Looking For A Few Good Storytellers
Park Hill Library Turning 100 In A Big Way
By Tara Bannon Williamson
Park Hill Librarian
The Park Hill Branch Library turns 100 in 2020. As part of year-long festivities, the library wants to help our neighbors and friends share the stories that make us who we are as the Greater Park Hill community.
One of the ways we are going to do that is through the use of “Listening Stations” acquired through StoryCenter. We are also working with the Park Hill Collective Impact and the group’s #ParkHillTalks that have been taking place around the community this year. Find out more about #ParkHillTalks at parkhillci.org/parkhilltalks and come to the #ParkHillTalks at the Park Hill Branch Library on July 16 at 6:30 p.m.
Sharing stories is important because it is how we create shared meaning, develop our empathy, and practice perspective taking. So much frustration can be avoided if we can learn to listen to one another and try to understand where the other person is coming from. Our use of the Listening Stations will help us cultivate our shared narrative of who we are as a community, and how that has changed over time (or hasn’t), and help us better understand our shared values.
We need your help to find the rich stories that make our community who we are. If you know someone who has a story, we’ll even make housecalls!
To find out more about this project, or to tell your unique story, come to drop-in hours at the Park Hill Branch Library on Saturday, Aug. 17, from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. and/or Wednesday, Aug. 28, from 6:30 p.m. to 8 p.m. Drop in to have your story recorded or email tbannon@denverlibrary.org to schedule a session. Recorded sessions can be up to 15 minutes and will be shared with you to use as you wish.
Pauline Robinson July Events
Library Branch is at 5575 E. 33rd Ave.
Tech Help Appointments Mondays and Tuesdays, noon to 1 p.m.
Get technology assistance from one of our in-house experts on your own device or a public computer. Learn the basics, such as email, social networking, word processing and eMedia. Call the library at 720-865-0290 to schedule an appointment for Monday or Tuesday. (Note: No Class on July 23.)
SOA Basic Ukulele (K-5) Mondays, 3 p.m.
Learn ukulele and other music basics while playing songs you know and love, as well as start creating your own. A limited number of ukuleles will be available.
SOA Escape Room (TEENS) Tuesday, July 2, 2 p.m.
The adventure begins when you enter the wardrobe. It ends when you escape. Work together as a group to discover clues, break codes, and solve puzzles to help you succeed in this Narnia-themed escape room event. Each group will have 30 minutes to play the game. Call us at 720-865-0290 to reserve your start time.
SOA Bristle Bot (K-5) Wednesday, July 3, 3 p.m.
Be a robotics engineer! Build your very own robot and see how far it goes.
Preschool Storytime Wednesday, July 3, 10, 24, 31, 10:30 a.m.
Stories, songs, rhymes and fun for 3-5 year olds and their parents or caregivers.
Keeping it Simple Thursdays, 3 p.m.
Games and other simple activates for you to participate.
SOA Canvas Painting (TEENS) Tuesday, July 9, 2 p.m.
Be an artist! Discover your inner artist and create a painting on canvas.
SOA Galaxies on Plexiglass (Birth to Pre-K) Wednesday, July 10, 11 a.m.
Be a space adventurer! Create your own galaxy with the colors that you love most. Ideal for 1-5 year-olds.
SOA Music with Scott Clements (K-5) Wednesday, July 10, 3 p.m.
Join us as we sing and dance to wonderful guitar music.
SOA Snacks and Space (Teens) Tuesday, July 16, 2 pm
Chill in our new teen space and help us decorate it. Snacks will be provided.
SOA Rocky Mountain Puppets Presents Space-a-Cade (0-Pre-K) Wednesday, July 17, 10:30 a.m.
Houston, we have a problem… Lenny’s space ship has crashed here on earth, and he needs our help to get home. The ship runs off a crystal powered by knowledge, so we’ll need to read.
SOA Hex Art Exploration (Teens) Tuesday, July 23, 2 p.m.
Make jewelry using hex nuts, bolts, and washers.
SOA Clay Sculpting (K-5) Wednesday, July 24, 3 p.m.
Grab a snack and be a sculptor! Create a masterpiece of your own design using clay and creativity.
