rosie 303751-2691. THURSDAY’S: Chair & Moderate Yoga, St. Paul United Methodist Church, 1615 Ogden, 11 am-12:15 pm. Fee charged. Call 303-818-4181. THURSDAY, JUNE 11: Seniors’ Book Discussion Group discusses contemporary fiction available in book & audio formats, 1-2:30 pm in the Level Four Meeting Room of the Denver Public Library, 13th & Broadway. Repeated 2nd Thurs. of every month. Call 720-865-1312.

SATURDAY, JUNE 13: Free Day for seniors 64+ at the Denver Firefighters Museum, 1326 Tremont Pl. Repeated 2nd Sat. of every month. Call 303-892-1436.

HEALTH & RECREATION WEEKDAYS: Guided Meditation, Denver Ashram, 1559 High, 6 -6:30 am. Free, donations Welcome. Call 303-8856727. MONDAYS: Free Zumba classes, 6 - 7 pm, Manual High School cafeteria, 28th & Williams (enter on south side). Offered by YMCA Community Programs Branch. Call 303-2922281. TUESDAYS: Denver Chess Club, 6:30-10:30 pm, basement of West First Ave. Presbyterian Church, 120 W. 1st. Call 720318-6496. • Moderate Yoga, St. Paul United Methodist Church, 1615 Ogden, 6-7:15 pm. Fee charged. Call 303-818-4181. • Argentine Tango, practice & lessons, Turnverein Event Center, 1570 Clarkson, 6:3010:30 pm. Call 303-710-2250. •Pulmonary Fibrosis Support Group at National Jewish Health, 1400 Jackson, Molly Blank Bldg., J105, every 2nd Tues., 1 pm. Call 303-3981912 TUESDAYS-THURSDAYS: “Meditation at Noon,” a free, 30-minute, guided meditation, KMC Colorado, 1081 Marion. Call 303-813-9551. WEDNESDAY, JUNE 10: La Leche League of Denver meets 2nd Wed. of the month, Blair-Caldwell Library, 2401 Welton, 12:30 pm. Call 720-8652115.

DUMB FRIENDS 2X 10

SUNDAYS: Capoeira Angola Introductory Class, Mercury Cafe, 22nd & California, 10:30 am. Free. Other classes available. Call 303-294-9258. • Tibetan Buddhist Meditation introduction to NgonDro, 9:30-10:30 am, Mercury Cafe, 22nd & California. Free, other classes available. Call 303322-5874. SUNDAY JUNE 7 & JULY 5: Self-Defense Classes, 10:30 am - 12:30 pm, Tiger Kim’s Academy, Colfax & Steele. Repeated 1st Sunday of every month. Cost is $5 donation to Breast Cancer Research. Call 303-388-1408.

RELIGION SATURDAYS: Church in the City-Beth Abraham, 16th & Gaylord, 10 am. Call 303-3225733. • St. Paul Lutheran and Roman Catholic Community, 16th & Grant, Catholic mass at 5 pm. Call 303-839-1432. SUNDAYS: Catholic Mass, 6:30, 8:30 & 10:10 am, 12:30 & 6:30 pm, Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception, Colfax & Logan. Call 303-831-7010. • St. Paul Lutheran, Lutheran Mass at 8 & 10:30 am, 16th & Grant. Call 303-839-1432. • Episcopal Church of the Holy Redeemer, 2552 Williams, 10 am. Call 303-831-8963. • St. Paul Lutheran, 16th & Grant, Lutheran mass at 8 & 10:30 am. Call 303-839-1432.

THE TATTERED COVER FILM SERIES invites you to join film critic, Howie Movshowitz, KUNC, and the Sie Film Center for the screening of the 1955 Laurence Olivier classic, Richard III. Don't miss this chance to discover, or re-discover and learn more about this classic film for the bargain price of $1! 2150 E. Colfax, June 7, 2 pm. 720-381-0813; denverfilm.org

