News in Brief
GREAT DENVER CLEAN-UP RESULTS
GPHC disseminated free neighborhood cleanup supplies from the Keep Denver Beautiful program, which were put to good use in the Park Hill neighborhood. GPHC Treasurer Tracey MacDermott reported that her household cleaned-up the area from Colfax to 17th to Cherry to Clermont, with Batavia and 16th Avenue in between, as well as the two alleys that sit off of Cherry and Clermont. They picked up a total of 3 bags of recyclables and 1 bag of trash, and also bagged about 18 bags of leaves and debris from the alleys. To learn more about the program, visit denvergov.org/kdb.
PURGE THE SPURGE
Denver Parks and Recreation is warning residents to aggressively remove the noxious Myrtle spurge weed. The weed is a low growing perennial with trailing fleshy stems which spreads rapidly to surrounding areas and can “jump the fence” to natural areas to displace native vegetation and reduce forage for wildlife. Hand pulling and digging are effective methods used to control this plant in addition to herbicide applications. Contact the Denver Natural Areas Program for more information at 720-913-0644.
VENTURE PREP SENIORS
Venture Prep’s graduation on May 31st saw the matriculation of 41 seniors with 100% college acceptance, $1.5 million in scholarship money and 3 Daniels Scholarship Recipients. For more information, visit ventureprep.org.
STEDMAN GARDEN VOLUNTEERS NEEDED
Taking Neighborhood Health to Heart needs volunteers to work the community garden that has been established at the southeast corner of the Stedman Elementary School at 29th and Dahlia. Last year’s produce production was successful and beneficial to those who worked the garden and live in the community. If you would like to share a few hours of work at the garden or need more information, please call 720-436-4321.
DAY CAMP FOR NE PARK HILL YOUTH
Hiawatha Davis Recreation Center, Pauline Robinson Library and the Jack Vickers Boys & Girls Club are offering a free summer day camp for Northeast Park Hill youth ages 9 to 17 from June 10 -July 19, Monday through Thursday, 10am-4pm. The program is supported through Denver’s 2A Service Investment Funds. Activities include sports, swimming, arts, education, leadership, field trips and workshops. Lunch and snack provided. Spots are filling quickly. Contact Jason Torrez for more information at jasont@bgcmd.org or call 303-446-6786.
BLUFF LAKE JUNIOR NATURALISTS
Bluff Lake Nature Center’s Junior Naturalist Summer Day Camps in Denver feature three 3 fun themes: Take Flight!, Dig Deep! and Dive In!. Children ages 6-12 will get to use their imaginations and explore the world of flying, digging and diving animals all while in an outdoor classroom, becoming Junior Naturalists in the process. Activities include presentations from science experts and nature-related hands-on games and crafts. Campers will also get time to cool off in Sand Creek and make new friends. Visit blufflakenaturecenter.org for more information.
PROJECT GREER STREET
Project Greer Street, an educational enrichment program for African-American males launched by Park Hill’s Yvette Sally and Ronald Sally, has two more success stories. East High School sophomores Nasir Little and Ray Pryor have been selected to attend summer college preparatory programs. Little will attend the Junior State of America program hosted at Stanford University, a three-week residential program with a focus on critical thinking, debate and team building skills and enhanced academic performance. Pryor will attend the Telluride Association Sophomore Seminar Program at the University of Michigan at Ann Arbor. For more information on the program, contact projectgreerstreet@gmail.com.
LIQUOR POLICY REVISIONS
In 2012, the Department of Excise and Licenses convened an external committee to review and revise the Policies and Procedures pertaining to Liquor, 3.2 Beer and Cabaret Licenses. The Committee’s final draft was released in March of this year for public review and comment. A public hearing was held on May 9th, 2013, attended by Greater Park Hill Community Zoning Co-Chair, Bernadette Kelly, including other Registered Neighborhood Organization representatives and business owners. Attendees shared their comments on the draft policies and procedures in a formal discussion. The department was still accepting comments until 10 days following the hearing and will take all comments into consideration in forming the final policies and procedures. The final document is to be posted to their website in the near future. These revised policies will remain in effect until a new web based information system is in place (approximately one year).
FUNDRAISER FOR CRIME VICTIMS
On June 8, July 6 and August 31, T Mar Entertainment Charitable Concert Series is hosting the Summer Sizzler featuring Tarell Martin and Pg. 6ix to help benefit The Denver Center for Crime Victims (DCCV). The DCCV provides 24-hour crisis intervention and trauma recovery services to victims of crime in Denver. Jazz at Jack’s in the downtown Denver Pavilions, is donating their venue to host these nights of music that will feature star talent as well as support a great agency’s efforts to continue to provide high-quality service to the Children Youth and Family Program and help make a profound difference in the lives of crime victims in our community. Tickets are $10 in advance, $15 the day of the show. For more information, contact Nikki Johnson at 720-296-1469.
DEC ENERGY LOANS
The Denver Energy Challenge is continuing its energy loan program, started in August 2012. Loans are available to finance over 40 residential and commercial energy efficiency measures, such as whole house evaporative coolers and Energy Star-rated central air conditioning units. Funds are offered at competitive interest rates starting at 2.75% for residents and 3.75% for businesses with no early payment penalties, giving residents and businesses the flexibility to make desired or necessary upgrades when they want; and for years to come. Since the loan program launched in 2012 the Denver Energy Challenge has loaned over $520,000 dollars to Denver residents and businesses. For more information, or to contact an advisor at the City and County of Denver, call 720-865-5520 or visit denverenergy.org.
HEALTH PROGRAM SURVEY
Park Hill’s Joe Brady and Jacqui Shumway, directors of the Living Younger Longer Institute and the Tai Chi Project, will conduct a survey of successful health promotion programs in the Park Hill area this summer. They will present their findings to the 10th Annual International Conference on Health, Nursing, Aging and Nutrition this August at the University of Oxford, U.K. They are conducting interviews with community health promotion programs in the Park Hill area to uncover best practices and barriers for providing effective health education programs. To participate, contact The Tai Chi Project at 303-744-7676 or 303-744-7676 or taichiproj@earthlink.net.
HOST AN UP WITH PEOPLE CAST MEMBER
Local families in the Denver area are being sought to host Up With People international cast members between July 12- August 12, with a two-week option. Host families are asked to provide a bed, local transportation at the beginning and end of each day, as well as breakfast and most dinners. While gone during the day, participating in regional learning, community service and show preparation, most evenings cast members will be home with the family to participate in their activities and interests. Up with People’s newest production Voices, will be held at the Pinnacle Charter School Performing Arts Complex on August 10 at 7:30. Contact Abby Hull at ahull@upwithpeople.org or 720-215-3209.
COOPERATIVE GROCERY PLANNING
The Sunshine Project community potlucks will continue through the summer on the third Tuesday of each month at 6:30 p.m. A survey is still open, in English and Spanish, for neighbors’ feedback on the proposed cooperative grocery store, greenhouse and garden at 35th and Albion. To get involved, visit thegarden-parkhill.com/events/sunshine.