Community Announcements
Action On The ‘Fax
Every 10 years, voters weigh in on general bond funding for infrastructure and public amenities in the city. Colfax Avenue, Park Hill’s southernmost border, lost out the last time around, in 2007, because there was no Business Improvement District in place to propose projects or assume a maintenance responsibility. Thanks to the Colfax Mayfair Business Improvement Business District, a plan is now in place, including we have a streetscape plan and a collaboration with three other BIDs on Colfax. Take a few minutes today to let the city know you want “Streetscape and Pedestrian Safety Improvements on Colfax Avenue” on the 2017 bond list. Emails can be sent to denvergov.org/content/denvergov/en/denver-department-of-finance/2017-go-bond.html. For more, check out the streetscape plans here: http://colfaxmayfairbid.com/streetscape-improvement-project/.
We can do this!
Holiday Meal On Dec. 8
Come celebrate the season on Dec. 8 with a free holiday meal during the Northeast Park Hill Family Holiday Celebration. The annual gathering is from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. at The Hope Center, 3475 Holly St. Music will be provided by DJ Foxy and there will be door prizes. You can also pick up information about initiatives and services available in the neighborhood. Bring the kids. Everyone is welcome!
Gun Laws In Australia
David Shoebridge, a state senator from New South Wales Australia, is the guest speaker at a special forum to talk about gun violence and gun laws in Australia. Park Hill Congregational Church is sponsoring the forum on Thursday, Dec. 1 from 7 – 8:30 p.m. The address is 2900 Leyden St.
After the Port Arthur massacre in 1996, Australia enacted strong gun regulations, particularly banning assault rifles. Sen. Shoebridge will talk about their current laws, how they came about, outcomes from it (Australia hasn’t had a mass shooting since 1996 laws were enacted), and the growing gun culture in Australia.
Following Sen. Shoebridge’s presentation, there will be a brief discussion of election results and the path forward in Colorado. The forum is co-sponsored by Colorado Ceasefire and Colorado Faith Communities United to End Gun Violence (CFCU).
Love And Music At Montview
Montview Boulevard Presbyterian Church at 1980 Dahlia St. will hold a Service of Remembrance on Mon, Dec. 12 at 7 p.m. For many, feelings of sadness and loss arise and linger during this otherwise sparkly time of year. Through poetry, prayers, and thoughtful music selections, this service will bear witness to the contrasts people experience during the holiday season – distress and peace; despair and hope; sorrow and joy; apathy and love. Advent itself is a season of darkness, and we are called to dwell deeply in it before we can welcome the dawning of light. Contact Rebecca Gale (rebecca@rebeccagale.com) for further information.
On Sunday, Dec. 18 Montview Boulevard Presbyterian will present Traditional Lessons & Carols to celebrate the Music and Scripture of Christmastide. The entire neighborhood is invited to participate in Lessons and Carols, a special hour that retells the Christmas story through scripture and music. This age-old Montview tradition has moved this year from Sunday afternoon to twice on Sunday morning, at 9 a.m. and again at 11 a.m.
Ujamaa Holiday Market
This year marks 16 years of the Ujamaa Holiday Market, a cultural celebration in Denver. Ujamaa – “cooperative economics” – is the fourth principle of Kwanzaa and is celebrated by supporting small community business and putting the law of circulation and economic balance into action during the holiday season of December. The market showcases some of Denver’s unique and creative businesses with a cultural flair. Local talent, book talks, think tanks, cultural foods, live entertainment, and children’s market will be a part of this year’s market. The cultural celebration of businesses, film, jazz, youth market and community connection is Saturday, Dec. 10, from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. at New Hope Baptist Church, 3701 Colorado Blvd. For vendor and general information visit Ujamaaconnection.org or Ujamaa hotline: Deborah Fard 303-630-9517.
Tour Denver With Goodstein
Author and historian Phil Goodstein has been wandering the streets for 30 years, walking backwards as he leads groups on tours of the city. Join him on Sunday, Dec. 4 for a free talk at the Book Bar, at the southeast corner of West 43rd Avenue and Tennyson Street. Goodstein will focus on The Denver Civic Center and the city’s North Side, emphasizing the distinctive role of the city’s Berkeley neighborhood. The presentation is from 4-5:30 p.m.
On Tuesday Dec. 13, Goodstein will hold a free talk at City Stacks, a combination bookstore and coffeehouse downtown at 1743 Wazee St. There, he’ll be presenting on LoDo and the Civic Center, including 14th Street, Larimer Square, and Lower Downtown. The event is from 6 –7:30 p.m.
Lighting The Way For Students
Planning is underway for the 2nd Annual Light The Way For Denver Students Luminaria charity event in Park Hill and Stapleton. In its second year, the event’s organizers hope to at least double the number of participating households within the Park Hill and Stapleton neighborhoods to “light the way” on Dec. 24. “My vision for years to come is that each luminary will represent a student here in Denver, and that Park Hill and Stapleton households will light-up our neighborhoods in support of the growth and development of our kids,” said organizer Chris Merman, in a press release. Net proceeds from this event go to the YESS Institute, McAuliffe International School, Stedman Elementary and Park Hill Elementary. Participants are encouraged to order their luminary supplies online by Sunday, Dec. 4 at holidayluminaria.eventbrite.com. The event’s community Facebook page is facebook.com/holidayluminaria/. Once luminaries are ordered, participants can pick-up their supplies – which include luminary supplies – tea candles, sand and paper bags – on the corner of 23rd and Dexter Street, near Spinelli’s Bakery in Park Hill. Pick-up times are from 8 a.m. to noon on Saturday, Dec. 17, and noon – 4 p.m. on Sunday, Dec. 18.
Fine Arts Festival at Art Gym
Art Gym Denver presents the 2nd Holiday Fine Arts Festival at Art Gym featuring handmade items for the season to give and share. This curated Fine Arts Festival features small gift items made by local artists, artisans and culinary artists, most of them created at Art Gym. Art for sale includes woven textiles, handmade jewelry, fiber art, hand printed textiles, wooden bowls, lamps, ornaments and more. Specialty foods will also be available. The Fine Arts Festival is Friday, Dec. 9 from 4 to 8 p.m., and Saturday, Dec. 10 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. The Art Gym is at 1460 Leyden, just south of Park Hill.
Pearl Harbor At 75
On the eve of the 75th anniversary of the bombing of Pearl Harbor, join Active Minds to explore the story from both the Japanese and the U.S. perspective. Remembered as “The Day that Lives in Infamy,”
Dec. 7, 1941 brought an attack upon the United States the likes of which had never been seen before. The forum will cover how the Japanese planned and executed such a bold attack, how the U.S. could have been caught so completely unaware, and also the impact this had on World War II and the American psyche. The program is Tuesday, Dec. 6, from 10-11 a.m. at the Jewish Community Center, 350 S. Dahlia St. It is free and no RSVP is required. For info, call Lil Shaw: 303-316-6359
Brexit: What Does the Future Hold?
In June, British voters elected to exit the European Union, sending global stock markets sharply down and provoking global reactions running the gamut from horror to congratulations.
Join Active Minds to explore this pivotal event in its historic context and explore where this high stakes path may lead, not only for the UK, but also the EU and the rest of the world.
This program is Thursday, Dec. 8 at the Sam Gary Library, 2961 Roslyn St. It is free and no RSVP is required.