• The Center of Light, “A Mystical Sunday Service,” 9:30 am silent meditation, 10 am service, 23rd & Forest. Workshops & classes also offered. Call 303913-7053. • Church in the City-Beth Abraham, 16th & Gaylord, 8:30 & 10:45 am. Call 303-322-5733. • Center for Spiritual Living Denver, Sunday celebrations: meditation 9:30 am, service & children’s church 10 am, 2590 Washington. Call 303832-5206. • Worship Celebration 10:30 am, Buddhist Christian Interspiritual Service 5 pm, St. Paul Church, 1615 Ogden. Call 303-832-4929. • Catholic Mass for lesbian, gay, bisexual & transgender Catholics, 5 pm, Dignity Denver, 1100 Fillmore. Call 720515-4528. • Catholic Mass, 7:30 & 10 am, St. Ignatius Loyola Catholic Church, 23rd & York. Call 303-322-8042. • Chapel Service, Red Shield Community Center, 2915 High, 11 am (all age Sunday School 10 am). Call 303-2952107. MONDAYS: Grant Avenue Street Reach Meal, after 9 am, St. Paul Lutheran, 16th & Grant. Call 303-839-1432. WEDNESDAYS: Weekly Bible Discussions, 11:30 am-12:30 pm, Christian Science Metropolitan Reading Room, 16th & Larimer. Call 303-534-3571. • Wednesday Evening Testimony Meeting, 7:30 pm, First Church of Christ, Scientist, 1401 Logan. Call 303-839-1505. THURSDAYS: Morning Eucharist, 7 am, St. Paul Lutheran, 1600 Grant. A 30-minute liturgy of Word & Sacrament. Call 303-839-1432. • Choral Evensong in traditional English style, St. Andrew’s Episcopal Church, 2015 Glenarm, 5:30-6 pm. Call 303296-1712. • Buddhist & Non-Sectarian Meditation, 7-9 pm at Vipassana Towers, 330 Acoma. American Theravada & non-sectarian. Free. Also every other Tuesday. Call 303-778-8883. FRIDAYS & SATURDAYS: Weekly services at Temple Micah, 2600 Leyden, 1st & 3rd Fri. 6 pm, 2nd & 4th Sat. 10 am. Family services on first Friday. Call 303-388-4239.

SATURDAYS: Catholic Mass, 5 pm, St. Ignatius Loyola Catholic Church, 23rd & York. 303322-8042. SUNDAY, JUNE 21: Father’s Day. Remember to honor your Father. SUNDAY, JUNE 21: Third Sunday Evensong, St. John’s Episcopal Cathedral, 1350 Washington, 3:30 pm. Preceded by free concert by Baroque violinist Mary Harrison. Repeated 3rd Sun. of every month. Call 303-831-7115.

MEETINGS MONDAY, JUNE 1 & 15: Skyline Toastmasters, 6:30 pm, Kephart Architecture, 2555 Walnut. Visitors welcome. Repeated the 1st & 3rd Mon. of every month. Call 303-778-0064. WEDNESDAY, JUNE 3: The Citizens' Climate Lobby meets monthly, every second Wed, at the First Unitarian Society of Denver, 1400 Lafayette St, 6:30 pm - 8:00 pm. For information call 303-322-0079. Letter writing (to Members of Congress) takes place monthly, every first Wed., at Wash Perk coffee shop 6:30 pm. • Monthly meeting of Democratic Party of Denver House District 5, Colorado Democratic Party HQ, 574 S. Broadway, 7-8:30 pm. Repeated 1st Weds. of every month, varying location. Call 303-830-8242. WEDNESDAYS: Kiwanis Club of Denver,12-1:30 pm, Maggiano’s at the Denver Pavilions, 16th & Glenarm. Program varies weekly. FRIDAY, JUNE 5: Monthly Downtown Democratic Forum Breakfast, 6:45-8 am, Le Grand Bistro, 1512 Curtis. Buffet $15. Public welcome. Repeated 1st Fri. of the month.Call 303-861-8050. FRIDAY, JUNE 12: GOP Monthly Breakfast at Pete's Greek Town Cafe, 2910 Colfax at 7 am. Great speakers & conservative camaraderie. Please RSVP, so we can plan appropriately. No need to pay in advance, but please order breakfast to support Pete's. Individual checks. Be there at 7 am & order by 7:20am so speaker is not interrupted. Repeated 2nd Fri. of the month. Online registration required.

Neighborhood Life• JUNE 2015

WESTIN Continued from page 3 yet to be completed amenities, will be located. Plumbing and electricity have yet to be installed so there were no guest rooms to view. It was an adventure to walk through the construction site's various obstacles and observe the industrious construction personnel hard at work. The experience piqued one's imagination about what is yet to come, while not being too tough a workout for the tour attendees. Public tours of the construction site are booked through June and most likely will not be continued. On the 11th floor one finds a fitness studio, hot tub and an indoor swimming pool, set in the dip of the design – all those features offer terrific views. On a clear day, vistas of Pike's Peak and La Veta Pass may be seen.