The Pauline Robinson Book Club Saturday, July 27, noon
This month’s selection: The Five People You Meet in Heaven by Mitch Albom. Drop-ins are welcome.
SOA After Hours Event and String Art (Teens) Tuesday, July 30, 6:30 – 8 p.m.
Teens, come see what it’s like to have the library to yourselves. We’ll have a cool string art program and food too.
Dave and Connie Elstun present Magic: Out of this World (K-5) Wednesday, July 31, 3 p.m.
This family show features the magic of Dave and Connie with a space-age twist. Follow the antics of Connie’s out-of-this-world bunnies and birds as they prepare for the rest of the 21st Century, and thrill to Amazing Dave’s transportation device.
Enter the Maker Challenge for a chance to win a prize. Visit http://denverlibraryadventures.org/ and click on “Share Your Project.”
Park Hill July Events
Library Branch is at 4705 E. Montview Blvd.
All Ages Storytime Thursdays at 10:30 a.m.
Stories, songs, rhymes and fun for children of all ages and their parents or caregivers. Craft activity immediately follows the program.
Baby Storytime Thursdays and Fridays at 11:15 a.m.
Stories, songs, rhymes and fun for babies ages 0-18 months and their caregivers. Play and social time immediately follows the program.
Toddler Storytime Fridays at 10:30 a.m.
Stories, songs, rhymes and fun for toddlers ages 18-36 months and their caregivers.
Sock Puppets Craft Monday, July 1, 10:30 a.m.
Create a sock puppet and then be the star of your own theatre production. Ideal for 2-5 year olds.
The Edible Revolution Cooking Class Wednesday, July 3, 3 p.m.
This class covers cooking skills and how to shop followed by creating and tasting students’ own creations with recipes easily reusable at home. Class is limited to the first 25 children. Ideal for ages 8-12.
Kids’ Craft: Canvas Painting Friday, July 5, 3 p.m.
Be an artist! Discover your inner artist and create a painting on canvas.
Edible Insects for Teens Monday, July 8, 4:30 p.m.
Roughly 2 billion people around the world rely on insects as a food source. Edible insects are not only good for you, they are good for the planet. Come learn more about why and how you could add a sustainable and healthy protein to your diet. Samples available for those without shellfish allergies. Presented by Rocky Mountain Micro Ranch, Colorado’s first and only edible insect farm. *Ideal for ages 11-17.
Teen Advisory Board (TAB) Tuesday, July 9, 6 p.m.
Join the Park Hill TAB. Help plan events and projects, talk about your favorite books, music, movies and make your opinion count. Plus snacks. *Ideal for ages 13 and up.
Stuffed Animal Sleepover Party Tuesday, July 9, 6:30 p.m.
Wear your pajamas and bring your stuffed animal. You and your stuffed animal will watch a short movie, have a snack and other sleepover party fun. Enjoy a short bedtime storytime, then tuck your pal in for the night. The next day you will pick up your stuffed animal and find out if they stayed asleep all night or had some nocturnal adventures in the library.
Polar Bears, Penguins, and Snakes, Oh My! With Dr. Kevin Fitzgerald Wednesday, July 10, 3 p.m.
Dr. Kevin Fitzgerald, a veterinarian at Alameda East Veterinary Hospital as well as a star of two past Animal Planet programs, Emergency Vets and E-Vet Interns, will present, with videos of his work helping animals in the wild. Ideal for ages 9 and up.
Concert on the Lawn: Odessa Rose West Wednesday, July 10, 6:30 p.m.
Odessa Rose West is a Denver based Swing band whose influences include Django Reinhardt, Joe Venuti, The Hot Club of Cowtown, Duke Ellington, and Hank Williams. Bring a camp chair or a blanket and enjoy their unique sound on the lawn.
Kids’ Craft: Marble Run Friday, July 12, 3 p.m.
Be a designer! Build your own challenge course and create a game out of it.
DIY Umbrella Design Saturday, July 13, 3 p.m.
Be a designer! Design a unique umbrella to use for a rainy day. Ideal for ages 11 and up.
Denver Waste Management Compost Truck Visit Monday, July 15, 10:30 a.m.
