Womxn’s March Jan. 18

Join fellow Coloradans to march for women, marking the four-year anniversary of the powerful grassroots Women’s March Movement. In 2017 record-breaking crowds marched in protest through downtown Denver and hundreds of other cities across the country and globe the day after President Donald Trump was sworn into office. Last year organizers adopted the spelling “womxn” to recognize non-binary identity designation. This year’s Womxn’s March Denver is Saturday, Jan. 18, at Civic Center Park at Colfax and Bannock downtown, from 9:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Check out page 9 for more on the march and this year’s theme: VOTE.

March For MLK, Jr. Jan. 20

Join thousands of your closest friends to commemorate Martin Luther King, Jr.’s 91st birthday. This year’s MLK marade (march and parade) is Monday, Jan. 20. Participants gather at the Martin Luther King, Jr. statue and I Have A Dream Memorial in the southwest part of City Park, just west of Park Hill, beginning at 9 a.m. Speakers take the stage at 9:30 a.m. The marade begins at 10:45 a.m., and participants will march west down Colfax Avenue. The marade culminates at Civic Center Park downtown, with a rally commemorating the life of the slain civil rights leader. The total distance equals 5K. The marade is the largest Martin Luther King, Jr. march and rally in the United States. It is free and everyone is welcome.  For more, check out drmartinlkingjrchc.org/, and on Twitter at #ColoradoMLKMarade.

Park Hill Kids Marade Jan. 21

For the fifth year, Park Hill elementary schools will follow up the citywide Martin Luther King, Jr. marade with a neighborhood version. Kindergarten and first grade students from Park Hill, Stedman, Hallett, and Smith elementary schools will gather at Turtle Park at 23rd Avenue and Dexter Street. Carrying homemade posters of peace and love, the students will march hand-in-hand to Montview Boulevard Presbyterian Church several blocks away. The student marade will be capped with a performance of the song “We Shall Overcome” on the front steps of the church, where the civil rights hero visited and delivered a sermon in 1964. More than 600 students are expected to participate this year.

Picking My Preschool

The Denver Preschool Program (DPP) is hosting its 8th annual Preschool Showcase on Saturday, Jan. 11 from 9 a.m. to noon. The free event is designed to help Denver families learn how to access preschool tuition support and meet representatives from more than 50 quality-rated preschool providers that represent more than 200 local preschools in and around the Denver area. The showcase is at the Denver Zoo in Norgren Hall, at 2300 Steele St. and is an opportunity for families to compare preschool options for their child, determine the dollar amount that is available to them in tuition support and apply for tuition support. Spanish translators will be on hand, and there will be food and other refreshments, family-friendly activities and free entry to the Denver Zoo. For more information visit www.dpp.org.

Little Things Matter

On Saturday, Jan. 18, Dr. Bruce Lanphere will be in Denver to discuss in detail the correlation between how environmental contaminants and pollutants affect children and developing brains. Lanphere, a professor at the Faculty of Health Sciences at Simon Fraser University in Vancouver, B.C., has studied children’s environmental health for nearly two decades. His video, Little Things Matter: The Impact of Toxic Chemicals on the Developing Brain, is designed to enhance public understanding of how health is linked to the environment. “Toxins have a lifelong impact on children,” he says. “Extremely low levels of toxins can impact brain development, leading to lowered intelligence, and learning and behavioral problems.” The free forum, sponsored by Inter Neighborhood Cooperation (INC), City Park Friends and Neighbors and several other groups, is from 1 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. at the Rita Bass Auditorium, 190 6th Ave. (between Acoma and Bannock). Parking is free.

U.S. Senate Forum Jan. 29

Indivisible Stapleton is hosting a candidate’s forum for Democrats running for the U.S. Senate. The forum is Wednesday, Jan. 29, from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. at Park Hill United Congregational Church, 2600 Leyden St. Colorado Attorney General Phil Weiser will present opening remarks about what is at stake in this election, and will introduce candidates to present their views and positions on important policy issues. Topics will likely include health care, climate change and the environment, gun safety, human rights, national security and federal judicial appointments, including the U.S. Supreme Court. Invited candidates include Diana Bray, Lorena Garcia, John Hickenlooper, Andrew Romanoff, Stephany Rose Spaulding, Michelle Warren and Trish Zornio. Colorado party caucuses are March 7, and the Democratic winner will take on the Republican incumbent Sen. Cory Gardner in the November general election. The forum is free and open to the public.