CBID Continued from page 1 same block. Locantore sees Colfax as the destination, not a drivethrough. “It’s Colfax, dammit! Who is Colfax for? It’s for autos, bikes, pedestrians,” he said. “How do we fertilize for multi-modal use?” Pointing out the automobile traffic and lack of cyclists pedaling down Colfax proper, he concedes bikes will be safer on existing lanes and routes paralleling the avenue, but that the district will continue to encourage cycling. At Emerson and Colfax, Locantore pointed out a “dead zone” for B-cycle service. As a member of the bike-share program, he lamented that earlier in the week his plans to pedal to the Cheeky Monk were foiled by the absence of a nearby B-station to park at. He pointed to a proximate empty patch of concrete and said it would make an ideal docking station. Walking outside the brick face of 1-Up, the recessed doorway had been graffitied. A little further up the street, two men were sprawled on the sidewalk, enjoying the warmth of a spring morning (i.e., loitering). Not very inviting. What can CBID do? “I’ll be knocking on every door, and providing resources,” said Locantore. “In their (business) head, they’re thinking how to make the inside work, not about the outside.” He will provide education, such as how to talk to people who are loitering, and where to get supplies to remove graffiti. Just the other side of 1-Up is the District 6 “cop shop”, and just up the street a city-owned condemned building. “How can we activate this? Here’s a great development opportunity,” he said, explaining that the police are looking for a new home. “How can this fit in with the character of Colfax in

A public plaza with a glass-covered canopy will be located on level five and will connect the hotel, terminal and train station conglomerate. Proposed plans for the plaza, which is the size of one football field and two basketball courts and then some, will include an area for relaxation, art displays, concerts, car shows and a farmer's market during good weather. That said, nature will no doubt have its way with us on occasion, with a nod to Oscar Hammerstein's words in the musical “Oklahoma,” “when the wind comes sweepin' down the plain,” – this time Colorado-style. Since the opening of DIA, public art has been a major feature at the airport, and that tradition will continue throughout the hotel's lobbies, guest rooms and transit center with an art budget set at $5 million. This amenity is possible due to Denver's “one percent for art,” requirement by executive order, the 21st century?” At Colfax and Washington, a Cheba Hut was selling sandwiches where an Office Depot once peddled paper, with auto parking in front. But across the street, a Sliceworks with patio seating occupied the corner, up against the sidewalk, with a parking lot (also serving the nearby Argonaut) well off the avenue. Parking placement is a big piece of the pro-pedestrian puzzle. The Argonaut complex was rebuilt to Main Street zoning, explained Locantore, while Cheba Hut merely saw a change of use. Removing the “ocean of parking” in front of buildings makes the site more attractive to pedestrian traffic, but only the city can force the change when a building is torn down and rebuilt. Oddly, older historic buildings that avoided being razed during the automobile era preserved the pedestrian-friendly feel, but the now-aging, once modern auto-centric architecture does not. On foot, details are noticed: holes in the sidewalk for trees, some empty, some with healthy flora; clean, and not-so-clean pavement; patio seating. A driver may not see the details that attract or repel the pedestrian. At walk’s end, NL asked Locantore what the businesses, residents and visitors of Colfax want to see changed or remain. “I’d be speculating,” he said, noting that his business cards had just arrived, and the task of pounding the pavement and knocking on doors had not yet begun. “There are clear opportunities for redevelopment and to bring people together on– what could that project be?” He mentioned a new use for the District Six police station and creating a mini-rec center, a satellite of the City Center project on the east end of the BID. “We don’t own the property, but we have the ability to organize.”

that compels one percent of construction dollars to be used for artwork on large construction projects. Much of the art will be represented by Colorado artists, including Denver artist Patrick Marold who this year will install a $1.5 million commission, “Shadow Array,” to create a large scale lighted installation that will amplify the landscape near the public transit station. The work will include approximately 250-beetle-kill spruce logs from southern Colorado and can be viewed by travelers on the train as they come and go en route along the sloping “valley” to the hotel and plaza entrance. “The artists who were selected through a competitive bidding process to create public art for the hotel and transit center are world-class,” said Kim Day, DIA CEO. “Their artwork will integrate with DIA's iconic architecture and will represent elements of Denver's landscape and culture.” Food and beverages, of course, will be an integral part of the hotel experience with

