Community Announcements

Venture Prep gets Mindful for Back to School
Some Denver teachers are taking a very different approach to back-to-school prep this year.  Venture Prep sponsored a half-day program on the practices of mindfulness featuring deep breathing, meditation, yoga poses, journaling, and more towards having a mindful year and living the school’s mission of “cultivating scholars who show critical thinking skills, effective collaboration skills, project management skills, self-knowledge and ethical behavior.” Ken Burdette, Venture Prep Principal said, “I offered this program to our staff in an effort to bring more mindfulness, openness, and purpose to the work that we do. Educating high school students can be a challenge for any professional and I believe it is important to find the proper balance and approach as a teacher and educator.” His choice of the “Your Mindful Year” on August 12 is part of a growing trend by many businesses to incorporate mindfulness practices toward creating healthier, happier–and more efficient employees. As a holistic alternative to more traditional staff development, this mindfulness program focused on getting teachers back to school with intention, focus and overall well-being.   Not only did the high school teachers learn skills to help them deal differently with stress and chaos throughout the year, they’ll be able to model these mindful practices for their scholars as well.   Businesses have begun to recognize the value of what was once considered a ‘woo-woo’ approach and it’s great to see innovative educators also embracing the proven benefits of mindfulness training.   After the program, Burdette said, “The staff was able to bond as a team and the program offered techniques for each individual to allow for a more mindful approach to both teaching and to one’s personal life.” Your Mindful Year was created and presented by Park Hill local Diane Sieg. For more information, visit dianesieg.com.
Diane Sieg
The Art Garage’s Green Art Sale – September 27
The Art Garage’s GAS! (Green Art Sale) is a community-based market held from 5:30 to 8:30 p.m. on the last Friday of the month, May though October, at the Art Garage at 23rd and Kearney – Park Hill’s own community art center. GAS! brings together artists, craftspeople, musicians and specialty food vendors, creating a platform where people can share, exhibit, perform and sell. This month: art-bike raffle, kid’s activities (mural painting, junk art, face paint), organic farm produce, and of course, fabulous local art and crafts! 10% of all proceeds benefit the Art Garage, a non-profit 501(c)(3). Free. For more information, visit artgaragedenver.com.
 Allison
15 Year Reunion for Celebration of Families-Students
For the past fifteen years, under the leadership of Dr. Robbie Bean, Celebration of Families-Students Inc. has honored and celebrated families that reflected the diversity of Denver and surrounding areas. The organization will be celebrating its 15th year anniversary on Saturday, September 21, at 1 p.m., at the New Hope Baptist Church at 37th and Colorado. The organization extends and a heartfelt thanks to all those volunteers, and contributors that have made the program a success for 15 years and invites all families, students, churches, organizations, and individuals who have participated in any manner to come out and celebrate the organization’s 15th Anniversary Reunion.
Patricia Kane
Gerie Grimes: A Lifelong Career in Helping Children and Youth
Gerie Grimes recently received the Minoru Yasui Community Volunteer Award for more than three decades of dedicated service to the Denver community. Grimes is President/CEO of Hope Center in Northeast Denver, where she has worked for more than 30 years to help build programs to serve children and youth in the surrounding neighborhood. At the same time, Grimes has been a tireless community volunteer with Metropolitan State University of Denver, the Center for African American Health, Denver Early Childhood Council, Holly Area Redevelopment Program, The Denver Foundation and many more. Grimes was also a major proponent of the 2006 ballot initiative that created the Denver Preschool Program, for which she now serves as President of the Board of Advisors.
For more than 36 years, Grimes has served as president of the Falcon Youth Organization, where she volunteers with other members of her family. Falcon Youth Organization works with boys and girls and boys from age 4 to 13 by providing opportunities to learn teamwork, dedication, tenacity and gratitude. Grimes takes pride in having nurtured hundreds of children who have become successful in sports, in school and in their careers. Grimes designated the $2,000 monetary award that accompanies the Minoru Yasui Community Volunteer Award to Falcon Youth Organization.
Phil Nash
East “Y” Visioning Meeting
The East “Y” Visioning Team will host a community workshop to share community member findings and input gathered recently regarding current redevelopment ideas for the former East Denver YMCA site on September 7 from noon to 2 p.m. at the office of Councilman Albus Brooks at 3815 Steele Street. The Visioning Team is a sub-committee of the North City Park Civic Association.  The East “Y’ Visioning Team’s purpose is to engage interested parties in decision making.  Participants include: North City Park residents, businesses, institutions and surrounding communities, property stake holders, visioning facilitators, visioning planners and consultants in the redevelopment of the former East YMCA.
 Gerie Grimes
Connect With Other Moms At Momtime – Fall Session Begins September 6
MomTime provides an opportunity for mothers of young children to learn, grow and support each other through the challenges and joys of this season of life. Each session focuses on a topic related to parenting, balancing life’s many demands, taking care of yourself and contributing to our larger community and world.  It is also a time for moms to just take a break and connect with other moms. Breakfast and childcare are provided. We will meet the 1st, 3rd and 5th Fridays of each month in Rm. 305 starting September 6th at 9:15 to 11:15 a.m.  For further information check our blog: montviewmomtime.wordpress.com or contact Leah Oliver at leahcnoliver@yahoo.com or Anna Clark at Anna.A.Clark@gmail.com.
 Paola Ramirez