The Reluctant Radical

The Lowry Foundation is launching a new film series to examine a wide variety of issues and themes. The first film, The Reluctant Radical, is a documentary that follows activist and Oregon resident Ken Ward as he puts himself in the direct path of the fossil fuel industry in an effort to combat climate change, culminating with the action that shut down all the U.S. tar sands oil pipelines on Oct. 11, 2016. The film reveals both the personal costs and also the fulfillment that comes from following one’s moral calling – even if that means breaking the law. Following the showing, the documentary’s director, Lindsey Grayzel, will be on hand for a discussion with the audience. The film begins at 7 p.m. at the historic Eisenhower Chapel in Lowry, at 293 Roslyn St. Tickets are $10 for adults and $5 for children under 12 and can be obtained via www.lowryfoundation.org.

Free Tree January

It’s January and that means it’s time to start thinking about trees. This year the nonprofit group Denver Digs Trees is offering 10 varieties of free and reduced-cost trees to Denver residents. Trees are $10 for those living in 28 targeted, lower tree-canopy neighborhoods, and $35 for homeowners in the rest of the city. Free trees are available for those experiencing financial hardship. Tree delivery and planting support also is offered for those with physical limitations. In addition, yard trees are offered at a very low cost, and homeowners may apply for multiple trees. Applications are available now through Feb. 15, and tree distribution will be on Arbor Day, April 25. To complete an application or get more information – including a list of the types of trees that are available – go to TheParkPeople.org. Or, call 303-722-6262 for a paper application.

The Gift Of Reading

Children’s Literacy is seeking volunteers to provide free individualized tutoring to children reading below grade level. Tutor one child, one to two hours a week, and help that child become a successful reader. Training provided in person or online for volunteers 14 and older. Two upcoming in-person trainings are scheduled. They include Saturday, Jan. 18, from 12:45 p.m. to 3:15 p.m. at the Green Valley Ranch Library, 4856 Andes Court, and Saturday, Feb. 1, from 10:45 a.m. to 1:15 p.m. at the Martin Luther King, Jr. Library – 9898 East Colfax Ave. in Aurora. To sign up, call Children’s Literacy Center at (719) 471-8672, or send an email to pamela@childrensliteracycenter.org.

Hot Topics, Active Minds

Radio, Ukraine, Venezuela

The organization Active Minds is hosting several free public programs near Park Hill in January, covering several subject and issues of current event.

The History of Radio

Throughout human history there have been a number of inventions that have fundamentally changed how people communicate. One of the most influential was the advent of radio. Although the technology was discovered in the 19th century, radio really came into the popular culture in the first half of the 20th century. Radio continues to reach nearly 250 million Americans on a weekly basis. This program is Thursday, Jan. 9, from 1 p.m. to 2 p.m. at the Sam Gary Library, 2961 Roslyn St. There is no cost and RSVP is not required.

Ukraine In The News

Seventy years of Soviet control of Ukraine ended in 1991 with the collapse of the Soviet Union. During that time Ukraine suffered extensive famines, deportation of its citizens, and repopulation of its country by ethnic Russians. After independence, Ukraine aligned more with the west, resulting in escalating tension between ethnic Russians and Ukrainians. In 2014, Russia annexed the Crimea region of Ukraine, fueling an ongoing low-level civil war fed by Russian influence. This past April Ukraine’s President Petro Poroshenko was defeated by Volodymyr Zelensky, an actor/comedian who had played the president in a popular television show. This program reviews Ukraine’s history, present issues, and future challenges. It’s Tuesday, Jan. 14, from 12:30 p.m. to 1:30 pm at the Tattered Cover, 2526 E Colfax. There is no charge.

Crisis in Venezuela

Venezuela is in an economic and political crisis. Food shortages, rolling electricity blackouts and a crumbling healthcare system have triggered an exodus of millions out of the country and led political opponents, led by Venezuelan Parliament leader Juan Guaido, to seek the ouster of President Nicolas Maduro. This program explores how this once promising economy and evolving democracy has wound up in shambles, and what the future holds. This free program is Thursday, Jan. 23, from 6:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. at the Sam Gary Library, 2961 Roslyn St.