Grill and Vine, a Westin concept restaurant found at some of the hotel chains on their other properties. Other healthy meal choices are planned for adults and children along with an upscale Colorado craft brewery. An RFP for that venture has been solicited and applications are now closed. A decision is pending. In addition to leisure and business travel, or a welcome way station between flights for some folks, there's no doubt the

new hotel has been designed to be a special destination not only for visitors, but also for locals. While the hotel and transit complex is still a curiosity, soon it will meld into the landscape in the same manner the beloved white tented mountains have sent us away from Denver on a trip, or welcomed us home from our far flung travels. May soft landings lie in wait all around!

St. paul

community

faith

An open, affirming, and diverse community of faith representing two Christian traditions – ST PAULS Evangelical Lutheran Church of America and 2X 2.5 Roman Catholic Communities. Sunday, 8:00 & 10:30 am Lutheran Mass

Saturday, 5:00 pm Catholic Mass

1600 Grant St. (one block north of capitol) 303-839-1432 • www.Stpauldenver.orG

Quality Senior Living

Communities Oﬀering Aﬀordable Housing for Seniors and the Disabled

NOW TAKING APPLICATIONS

• Utilities included • Pet Friendly • On-site Laundry MARIAN PLAZA 3 X 3 3/8 • Oﬀ-Street Parking • On bus route and near Light Rail • Short wait list for 62 and older

MARIAN PLAZA

1818 Marion St. • 303-837-1818

ST. MARTIN PLAZA

1300 Bruce Randolph • 303-297-1414 TDD Relay Colorado 800-659-3656

An Affiliate of Catholic Charities

www.archdiocesanhousing.org

Now Hiring ■

Would you like to work for Denver Public Schools for a year?

■

Do you have a passion for working with kids?

■

Do you have a Bachelor’s Degree?

If so, then apply today to the HOMES Denver Math FellowsBERKLEY Program! 3 X 6 7/8 Commit to instructing a small number of students in math during the school day and you will receive: ■

A $21,000 salary for a year of service (paid over 13 months)

FAT JACK 2X 2.5

■

Potential $2,000 bonus

■

Potential $5730 AmeriCorps education award

■

Medical and dental beneﬁts options

Learn more and apply today for the 2015-2016 school year: www.denvermathfewllows.com Denver Public Schools is an Equal Opportunity Employer

Neighborhood Life• JUNE 2015

The People’s Fair Provides Community Summertime Fun By Jason McKinney

he 44th annual People’s Fair, Colorado’s third largest weekend festival, comes to Civic Center Park on Sat., June 6, 10 am-8 pm & Sun., June 7, 10 am-7 pm. Over 200,000 people attend each year and enjoy exhibitors, vendors, music, juggling, arts & crafts, food and more, as people celebrate summer in Colorado. Every year, the People’s Fair, put on by Capitol Hill United Neighborhoods (CHUN), is known for bringing together diverse groups of people to celebrate community. Whether you’re interested in shopping, enjoying a glass of wine and jazz, family activities, sampling Denver’s unique cuisines or all of the above, you can do it at the Fair. There are also numerous area non-profits that will offer displays of the work that they

do for the community. Started by a Denver Police Lieutenant in 1972 in order to forge more amicable relations between the city, local community and its residents, the People’s Fair continues to grow in popularity. Over the course of its history, the People's Fair has raised $1,000,000 for the Greater Capitol Hill Community and local non-profits. Admission to the Fair is always free and food & drink purchases are run on a ticket system. It’s $5 for eight tickets and most menu items run between five and 20 tickets. In addition to the various vendors, there will also be a 21+ wine pavilion (complete with a bandstand featuring jazz, big band, swing and salsa venues) and a kid’s area that will feature bungee trampolines, bounce houses, rock climbing, a bubble tower and more fun activities from the Colorado Outlaws lacrosse team.

PHOTO BY JEFF HERSCH

ALL AGES ENJOY THE BUNGEE JUMPING STATION, just one of the myriad of activities to participate in, at the People’s Fair. As in years past, there will also be a mural competition between five teams of area schoolchildren who will each create a

mural centered on the theme of “Pay It Forward”. Make sure to vote for your favorite creation while you’re at the Fair!

