News Briefs
Bob Allen Memorial Set For Jan. 17
Friends and family will gather on Saturday, Jan. 17 to celebrate the life of Robert (Bob) Allen. A Park Hill fixture for nearly five decades, Allen served in the state house, state senate, was a lawyer, professor, social activist, husband, and father. He passed away at home on Nov. 22. The service will begin at 3 p.m. at the First Unitarian Society of Denver, at 1400 Lafayette St.
In a lengthy profile in the October, 2011 issue of the Greater Park Hill News, Art Rosenblum detailed many of Allen’s contributions. From the article:
“[Bob and his wife Gerry Allen] moved to Park Hill after [Bob] ended his legendary career in the Colorado General Assembly, where he translated his humanistic and progressive values into law. Under Senator Bob’s leadership, in 1953, Colorado repealed the 1862 law that made it illegal for a white person to marry a black person or a person of mixed color. As shocking as it is to learn that such a law still existed in the middle of the Twentieth Century, it’s even more alarming to learn that the law was actually enforced. Until the law was repealed, county clerks did not issue marriage licenses to multi-racial couples in Denver or Colorado and out-of-state mixed marriages were not recognized here.
“The pinnacle of Senator Bob’s legislative career and probably the most influential piece of legislation in Colorado to advance the cause of civil rights was the Allen sponsored Colorado Fair Housing Act of 1959. This legislation, the first of its kind in the United States, very simply made it a misdemeanor to refuse to sell a home to anyone in the state because of their race … Without this legislation, integrated neighborhoods, neighborhoods like Park Hill, could not exist.”
Blessed Sacrament Marks 92 Years in Park Hill
Blessed Sacrament Catholic School at 1973 Elm St., has been part of the Park Hill community for over 92 years Established by the Sisters of Loretto in 1922, Blessed Sacrament was founded on the values of academic scholarship, community service and faith development and still follows those values today.
BSCS currently serves almost 400 students in Park Hill and neighboring communities, including Stapleton. It is oriented to Catholics and open to non-Catholics, and includes preschoolers, Kindergarteners and 1st through 8th grade students.
The preschool program accepts students as young as 2 ½ and offers part-time and full-time programs for each age group. 1st through 8th grade students consistently test at least one grade level above average. BSCS is also focused on developing the whole child. Starting in 5th grade, students organize and develop multiple service projects including a canned food drive, shoe drives for underprivileged children, and collecting toiletries and clothing for local homeless shelters. These projects teach the students an awareness of the world outside of their small community, and also leadership and other intangible skills.
Blessed Sacrament is having an open house for elementary and middle school students Tuesday, Jan. 27 beginning at 6:30pm. Call Melinda at 303-777-8835 for more information.
Shumway Gets a Gold Star
Park Hill resident Jacqui Shumway has been awarded the 2014 Gold Star Champions of Service awards in recognition of outstanding service contributions in the field of health, fitness and sports.
The National Association for Health and Fitness honored Shumway for her work with PTSD victims (specifically from the Aurora Theater shooting) and Tai Chi. In addition she was recognized for her school board campaigns that led to the passage of the 2012 Mill Levy dedicating tax dollars to Art, Music, and Physical Fitness in Denver Public Schools, and her promotion of bikeable/walkable community activities.
Jacqui was presented her award by Shellie Pfohl, Executive Director of the President’s Council on Sports, Fitness, and Nutrition and NAHF President Diane Hart at the NAHF Annual Meeting in Orlando, Florida in November.
Montview: Make A Half-Century of Memories
Fifty years ago three women started Montview Community Preschool. They all had children preschool age and were passionate about their philosophy, that children should be valued and that the early years are important.
Now 50 years later, Montview Community preschool and kindergarten is still a place where children are valued and the early years of development are important.
To celebrate this milestone, Montview is collecting memories and photos to make a commemorative scrapbook covering the last 50 years. Do you have fond memories of a specific teacher or activity? As a parent, do you remember funny stories about your child’s time at Montview? Is there anything about the feel and smell of the building that makes you nostalgic? Do you have any photos that you would be willing to scan and send in for our scrapbook?
Please help us collect these valuable memories to help us paint a picture of what Montview Preschool was like over the last 50 years. Write your stories or scan your photos and send them to 50years@Montviewpreschool.org or come by for a visit and drop off your written stories at 1980 Dahlia St.
As part of the celebration there will be a dinner for all staff alumni on May 1. If you have worked at Montview School, please contact us, so that we can send you an invitation for the dinner.
Free Tax Help Available
Families earning less than $52,000 and single filers earning less than $35,000 can qualify for free tax-filing help. A new drop-off/pick-up site is at 3399 Holly St., Suite #130, inside Vickers Boys & Girls Club in Northeast Park Hill, just down the hallway from the Mi Casa Innovation Lab. The location will be open Jan. 29 through April 2, every Thursday from noon to 4 p.m. Visit www.DenverABC.org or call (303) 388-7030 to learn more and find a location nearest you.