We’ll start with a short storytime, then we will learn about recycling, composting, and trash in Denver from Denver Solid Waste Management staff members. Afterwards, there will be an opportunity to ask questions and watch a compost truck demonstration.
Kids’ Book Club Tuesday, July 16, 3:30 p.m.
This month’s book is The Littles by John Peterson. Activity: Make a little house out of a shoe box and small “borrowed” objects. Ideal for ages 6 to 9.
#ParkHillTalks Tuesday, July 16, 6:30 p.m.
#ParkHillTalks are small, conversational, community meetings facilitated by Park Hill Collective Impact where personal stories and experiences are shared with the purpose of cultivating change. Space is limited to keep each conversation small and comfortable for sharing, email tbannon@denverlibrary.org to RSVP.
Intro to Breakin’ Wednesday, July 17, 3 p.m.
Join Ian from The Bboy Factory dance studio for a class teaching Hip Hop dance, including agility, rhythm and coordination. Ideal for ages 6 and up; younger children accompanied by an adult.
Tween Book Club Thursday, July 18, 2 p.m.
First Rule of Punk by Celia C. Perez. Activity: Zines and Rock Band video game.
Kids’ Craft: Bristle Bot Friday, July 19, 3 p.m.
Be a robotics engineer! Build your very own robot and see how far it goes. Also play with our Sphero Robots and LittleBits electronic kits. Recommended for ages 8 and up. Younger children with hands on parental help.
Coloring for Grown Ups Saturday, July 20, 2:30 p.m.
Come for a nostalgic hour of coloring, in or outside the lines. Use our supplies to unplug and color your way to serenity.
Erica Sodos Summer Faerie Wednesday, July 24, 3 p.m.
The Summer Faerie, aka Erica Sodos, is emerging from the depths of Summer to share her magic with you. Come be enchanted in this super fun magic show, filled with abundant audience participation, amazing magic and fascinating stories from Faerieland.
WTF Comedy Workshop July 24, 25 and 26, 4:30-7 p.m. each day
The WTF (Women, Trans, Femme) workshop powered by GOLD Comedy is 100 percent girl-friendly (because comedy isn’t!), but not girl-ONLY. We want to expand, not exclude. We welcome comedy-curious people of all genders. Whether you want to AMPLIFY YOUR VOICE literally (with a mic) or figuratively (build confidence and authenticity), this series will get you there. Attendance at all three sessions is strongly encouraged to participate in the low-pressure but high-larious public performance on Saturday, July 27. Email tbannon@denverlibrary.org with any questions.
Kids’ Craft: Bubble Slime Friday, July 26, 3 p.m.
Meet us outside on the patio to make slime and use a straw to blow slime bubbles.
No Strings Attached Book Chat Saturday, July 27, 10:30 a.m.
Read whatever you want and attend whenever you can. Share a recent read, an old favorite, or anything in between.
WTF Comedy Showcase Saturday, July 27, 6 p.m.
Laugh and giggle at fresh jokes from truly new and original voices in this Showcase hosted by the brilliant Denver comedian Christie Buchele. Doors open at 5:30 p.m.
Galaxies on Plexiglas Craft Monday, July 29, 10:30 a.m.
Create your own galaxy with the colors that you love most. Ideal for 1-5 year olds.
Laughter Yoga Tuesday, July 30, 4 p.m.
Enjoy playful laughter exercises interspersed with gentle breathing and stretching. During this joyful practice, you’ll strengthen the immune system, increase tolerance to pain and combat the negative effects of stress. Simple, fun and accessible to people of all fitness levels.
Animal Expeditions with the Denver Zoo Wednesday, July 31, 3 p.m.
Learn about different habitats by exploring the world and learning about animals’ food, water, shelter and space.
My Teenage Angst Wednesday, July 31, 6:30 p.m.
Did you hold on to journals, yearbooks and notes from your teenage years? Megan Nyce invites you to dust them off and join her for a hilarious PG-13 trip down memory lane. Listen to friends and strangers read these keepsakes aloud and get to know your neighbors in a whole new way. Email tbannon@denverlibrary.org to sign up to read your journal aloud.