For more information, including transportation, parking and event schedules, go to peoples fair.com.

Our Proﬁts Stay in Colorado Support Colorado’s Independent Market

“Argonaut Has It!”

Leopold Brothers • Dry Dock • New Belgium • Inﬁnite Monkey Theorem

SWALLOW HILL 1 X 10

ARGONAUT 4 X 10

CC HH EE CC KK

C HH EE CC KK

OO UU TT

ww.argonautliquor.com www.argonautliquor.com sign signup upfor fore-grapevine e-grapevine r more or morespecials specials

760 EAST COLFAX • 303-831-7788 Mon-Thur 8 am - 11 pm • Fri & Sat 8 am - 11:45 pm • Sunday 10 am - 10 pm Family-owned For Over 45 Years

Den Denve ge Den r’s Denve r’s Largest Largest ge Wine Wine AA Liquor mark Liquor Supermark Supermark market et

Den Denve ge Wine Den r’s Denve r’s Largest Largest ge Wine And And We Deliver! iquor Supermark mark Liquor Supermark market et

We WeDeliver! Deliver!

▲▲OVER OVER5000 5000WINES WINES

e Deliver! We Deliver!

▲▲MANY MANYHARD HARDTO TOFIND FINDWINES WINES

OVER OVER5000 5000WINES WINES MANY MANYHARD HARDTO TOFIND FINDWINES WINES GREA GREAT IMPORT & MICROBREW GREA IMPORT & MICROBREW GREAT SELECTION SELECTION DISCOUNT DISCOUNTPRICES PRICES FAMILY MIL MILY FAMILY MIL OWNED MILY OWNEDSINCE SINCE1967 1967

hop online: Shop online:www.argonautliquor.com www.argonautliquor.com WE WEWELCOME WELCOME

A, MASTERCARD, ISA, MASTERCARD,DISCOVER DISCOVER&& ERICAN EXPRESS. MERICAN EXPRESS.WE WERESERVE RESERVE E RIGHT HE RIGHTTO TOLIMIT LIMITQUANTITIES. QUANTITIES.

OO UU TT

www.argonautliquor.com www.argonautliquor.com &&sign signup upfor fore-grapevine e-grapevine for formore morespecials specials

JUST JUSTBLOCKS BLOCKSEAST EASTOF OFTHE THESTATE STATECAPITOL CAPITOL PLENTY PLENTYOF OFFREE FREEAND ANDEASY EASYPARKING PARKING

▲▲GREAT GREA GREA IMPORT GREAT IMPORT&&MICROBREW MICROBREW

SELECTION SELECTION ▲▲DISCOUNT DISCOUNTPRICES PRICES ▲▲FAMILY MIL MILY FAMILY MIL OWNED MILY OWNEDSINCE SINCE1967 1967

303-831-7788 303-831-7788 HOURS: HOURS: 10 10AM AM- -88PM PMSUNDAY SUNDAY 88AM AM- -10 10PM PMMON.-WED. MON.-WED. 88AM AM- -11 11PM PMTHURS. THURS. FRI. FRI.&&SAT. SAT.88AM AM- -11:45 11:45PM PM

Shop Shoponline: online:www.argonautliquor.com www.argonautliquor.com WE WEWELCOME WELCOME

SHOP ONLINE AT WWW.ARGONAUTLIQUOR.COM Vintages Subject Vintages SubjectTo ToChange Change

DENVER’S DENVER’SLARGEST LARGESTWINE WINE&&LIQUOR LIQUORSUPERMARKET SUPERMARKET

760 760EAST EASTCOLFAX COLFAXAVE. AVE.AT ATWASHINGTON WASHINGTON

SP127460 SP127460

JUST JUSTBLOCKS BLOCKSEAS EA PLENTY PLENTYOF OFFR FR

Vintages Vintage

VISA, VISA,MASTERCARD, MASTERCARD,DISCOVER DISCOVER&& AMERICAN AMERICANEXPRESS. EXPRESS.WE WERESERVE RESERVE THE THERIGHT RIGHTTO TOLIMIT LIMITQUANTITIES. QUANTITIES.

DENVER’S DENVER’SLARGEST LARGESTW

760 760EAST EASTCOLFAX COLFA